TSSAA Spring Fling top moments: Grayson King hurls shutout, Riverdale baseball stays alive
Riverdale pitcher Grayson King wasn't overly nervous about hurling an elimination game in the Class 4A state baseball tournament Wednesday.
King tossed a complete-game four-hitter, walking just one and striking out seven in a 2-0 win over Hendersonville at Siegel to keep the Warriors alive.
"There's a lot of pressure, but you just have to calm yourself down, relax, play the game and win every pitch," said King, who has allowed just one run in his last two outings (including a Region 4-4A title game). "We had a two-hour delay, but I felt really good, very comfortable with my pitches."
The Warriors (25-16) are scheduled to play Collierville in a losers bracket contest at 10 a.m. Thursday. The winner will reach the bracket finals vs. Houston at 4.
Riverdale scored all the runs it needed in the first inning, plating two on an RBI groundout and a solo homer by Bradley Pippin.
King took over the rest of the way as both teams struggled to mount a scoring threat after the first. Two of Riverdale's three hits came in the first inning, including a double and run scored by Michael McClellan.
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Beat goes on for Eagles
Eagleville's baseball team continued to steamroll postseason opponents, defeating Coalfield 13-0 in the winners bracket of the Class 1A state tournament Wednesday at Eagleville.
The win puts Eagleville (35-2) in the bracket final at 4 p.m. Thursday against the winner of Thursday's Coalfield-Bradford matchup.
The Eagles (35-2) have outscored their two state tournament opponents, Coalfield and Bradford, by a combined 24-0.
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Eagleville has scored double-digit runs in all but two postseason games (a 1-0 win over Forrest in the 9-1A tourney and a 9-3 win over Forrest in the region finals).
The Eagles scored four runs in each in the first, third and seventh innings Wednesday. That was plenty of run support for starter Brayden Baker, who allowed just three hits over five shutout innings.
"Four-run innings were obviously the difference today," Eagleville coach Brandon Bassham said. "(Baker) continues to throw strikes and get outs. The defense played great behind him."
Baker and Mr. Baseball winner Nate Brewer each went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs in the win while Kolten Daniel went 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI, Brady Burns went 1-for-3 with three RBIs and Ben Thompson went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI.
Suspended Red Hawks
The Stewarts Creek-Powell 4A baseball tournament losers bracket game and the Stewarts Creek-Wilson Central 4A softball tournament losers bracket game were both suspended because of rain and will resume Thursday.
The Red Hawks (29-8) were leading Powell 2-0 heading to the bottom of the third. The game will resume at noon at Siegel High. The winner will play in the bracket final vs. Houston at 2 p.m. (with an if-necessary game following).
The Lady Red Hawks (29-11-1) and Wilson Central were tied 1-1 in the bottom of the third and will pick up from there on Thursday, with a time to be announced after field conditions are evaluated.
The Red Hawks fell into the losers bracket with a 10-7 loss to Houston. Robert Matano went 3-for-4 with three RBIs while Reggie Cooper went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs.
The Lady Red Hawks advanced in the losers bracket with a 3-0 win over Coffee County Wednesday, thanks to a seven-hit shutout by Grace Fujino. Hannah McMeen went 2-for-4 with a solo homer.
Patriots ousted in semis again
Oakland's soccer team had its season end in the state semifinals for the second straight season.
"This senior class led our program to new heights and standards," Oakland coach Jeff Porter said. "The quality of soccer they brought to the pitch has not only bettered Oakland soccer, but our entire district."
The Patriots allowed two quick goals late in the first half and lost 3-1 to Bearden.
The Patriots (19-3-1) scored their lone goal in the second half (Sammy Magana) after falling down 3-0.
Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: TSSAA Spring Fling top moments: Riverdale baseball stays alive
