We had two events in the Knoxville and Maryville area this weekend, June 18-20. UT Summer Slam (14u) and the East TN Super Qualifier (15u). The championship teams were: Crusaders Baseball (14u) and East TN Yankees (15u). Great job, guys!
Saturday, June 19, 2021
The King’s Academy 3:45 PM
Madison County Sluggers vs BC Athletics Middle TN
The Sluggers jumped on the board against the Athletics early in this game. After giving up one run to the Athletics in the top of the first, the Sluggers plated five runs, two coming off of a double by C. Spivey. N. Wethington looked good for the Sluggers, pitching well and only allowing the runs to score off of early walks in the inning. Wethington was throwing a slider that had a ton of break outside against righties, and it was a sight to see. With the lead at 11-2 going into the fifth, it looked like the Sluggers were trying to save some pitching arms as A. Hess was getting beat up, allowing seven hits and five runs in his two innings on the mound. The Sluggers ultimately ended up holding on for the victory.
Sluggers: 13
BC Athletics: 7
Saturday, June 19, 2021
The King’s Academy 6:00 PM
Pro Hitting Prospects vs East TN Yankees 15U
The Yankees had the sticks rolling today, but despite tallying over 10 hits as a team, the runs were limited. M. Meade got things started early as he doubled to start the first inning for the Yankees, and later came around to score. B. Hamilton came in to pitch for the Yankees in the fourth inning and he was pumping gas on the mound, with a couple of pocket radars touching 90. Once Hamilton came into the game for the Yankees, the Prospects were held in check, not scoring a single run.
East TN Yankees: 5
Pro Hitting Prospects: 4
Sunday, June 20, 2021
The King’s Academy 9:00 AM
Rawlings Cruisers vs BC Athletics
Despite seeing their five-run lead whittled down by the end, the Cruisers still held off the Athletics for their victory to start off Saturday morning. The Cruisers jumped on the board quickly in the first inning as Jonas Gallagher hit a double off the wall to plate the first two runs of the game. Gallagher looked great at the plate this game going 4-for-4 in a great effort to keep his team out in front. It was a game that really came down to the wire. In the end, it looked like a tying run was going to be made off a ball to the wall in the left-center gap. However, the Cruisers made an excellent relay to catch the runner at home, ending the game in heartbreak for the Athletics as they had all of the momentum.
Rawlings Cruisers: 11
BC Athletics: 10
Sunday, June 20, 2021
The King’s Academy 11:15 AM
Rawlings Cruisers vs Knoxville Tribe
Seeing the momentum that the Cruisers had coming off of their walk-off victory, the Tribe knew they had to come out strong, and that is exactly what they did. They were able to string together hits and walks to plate four runs in the first inning, proving to the Cruisers that they were going to have to come and play. The Tribe’s starting pitcher N. Irwin gave up two hits and one run in the first inning, but he would quickly fix the hanging breaking ball that he was throwing. R. Wallace came in to relieve Irwin in the fifth inning and pitched a perfect three innings, not allowing a single runner to reach base while striking out five.
Tribe: 5
Rawlings Cruisers: 3
Sunday, June 20, 2021
The King’s Academy 1:30 PM
Project 29 vs TN Blues
Ben Bryant was bad news for opposing pitchers on Saturday, driving in four runs on three hits to lead Project 29 past the TN Blues, 10-2, on Saturday. Bryant drove in runs on a single in the second, a single in the fourth, and a double in the sixth. Adam Grace led things off on the mound for Project 29. The pitcher lasted four and two-thirds innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out four. Project 29 strung together 10 hits throughout the game, and one home run hit by Avari Belcher.
Project 29: 10
TN Blues: 2
Sunday, June 20, 2021
The King’s Academy 3:45 PM
Project 29 vs Knoxville Tribe
This game was one of the most competitive all weekend, fueled by tons of hits, and defenses that were able to get out of jams when they presented themselves. Project 29 got things moving in the first inning, when Bradyn Chasteen singled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run. The Tribe was up 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth, but a passed ball brought B. Bryant home to tie the game at 4. This game had four double plays which seemed to keep it a low-scoring affair despite all of the hits.
