East Hamilton’s Hunter Parker had a two-run single in the
second inning and threw out a runner from left field in the fourth to help the
Tennessee All-Stars defeat their Georgia counterparts, 4-0, in the 13th annual
Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Baseball Classic at McCallie Wednesday night.
The victors extended the lead to 4-0 in the fifth on back-to-back
RBI singles by Tyner’s Chae Butler and Coffee County’s Peyton Meeker driving in
Hunter Owen (East Hamilton) and Christian Burnette (McCallie) who had singled earlier
in the inning.
Tennessee leads the series, 12-1
“There is good talent on both teams so we have to give
credit to our pitching staff which allowed only five hits (and no runner past
second) and struck out four,” said Parker who was selected as the game Most
Valuable Player and will play baseball at Chattanooga State next year.
“I am fortunate to be able to play at the next level and
also at a college where my family can watch our games.”
While the Tennessee offense produced 13 hits to five for
Georgia, the Tennessee defense played a key part in the win.
A 5-4-3 double play ended the Georgia second, another double
play came in the eighth and a hustling, running catch by first baseman Caden
Ricketts (Soddy Daisy) ended the Georgia third with runners on first and
second.
Best Defensive Plays: While Parker threw out a runner from left, his EH teammate
Hunter Owen made the throw of the day in the fifth - a one hopper to third from
deep right field to cut down Hunter Smith (Adairsville) who had tagged from
second on the long fly out.
Pitching: Tennessee opened with Elliott Dockery (McCallie)
who pitched two scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout. Six more
Tennessee players took the mound after Dockery including Cole Songer (McCallie)
and Christian Amos (Soddy Daisy) who had 1-2-3 innings in the seventh and
ninth, respectively.
"We hit the ball well and had good pitching which was key," said Tennessee coach Greg Payne (McCallie) with a smile.
Georgia Player of the Game: Pitcher Ryan Parker (Heritage)
had a single and got out of a jam in the third as he struck out three sandwiched
around a single and an infield error. He also had a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth. Parker will head to Ole Miss in the fall.
Tennessee Player of the Game: Nathan Murrell (Boyd-Buchanan)
had two singles in three at bats and scored what proved to be the winning run
in the second inning. He is playing for the Dalton Tigers this summer and will
play for Lee University next year.
Tennessee 4, Georgia 0
Ga. 000 000 000 – 0-5-1
Tenn 020 020 00x – 4-13-1
WP – Elliott Dockery (McCallie) IP (2), Walks -1, Ks -1 Hits
– 0, Runs - 0
LP – Garrett Rutledge (Cartersville) IP (2) Runs – 2, ER –
2, Hits – 3, Walks - 2, Ks - 0
Multiple Hits: Tennessee – Nathan Murrell (Boyd Buc), 2
singles; John Simmons (Walker Valley) double, single
Doubles: John Simmons (Walker Valley), Logan Blackwell
(Bradley Central)
Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net