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Baseball Ads’ ‘Voice’ gets ’box name

In his 21st year of service to FHS baseball, Skinner has pressbox named in his honor

April 18, 2019 by Alan Sloan

“The Voice of Admirals Baseball” Ralph Skinner, holding granddaughter, Mabry Skinner, 2, enjoyed a special day with his family at The Ballpark at Farragut/John Heatherly Field Saturday afternoon, April 13. Following the Admirals’ 11-6 baseball victory against Knoxville Catholic in the DeMarini-Diamond Academy Baseball Classic, FHS Dugout Club officials led a ceremony honoring Skinner, a program volunteer for 21 years, announcing the naming of Ralph Skinner Pressbox, which has been enclosed with air conditioning within the past 18 months. Joining Skinner was his wife, Susie Skinner, left, with granddaughter, Isabella Skinner, 4. To Skinner’s left are Chariti Skinner, daughter-in-law, and sons, Mark Skinner, left, (Chariti’s husband and the girls’ father), and Andrew Skinner.

Motivated by his self-proclaimed “love of baseball,” and equal love for hundreds who have bled Diamond Admirals Navy blue for 21 years, Ralph Skinner’s thousands of volunteer hours with Farragut High School baseball has paralleled the program’s explosive success dating back to 1999.

That’s when Skinner —“Voice of Admirals Baseball” as public address voice since 2001 and as play-by-play voice on WUCP-FM 99.9 since 2006 — saw oldest son, Mark, begin as a freshman first baseman under then head coach Tommy Pharr.

Two grown sons and two grandchildren later, Skinner and wife, Susie Skinner — herself a beloved assistant softball coach at Webb School of Knoxville — were among three generations on hand as Admirals Nation gave something back to “The Voice.”

Despite family health worries, Pence smacks ‘slam’ in Ads’ win

April 18, 2019 by Ken Lay

Adam Birkholz, Farragut junior southpaw, fires plateward during the Admirals’ DeMarini-Diamond Academy Baseball Classic game versus Knoxville Catholic at The Ballpark at Farragut/John Heatherly Field Saturday, April 13. Birkholz helped limit the Irish offense, though KCHS did score 6 runs in an 11-6 loss to the Ads.

When Farragut High School sophomore second baseman Angus Pence went to the ballpark Saturday morning, April 13, he did so with a heavy heart: his grandfather was hospitalized with heart problems.

Pence was a late scratch from the starting lineup for the Admirals’ showdown with Knoxville Catholic in the DeMarini-Diamond Academy Baseball Classic.

But he would come off the bench — and when he did, Pence wasted little time making a huge impact.

In his first at-bat in the bottom of the fourth inning, Pence clubbed a grand slam to help lift the Admirals to an 11-6 victory over the Irish at John Heatherly Field/the Ballpark in Farragut. After his home run cleared the fence, Pence pointed to the sky.

Duplicate effort score-wise leaves FHS softball 1st in 4-AAA

April 18, 2019 by Ken Lay

HARDIN VALLEY — Farragut High School moved into sole possession of first place in the District 4-AAA softball standings with an impressive 10-2 road victory over Hardin Valley Academy — the second 10-2 win against the Lady Hawks in six days — Thursday, April 11.

The Lady Ads received production from up and down the lineup. But on this night it was a pair of freshmen who shined brightest.

Center fielder Ace Strickland went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a stolen base and two RBI.

Soccer Ads end drought 6-0

April 18, 2019 by Ken Lay

Nathan Miller of Farragut, right, and Hardin Valley Academy’s Zander Bolas come shoulder-to-shoulder looking to control the ball during this District 4-AAA showdown at HVA Thursday, April 11. The Ads blanked the Hawks 6-0.

Timi Omitaomu is one of Knox County’s most versatile high school soccer players, which enables Farragut head coach Ray Dover to play him on any third of the field.

Omitaomu, a sophomore, is truly a jack of all trades for the Admirals, and he has a passion for the game. But he really loves to play forward.