‘These kids did it’
ACHS takes second in district to advance
Maverick junior Gavin Hill races for home while Clinton’s Jayce Mack waits for a throw during play Saturday. (photo:Ken Leinart )
The message was to the 2022 senior class. That group of seniors led the Mavericks to last year’s state sectional round and a region title.
“After the game, I sent a text to last year’s seniors, thanking them for laying the foundation for these guys,” Boynton said.
“A couple of them are on our coaching staff now,” Boynton said after the Mavericks finished as runner-up in the district tournament Saturday afternoon at Clinton High School’s Jaycee Park. “There wasn’t much expected from these guys (the 2023 team) after all we lost, but these kids did it.”
Next up for ACHS (21-14) is a trip to the double-elimination Region 2-AAA Tournament at Gibbs High School in Corryton.
The Mavs will play the host Eagles, who won the District 3-AAA Tournament, Friday at 5 p.m. at Steve Hunley Field.
Despite losing the District 4-AAA championship game to Knoxville Halls 7-1, the Mavericks had to come back through the losers’ bracket to reach the title tilt and a return trip to the regionals with a 7-6 victory over rival Clinton early Saturday.
Anderson County used a six-run third inning to take a 7-1 lead before having to hang on for the one-run victory.
Gavin Hill sparked the Mavericks’ offense as he had three hits and two RBIs.
Mo White started on the mound and picked up the win as he pitched six innings and surrendered two earned runs and struck out three.
Mason Lively pitched the seventh and earned the save.
Anderson County opened tournament play with a 6-1 loss to the Red Devils on Thursday.
The Mavs managed just six hits in that contest and fell into the losers’ bracket early.
ACHS bounced back with a 10-0 victory to eliminate Scott Friday night as freshman Daniel Unthank pitched a complete-game one-hit shutout.
Unthank also drove in a pair of runs. He had a big tournament at the plate as he drove in seven runs for Anderson County.