Dawgs see mixed results
After going 1-1 in District 4-4A last week — an 8-to-4 win over Hardin Valley and a 5-to-4 loss to William Blount — Bearden High School’s baseball team played four games in the 5 Star Preps/Scott Dean Tournament, which included a variety of teams from Tennessee and beyond.
“It was a back and forth game; we just didn’t get it done,” Bulldogs’ coach Dave Prichard said of the loss to the Governors. “We had guys on the bases all night long.”
Thursday, April 14, the Bulldogs (14-10) beat hometown Christian Academy of Knoxville, 6 to 5.
Evan Goins got the win for Bearden, giving up five runs and six hits in five innings. Brooks Wright hit a three-run home run in the third, and Braden Suggs got the save.
“It was a good win,” Prichard said. “I challenged them Wednesday night to come out and play better. We played well and came out with the win.”
Friday, April 15, Bearden fell 8 to 3 to Houston High School, from Germantown, which currently is the top-ranked team in the state.
“I felt like that was the best one through nine we’ve seen all year,” Prichard said. “We didn’t pitch very well, but Case Simpson came in and gave us a chance. We never could get on their guy late.”
The Mustangs scored seven runs in the third inning.
“Big innings kill you,” Prichard said. “We just couldn’t get off the field (in the third).”
In their first game Saturday, April 16, the Bulldogs fell to Chattanooga McCallie, 6 to 3.
Bearden took a 3-to-2 lead into the sixth on Wright’s homer but couldn’t hold on. McCallie’s starter is committed to the University of Florida.
“We did a pretty decent job with (McCallie’s pitcher),” Prichard said. “We hit some balls hard right at some people.”
Carson Cooper struck out seven for Bearden in six innings, giving up three runs.
“Their guy got stronger as the game went on and struck us out 10 times,” Prichard said.
The Bulldogs got back on the winning track, 6 to 3 over Bradley-Central High School to wrap up the tournament. Bearden scored three in the sixth to pull away.
Suggs got the win, giving up one earned run on four hits in six innings with four strikeouts.
Luke Seagrist went deep for Bearden with a two-run homer in the second.
“I think we had a good showing against good competition,” Prichard said. “Gonna try to turn it up now against the district competition.”