Project 29: 4
Knoxville Tribe: 4
Sunday, June 20, 2021
The King’s Academy 6:00 PM
Knoxville Tribe Baseball vs Fury
Storm threw a complete game shutout in this four inning game, and his pitches were at his disposal today. Storm got things going for the Tribe in the top of the first as he grounded out, but he drove in the runner on third putting the Tribe up 1-0. The Tribe was up 4-0 heading into the top of the fourth inning when all of a sudden the bats were woken up, led by doubles from Waldrop and Witter. The Tribe plated seven runs this inning, putting the game at a mercy-run victory as long as Storm held Fury again this inning. Storm proved he wanted the complete game shutout and made quick work of the Fury, winning the game 11-0.
Tribe: 11
Fury: 0
Sunday, June 20, 2021
The King’s Academy 8:15 PM
Knoxville Tribe Baseball vs WPI
Waldrop pitched a gem for the Tribe this game, not allowing WPI to score a single run throughout seven innings. Waldrop helped himself in the top of the first inning as he doubled and brought in the first run of the game for the Tribe. A single by Leonard of WPI in the top of the fifth inning broke up the no-hitter that Waldrop was throwing, and would be the only positive that WPI could find against the Tribe, as it appeared that the Tribe just had their number.
Knoxville Tribe: 4
WPI: 0
Friday, June 18, 2021
Carson Newman University 11:15 AM
Knoxville Tribe vs Flying Squirrels
This game started off slowly with no score in the first inning, but in the bottom of the second the Tribe managed to sneak across two runs. The Tribe’s pitcher Ethan had a dominant performance by showing lots of command with his fastball and managed to keep the Squirrels’ players guessing at the plate. With little action in the third, the Squirrels put a run up on Ethan in the top of the fourth. But when the bottom half came around, the Tribe scored five runs to put this game away. The final here was 8-1 after five innings of play.
Tribe: 8
Squirrels: 1
Friday, June 18, 2021
Carson Newman University 1:30 PM
TN Blues vs Rawlings Cruisers
The Cruisers came out hot, scoring three in the bottom of the first. They had hot barrels that could not be contained by the Blues as they continued to tack on more runs in the second and third. The Cruisers had stellar pitching as well, and the Blues were unable to score a run until the top of the fourth, but by then it was too late. The Cruisers scored three more in the bottom of the fourth as well. All game long, the Cruisers had timely hitting and were smart on the basepaths, which allowed them to put up their many runs even though the Blues played sound defense. The Cruisers ended up cruising to a 11-2 win here.
Cruisers: 11
Blues: 2
Friday, June 18, 2021
Carson Newman University 3:45 PM
Project 29 vs Flying Squirrels
This was a good overall baseball game. Both teams made very few mistakes in the field, which allowed this game to be so low scoring. Project 29 managed to put up three in the first before the Squirrels calmed them down. Once Project 29 calmed down, the rest of the game had little offense. Both teams stranded runners in scoring position multiple times. Pitchers on both teams found the strike zone and managed to go deep in the game. Overall, this was the cleanest game of the day, but Project 29 managed to get the win in the end.
Project 29: 4
Squirrels: 1
Friday, June 18, 2021
Carson Newman University 6:00 PM
Project 29 vs Rawlings Cruisers
This game went back and forth the whole time. Both teams managed to score one run in the first, but neither managed to score again until the fourth. This was when the Cruisers put up five runs in the bottom of the fourth to give them a 6-2 lead. There would be no score change in the fifth due to some great plays by both sides on defense. Then, in the top of the sixth, Project 29 managed to scratch three across the board to make the score, 6-5, Cruisers. In the bottom of the sixth with some timely hitting, the Cruisers managed to plate three big runs to give them some insurance runs. This game was full of emotions from both teams, and was a great way to end the day at Carson Newman.
Cruisers: 9
Project 29: 5
Saturday , June 19, 2021
Carson Newman University 9:00 AM
TN Blues vs East TN Crusaders
This game was all Crusaders. The Crusaders put up six runs in the first two innings, showing their good approaches at the plate and being able to drive the ball the other way. In addition, the starter for the Crusaders, #16 Dagan had a great outing only allowing two runs. The Blues defense and pitching struggled a little bit, and the Crusaders took advantage of that. The Blues managed to plate two runs in the top of the third, but that was the only offense produced by their bats today. In the end, the Crusaders were just too tough for the Blues.
