Baseball Time in Tennessee!!!
Anderson County dropped its baseball season opener Monday, losing a 6-0 shutout at Karns. The Mavericks could only manage 3 hits against the Beavers, considered one of the top teams in the area.
AC saw excellent defensive plays. Third baseman Hudson Hartgrove dove for a sharply-hit grounder in the first inning with runners on first and second as he was able to tag third base to end retire the side.
Right fielder Luke Lowery was able to grab a Karns single in the fourth inning and throw the ball to second base where Haden Hartgrove made the putout.
AC starting pitcher Eli Varner went four and a third innings. While he allowed four runs, three hits and walked three, Varner struck out four with three of those coming on called third strikes.
The Mavs were scheduled to host the Beavers Tuesday and the home stand continues Thursday with a 5:30 p.m. contest against Pigeon Forge.
Other teams started their seasons as well, with the Lady Mavericks beating out Karns 15-5, with pitcher Reece Simpson gaining nine strikeouts across six innings, and Audrey Lankford batting four runners in. Across town, the Dragons lost their first true game of the season under Rob Stacy, losing out to 11-1 at Central High School. Colby Moody and Nathan Lee split pitching duties, with both finishing the night with a single strikeout and Moody finishing with seven first pitch strikes.