Ridenour, Bond lead Mavs to region title
Alex Bond earned the win over Cocke County on Friday night. Bond pitched seven innings for Anderson County, striking out eight batters and giving up only one run. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Mavericks claimed the title with a 2-1 road victory over tournament host and District 3-AAA champion Seymour on Monday night.
The Eagles outhit Anderson County (29-10) 6-5.
The Mavericks committed three errors, but once again, pitching paved the way to victory.
Anderson County, which also captured the District 4-AAA title with an undefeated tournament run, has now won five straight and nine of its last 10 games.
Wil Ridenour delivered ACHS’s fifth complete game of the postseason, tossing seven innings and allowing just one run and six hits. He struck out six.
“I knew that game against Seymour was going to be tough because they were at home and had a good crowd against Union County,” Mavericks Coach Josh Boynton said.
“But I told our coaches afterward that Seymour didn’t seem to have the same energy against us. Our pitching has carried us. It’s been great all year, but eventually, we’ve got to hit.”
Alex Bond led the offense, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Leadoff hitter Nolan Benson added a hit and an RBI, and Easton Beaty singled and scored.
The Mavericks opened Region 2-AAA tournament play Friday with an 8-1 win over District 3-AAA runner-up Cocke County.
Anderson County scored seven runs over the final two innings, including five in the bottom of the sixth to break the game open.
Bond started on the mound and turned in another dominant outing, going the distance and allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight.
“I felt really good going into the game with Cocke County,” Boynton said.
Benson sparked the offense from the top of the order, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base. Bond also had a big night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a sacrifice fly and three RBIs.
Trent Strickland doubled and scored, while Jeremiah Owens went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Anderson County opens a best-of-three Class 3A sectional series at home against Unicoi County today (May 14) at 6 p.m. Game 2 — and Game 3 if necessary — will be played Thursday.