Crusaders: 10
Blues: 2
Saturday , June 19, 2021
Carson Newman University 11:15 AM
Pro Hitting Prospects vs MT Raiders
This game was good overall. The Prospects jumped out to an early lead, scoring two in the first. With stellar pitching from their starter, Nate, they held a comfortable lead going into the top of the sixth. That is when things took a turn in favor of the Raiders. The Raiders’ bats got hot and they managed to find every gap on the field. This allowed them to score five runs and take the lead late in the game. After the Raiders put up a 0 in the bottom of the 6th, they got two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh before taking the field to try to hold on for a win. The Prospects stranded two baserunners in the bottom of the seventh, allowing the Raiders to complete the comeback and win the game.
Raiders: 7
Prospects: 3
Saturday , June 19, 2021
Carson Newman University 1:30 PM
Illinois Outlaws vs Madison County Sluggers
This game was all offense with a total of 13 runs being scored by both teams. The Sluggers jumped out to an early lead going up 4-1 after two innings. But the Outlaws didn’t give up. The Outlaws showed some grit and hit their way back into the game. The score was 6-6 going into the seventh, and the Sluggers were unable to score a run. The Outlaws were able to score in the bottom of the seventh on an error by the Sluggers center fielder. The Outlaws completed the comeback on a walk-off to win 7-6.
Outlaws: 7
Sluggers: 6
Saturday , June 19, 2021
Carson Newman University 3:45 PM
MT Raiders vs East Tennessee Yankees 15u
This game was all defense with little offense. Both teams put up a run in the top of the first and then the pitchers found their rhythm. After the first inning, a run was not scored until the bottom of the sixth when the Yankees played some old-school baseball: get a runner on, move him over, knock him in. The game was close the whole time because the pitchers threw strikes and their defense behind them worked for their pitchers. In the end, the Yankees just had a little more offense then the Raiders, causing the Raiders to fall short in this one.
Yankees: 2
Raiders: 1
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Carson Newman University 9:00 AM
East TN Crusaders vs BC Athletics Middle TN
This was a great first semifinal game. The Crusaders jumped out to an early 4-1 lead and seemed to have this game in the bag. The Crusaders were cruising to a win until the top of the sixth when the Athletics rallied for five runs, stringing hit-after-hit. The Crusaders failed to answer, only scoring one run in the bottom of the sixth, which allowed the Athletics to have a one-run lead going into the seventh. The Athletics scored some crucial insurance runs in the top of the seventh, and the Crusaders scored two as well in the bottom of the seventh. With a man on third and two outs, the Athletics managed to get out of the seventh-inning jam with a fly out to center, winning the game and advancing them to the championship.
Athletics: 8
Crusaders: 7
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Carson Newman University 11:15 AM
Rawlings Cruisers vs East Tennessee Yankees 15U
The Cruisers started off this game hot, scoring four runs in the top of the first. After the first, the Cruisers calmed down and the Yankees started to take over. The Yankees managed to tack on runs the rest of the game. With stellar pitching from the whole Yankees’ staff once they got out of the first inning, the Cruisers were unable to score another run the rest of the game. The Yankees’ bats did not cool off, and they scored 12 runs throughout the rest of the game. The Cruisers had some costly mental mistakes, but at the end of the day the Yankees just played better overall. The Yankees moved on to the championship.
Yankees: 12
Cruisers: 4
Sunday, June 20, 2021
Carson Newman University 1:30 PM
East Tennessee Yankees 15U vs BC Athletics Middle TN
This was a good championship game. Both teams deserved to be there for what they did earlier in the tournament. The Yankees showed grit playing their second game in a row, coming out hot and scoring fast. The Athletics struggled at the plate a little due to the hard-throwing pitchers for the Yankees. Both teams made the routine plays, but the Yankees’ hits just seemed to fall a little bit more. The Yankees ended up winning this one, 7-2, to take home the hardware. The Athletics came in as the fourth seed on the day and ended up finishing in second, so they exceeded expectations as well.
Yankees: 7
Athletics: 2
Friday, June 18, 2021
Maryville College 3:40 PM
Chattanooga Dodgers vs Hard Knox
The first game of the UT Summer Slam was a quick one. The Chattanooga Dodgers started off hot, scoring three in the top of the first inning. #11 started off the game with a lead-off hit, followed by a walk. Then #1 Brannen hit a two RBI triple to get things underway. Brannen came up again in the top of the second and hit a two RBI single to keep the scoring going for the Dodgers. They continued to score runs throughout the inning and won after three. Hard Knox just couldn’t get anything going due to the great defense and good pitching. The Dodgers walked out on top 14-0.
