MEMPHIS - They quieted the nay-sayers by winning their region
tournament, and on Tuesday afternoon, the McCallie Blue Tornado solidified
their agenda of winning games in the postseason with a convincing 7-0
Spring Fling win over Father Ryan School.

"Our defense was amazing," McCallie's Tanner Moore said after the game.

The acrobatic infield turned four double plays in the shutout victory
behind a strong pitching performance from senior ace Charles Williams.

Williams only struck out two, and he even allowed seven hits, but no
damage was done to either the scoreboard or his ERA.

"It was not my best effort," Williams said.

Williams and the Tornado escaped danger on several occasions, most
notably when they faced Father Ryan's #3 batter with bases loaded and
only one out. Williams forced the double play ground out, however, and
no runs scored.

"Josh (McKinney) has been playing awsome at second," Moore said. "It's the best I've ever seen him play."

Bart Roark made the highlight reel in the game with a diving stop at
third base that he converted to an out, saving a hit and maybe a run.

"I wasn't nervouse," Williams said. "The defense definately
picked me up."

Hitting production was spread for the Tornado. Moore was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Williams was 2-for-3 with a double. Danny Lawrence was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Also picking up RBI were Andrew Brock, Josh McKinney, and A.J.
Buniack, who did not have an official at bat in the game. Buniack's RBI
came on a suicide squeeze play.

"It's a great feeling," said Williams. "If we had lost we'd have to
play tonight, and you don't want to play a double in the state
tournament. People didn't think we'd get here. They thought we were
too young. Now we're just representing Chat-town."

The Tornado will play on Wednesday afternoon at noon central against
Christian Brothers School, which picked up a double digit win in their
first game of the tournament.

"It was tough to get here," Moore said. "We played (Christian
Brothers) last year and they were amazing. From what I've heard
they've lost a little bit since last year, and from what we saw MBA
sort of quit on them today. We just have to hit the ball and play good
defense."

Matt Wilson, a junior, pitched
the seventh inning for McCallie.

Box Score:
McCallie - 041 100 X 7 9 1
Father Ryan - 000 000 0 0 7 3

Email Nate at JumblingNate@gmail.com