Mavericks take journey to sectionals
Anderson County’s Wil Ridenour delivers a pitch against Gibbs in the Region 2-AAA tournament on Friday night. Ridenour worked five innings and faced 26 batters in the Mavericks’ 6-4 loss. Anderson County rebounded Saturday with a win over Seymour to advance to the Class AAA sectional series against defending state champion Greeneville. (photo:Ellie Hatmaker )
To make the state tournament, they will have to win a best-of-three series on the road against defending state champion Greeneville.
The series between Anderson County and the Greene Devils opens at 6 p.m. today, May 13.
The Mavericks, the District 4-AAA runners-up, opened regional tournament play with a 3-2 victory over District 3-AAA champion Seymour at Gibbs High School’s Morgan Wallen Field in Corryton.
Anderson County started fast, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning.
After the Eagles pulled within 2-1, the Mavericks scored the game-winning run in the top of the seventh. Seymour made things interesting in the bottom of the inning when it scored again.
ACHS leadoff man Nolan Benson went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run. Blake Lowe had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run.
Daniel Unthank singled and scored for the Mavericks.
On the mound, Kris Pelliccio started and pitched 6 1/3 innings. He gave up one run, two hits and four walks. He struck out eight.
Jeremiah Owens picked up the save as he recorded the final two outs. He allowed one run, two hits and two walks.
Anderson County lost the region championship game to Gibbs, falling 6-4 despite a home run and three RBIs from Owens. Benson singled and scored for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks bounced back to edge Seymour 6-4 to claim a runner-up finish and keep their season alive.
Owens and Jackson each blasted a home run, while Lowe doubled and scored.
Levi Skeen also doubled and scored, while Conner Dabney doubled and knocked in a run.