Dodgers: 14
Hard Knox: 0
Friday, June 18, 2021
Maryville College 5:50 PM
Crusaders Baseball vs Team Rawlings GA Prospects
The second game of the day started off with a quick top-half of the first. Prospects hitter #19 came up in the bottom of the first and singled to get the first hit of the game. The scoring started in the top of the second, after Crusaders hitter #18 had an RBI to score the first run of the game, and then he was batted in by #15. No one scored until the top of the fifth, when Crusaders scored from an RBI by #16. The Prospects started getting something going in the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff walk by #1 and #10, but after a pop-up, there was one out on the board. Following that, the next hitter hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game, with Crusaders winning 3-0.
Crusaders: 3
Prospects: 0
Friday, June 18, 2021
Maryville College 8:05 PM
Chattanooga Dodgers vs TN Stix
The final game on Friday night at Maryville College started quickly, with the Dodgers scoring two in the top of the first. The Stix answered back quickly, taking the lead 3-2. But after the first it was all Dodgers. #2 Shannon for the Dodgers hit a bunt up the first-base line, and stole second and third base while advancing home on a defensive miscue to give the Dodgers another run. The Stix were held scoreless, and the Dodgers just kept picking away. In the top of the fourth, the Dodgers grabbed another run on an RBI single by #44. The sixth rolled around, and #11 singled and then scored from #1 Brannen’s double over the center fielder’s head. #10 capped things off with a double to right field. The Stix may have jumped out front quickly, but the Dodgers scoring was too much for them. The Dodgers came out on top 8-3.
Dodgers: 8
Stix: 3
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Maryville College 8:55 AM
Hard Knox vs Hustle Factory Select
The first game on Saturday morning went smoothly for Hustle. In the bottom of the first, they scored four runs after a leadoff triple from #21, a hit batsman and a walk; then an RBI single by #5, a two RBI single by #3, and a sac fly from #11. The pitcher for Hustle was dominating, having four strikeouts after just two innings of work. However, in the top of the fourth Hard Knox got one run after an RBI single by #9. Hustle scored again in the sixth after a single by #23, a sac bunt by #4, a single by #21, and an RBI single by #10. The pitcher for Hustle, #7 tossed a complete game only giving up one. The lefty racked up a handful of strikeouts in his seven innings of work.
Hustle Factory: 8
Hard Knox: 1
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Maryville College 11:11 AM
Hustle Factory Select vs Pro Concepts
This game was a grudge match. Pro Concepts scored first with a lead-off double from #4, who was singled in by #2. Hustle Factory had hits and got things going the next few innings, but couldn’t top it off with a run. Pro Concepts scored again in the bottom of the fourth after an RBI single from #23. Hustle Factory saved a run from scoring after a great throw from the centerfielder to throw out a runner at the plate to end the inning. Hustle finally got something going after a two RBI single from #21, who scored in #17 who singled, and #23 who singled. With the score tied going into the bottom of the sixth, Pro Concepts got a base runner and laid down a bunt to score the runner in scoring position. Following that, there was an RBI single hit by #17. Pro Concepts walked out on top, 4-2.
Pro Concepts: 4
Hustle Factory: 2
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Maryville College 1:32 PM
RBI Sox vs Fury
This game was a quick one and it was all Sox. The Sox struck first after a leadoff double from #24, who came around to score on a passed ball. It was followed up with back-to-back-to-back hits and two scored from a two RBI double by #4. The Fury just couldn’t keep up with the Sox on offense. The Sox scored 13 runs in just four innings of play. The Sox also had great pitching and defense to back up the offense. Fury started to get something going in the fourth to keep the game alive, but that ended quickly due to a smooth 4-6-3 double play by the Sox. The Sox won 13-2.
Sox: 13
Fury: 2
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Maryville College 3:39 PM
WPI vs Pro Concepts
Both teams were held scoreless by each other in the first, but Pro Concepts started the scoring after back-to-back hits, and the RBI single from #22. WPI answered back quickly, scoring three on some defensive miscues. Pro Concepts responded with a run in the bottom of the third from a sac fly by #15. In the top of the sixth, WPI scored on a passed ball, and then got two more in the top of the seventh. Pro Concepts tried to come back by scoring one in the seventh, but came up short, and WPI won the game 7-4.
WPI: 7
Pro Concepts: 4
