CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Walker Valley got a third straight starting pitching performance Friday as it handed McMinn County a second District 5-4A loss to tighten the race considerably.
"Another incredible start from our starter," proclaimed Mustang wrangler Wes Anderson of the 6-2 victory, at Olympic Field, at Larry Carpenter Stadium.
"'CP' (Conner Phillips) controlled the game start to finish," he said of the 92-pitch complete-game performance by the senior lefty.
Phillips struck out five, walked just one and gave up just one earned run.
The rubber game of the key District 5-4A three-game set, that had to endure a pair of rain out, give Walker Valley series.
The Cherokees won the opener Monday by a 1-0 margin in eight innings in a classic pitcher's duel between Cincinnati signee Ty Barnett and Carson-Newman bound Braxton Smith.
The Herd got revenge on Wednesday in Athens with an 8-2 win behind the strength of a four-hitter by Titus Torbett.
"So proud of these guys. Couple really solid wins against a great opponent," praised Coach Anderson. "The way things have gone to begin this year, how they’ve continued to battle and respond I’m very proud."
Only allowing the powerful McMinn lineup just five runs in 22 innings was a chore as the Tribe has put eight or more runs on the scoreboard eight times this season.
The outcome puts McMinn (12-9, 4-2 District 5-4A) in a situation that if Cleveland (12-9, 4-1) completes the sweep of Rhea County Friday evening, then the Blue Raiders will take over the top spot, with Walker Valley (7-13, 3-3) right on their heels.
The Cherokees and Raiders will tangle next week in the final three-game district series of the regular season, while the Mustangs and Rhea County (3-13, 0-5) will also battle.
Walker Valley opened the scoring with a 3-spot in the bottom of the second.
Michael Pledge opened the rally with a single before being bunted to second. After a strike out, Jordan Smith reached on a two-base error, that allowed Pledge to complete the circuit.
Braxton Smith then laced a RBI-double, before Felipe Castellanos plated him with a single.
McMinn got a run back in the top of the third when Mason Roderick, also a Carson-Newman signee, ripped a two-out single to score Luke Lawson, who had walked.
A two-out Tribe error allowed the Herd to ad two more runs in the fourth frame. Jordan Smith opened the at bat with a double, while Castellanos drew a one-out walk.
After ground out couldn't be turned into a double play, Phillips hit a hot shot the was muffed by the McMinn shortstop to bring in the runs.
A single by Alabama commit Brooks Berry and a double by Roderick to open the sixth gave the boys from Athens their only other score, while Walker valley answered with a RBI-double by Carson Minnix in the bottom of the inning.
Minnix went 2-for-4 in the eight-hit Mustang effort, while Castellanos reached four times with a pair of walks, a hit and was "plunked."
The Tribe also knocked out eight hits, with Roderick going 3-for-3, while Reese Frazier was 2-for-3.
Game Summary
District 5-4A
Friday, April 12
at Larry Carpenter Stadium
McMinn County 001 001 0 — 2 8 3
Walker Valley 030 201 x — 6 8 1
Goodner, Roderick (6) and H. McDonald; Phillips and J. Smith.
WP: Conner Phillips. LP: Marshall Goodner.
Records: McMinn County 12-9, 4-2 District 5-4A; Walker Valley 7-13, 3-3 District 5-4A.