Young FHS arms big in S-Dean play
On top of having a talented freshman class, Farragut head coach Matt Bucker’s young players seem to be learning fast about the challenges of high school varsity baseball.
While regularly starting freshmen at second base, third base and center field, “We’ve thrown six freshmen the last two days. They’ve done a great job.” Buckner said after a 6-3 win versus Cleveland in the Scott Dean-5SP Memorial Baseball Classic Saturday, April 17, which included victories against Walker Valley (7-6) and White County (10-0) Friday, April 16.
Starter and winning pitcher Ben Johnson, a lefty, allowed no earned runs (two unearned), six hits and no walks with three strikeouts in five innings vs. CHS. Freshman reliever Braylon Hall worked the last two innings: one earned run, two hits, no walks.
The state top-ranked team, 4-1 in all Scott Dean games, entered the week 22-2 overall.
Freshman third baseman Landis Davila led off the fifth inning with a single and scored on Bryce Burkey’s second hit of the game, a single breaking a 2-2 tie. Tanner Kim then smacked a two-run homer.
Garrett Brewer, junior catcher, ripped his first career home run in the third inning, deep to left field, while collecting two hits. “He has been playing a good bit more and doing a good job,” Buckner said.
Kim walked and scored on Hunter Merrick’s RBI single in the fourth, making it 2-1 Admirals. Hudson Seigler added two singles while Lukas Buckner, freshman second baseman, also singled.
Against Walker Valley, three freshmen pitchers stood tall. Winning pitcher Eli Evans went two innings: one earned run, one hit and three strikeouts. Michael Delph worked two innings: one earned run, two hits and no walks with two strikeouts. Stratton Scott’s save was one inning of no hits, no walks and two strikeouts.
Parker Evans’ two hits and two RBI led the Ads’ offense.
