Farragut knocks out Bearden, gets 10-inning win vs. HVA Monday
KNOXVILLE — Ending rival Bearden’s season while earning a Region 2-4A berth with a 10-2 victory Saturday afternoon, May 6, Farragut baseball (28-8) claimed a 10-inning 7-4 win against Hardin Valley Academy (27-4) in the District 4-4A title round Monday night, May 8, at UT’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium (see additional Monday night details in the related story to the left).
In the first game, the teams battled to a 4-4 tie after seven. FHS led 2-0 and 3-1, only to trail 4-3 after five.
In the sixth, Farragut head coach Matt Buckner pinch-hit Cooper Schulze, and Schulze promptly tied the game with a home run.
In the 10th, starting pitcher Jett Johnston, who threw three shutout innings then moved to third, hit a two-run homer on the first pitch. “Just looking for a pitch up and got it, crossing my letters,” Johnston said about the homer. “I had one play to do with that ball and that was to hit it out here, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Brennon Seigler later scored when a throw to second went into the outfield.
“I feel good about what our guys did,” coach Buckner said. “We played really good baseball for a long period of time. We had a bad inning (in game two). Probably cost us that game. But we’re right where we need to be moving forward. Two great teams, great atmosphere.”
The Region-2-4A tourney starts Friday, May 12. HVA travels to Oak Ridge while the Ads will play at Knoxville Central. A fifth meeting between the 4-4A foes would hardly be surprising a day later.
“This ain’t over,” Buckner said.
