Eagles stunned
Mavericks claim District 4-AAA lead
Hunter Brummett steals home on a Smoky Bears miscue in the bottom of the fifth inning of Friday night’s home game against Sevier County. The Mavericks had 12 hits in the game and won the matchup 15-7. (photo:Tony Cox )
Anderson County had perhaps the toughest draw out of the gate, opening its district schedule with a two-game set against defending district champion Gibbs.
Initially, Mavericks Coach Josh Boynton wasn’t thrilled about seeing the Eagles first. But when Anderson County left Corryton on Tuesday, March 25, with a series sweep in hand, his tune had changed.
“We draw numbers in our district to see when we play each other, and I didn’t like it when I found out we were going to have to play Gibbs first,” Boynton said. “You don’t want to overlook anybody.”
While Boynton is taking nothing for granted against Clinton, Union County, Scott or Cumberland Gap, the Mavs and Eagles are widely considered the district’s frontrunners.
“Now that we’ve played them, I’m glad we got them early,” he said. “I know we didn’t see their best arm. And I think it’s better that we got them early. (Gibbs Coach) Geff (Davis) does a great job.”
Anderson County swept the Eagles, claiming a 12-2, six-inning win at home on March 24 before taking a 5-3 decision on the road the next day.
The Mavs (11-4 overall, 2-0 in the district) went a perfect 7-0 last week and captured their division of the ETBCA Tournament.
In the opener against Gibbs, leadoff hitter Nolan Benson went 3-for-5 with a double, three runs scored and three RBIs. Easton Beaty finished 2-for-3 with a triple, two runs and two RBIs.
Trent Strickland added two hits, including a double, and drove in a pair.
Clay Fletcher started on the mound and pitched four innings, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks while striking out five.
Beaty closed the game, tossing the final two innings with one walk and three strikeouts.
In Game 2, Wil Ridenhour threw a complete game, giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk. He struck out five and also contributed offensively with a double and an RBI.
Jeremiah Owens went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Alex Bond was 2-for-4 with a run, and Reece Wilkerson collected two hits and drove in a run.
On Thursday, Anderson County downed Knoxville West 6-2.
Benson went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run. A.J. Colorusso singled and scored twice and also started on the mound, striking out 11 over six innings. Beaty pitched the seventh to seal the win.
Friday brought a 15-7 slugfest win over Sevier County. Beaty went 2-for-3 with a home run, double, three RBIs and a run scored. Benson went 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs. Strickland had two hits, a double, a run and four RBIs.
Later that day, Colorusso led the Mavericks past McEwen with two doubles, three RBIs and a run in an 11-1 victory.
On Saturday, the Mavs added two more wins.
They defeated Macon County 5-1 behind a 3-for-3 performance from Beaty, who homered.
Anderson County wrapped up tournament play with an 11-0 rout of Riverside. Blake Lowe homered, and freshman Reese Young threw a three-hit shutout.
