by B.B. Branton
posted May 10, 2008
Brentwood Academy had played seven games in seven days entering today’s TSSAA D-II sectional baseball game against host McCallie, while the Blue Tornado had had two days off.
Yet, this afternoon visiting Eagle bats were anything but weary as Jordan Jones and Mason Graham – the Nos. 3 and 4 hitters – combined for six hits, four RBIs and three runs as Brentwood Academy defeated McCallie, 6-4. The Eagles totaled 10 hits on the day.
Eagle starter Ben LePere (5-4) went 6.2 innings, scattering eight hits and allowed three earned runs.
Both teams will compete in next weekend’s sub state in Memphis as the Eagles play at Evangelical Christian, while 2007 state runner-up McCallie is at defending state champion Christian Brothers
The two teams matched run for run in the first five innings with three tie scores and one lead change for a 4-4 score. The Eagles took the lead for good at 5-4 in the sixth on an RBI double by Graham. Then they added an insurance run in the seventh as Jacob Stallings reached on an error and later scored on a wild pitch.
The Blue Tornado threatened in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with two outs on a walk to Matt Vischetti and consecutive singles by Alex Burd and Taylor Smith.
Stallings then relieved LePere and earned a save with a ground out to end the game
“Too little, too late for us today,’’ said McCallie coach Chris Richardson. “You have to give Brentwood Academy credit for a good offense.’’
Eagles coach also pointed to his team’s timely hitting.
“Our strength has been our offense all season and it came through again today,’’ said Brentwood Academy coach Buddy Alexander who announced a much needed two days off for the team in a post-game meeting.
“The guys need a break after all these games in the last eight days to prepare for next week’s sub-state in Memphis,’’ said Alexander.
Out of a Jam: The Eagles loaded the bases in the top of the first with one out, but McCallie starter Taylor Smith (7-2) used a pitcher-to-catcher play and an infield fly to end the threat … Graham’s one out double accounted for the run.
In the fourth, McCallie’s Smith struck out three, but also allowed the Eagles to load the bases on two walks and a single, but no runs scored.
B.A. escaped in the aforementioned bottom of the seventh with bases loaded and two outs before a game-ending ground out.
Brentwood Academy 6, McCallie 4
Brentwood Acad. - 101 021 1 – 6-10-3
McCallie - 101 200 0 – 4-8-2
LePere, Stallings (7) and Stallings; Smith, Brookshire (5) and Vischetti
WP – Ben LePere (5-4); LP – Taylor Smith (7-2)
Strikeouts: McC – Smith (5), Brooshire (2); B.A. – None
Earned Runs Allowed: McC (4), B.A. (4)
Hitting: B.A. – Jordan Jones (3-for-4, 1 RBI, HR, Double, 2 runs), Mason Graham (3-for-4, 2 Doubles, 3 RBIs, 1 run), Andy Lennington (2-for-4), McCallie – Guerin Higgins (2-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI), John Brock (1-for-2, 1 run, 1 RBI), Stuart Voges (Single, 1 run), James Campbell (Single, 1 run).
Stolen Bases: B.A. – Mason Graham
Double Plays: Bay (1)
Runners Left on Base: McC (7), Bay (9)
Records: Brentwood Academy (20-14); McCallie, 25-10
Time of Game: 2:01
Next Game: 5/16 … Sub-state – McCallie at Christian Brothers; Brentwood Academy at Evangelical Christian
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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