ALCOA, Tenn. – Pigeon Forge eliminated District 4-AA champion Alcoa on Monday night. Photo By Danny Parker
By Jesse Smithey, [email protected]
A memorable run ended Monday night in Alcoa, while a hot streak continued.
The Pigeon Forge High School baseball team rallied from an early deficit to score a 9-6 win in the Region 2-AA semifinals, eliminating host Alcoa (23-8) from the postseason. The Tornadoes were enjoying one of the best seasons in school history, having cruised through district and district-tournament play with ease.
Pigeon Forge (23-9-1) has now won 16 of its last 18 games, though, and will face District 3-AA champion Gibbs, a 12-2 winner Monday over Kingston, for the Region 2-AA Championship on Wednesday. Both teams will advance to Friday’s state sectionals.
“It’s just a cumulation of the way we practice and try to do. It takes time to perfect it,” said Pigeon Forge coach Mike Guinn about his team’s recent run. “These guys have bought in and come together. We seem to be peaking at the right time and doing the little things right.”
Ty Boyd hit a solo homer in the first inning for Alcoa, and Kaleb Cardwell drove home a run in the third to tie Pigeon Forge at 2-all. Will Shelton drove home another run in the bottom of the fourth to pull ahead 3-2.
But the Tigers surged ahead with three runs in the top of the fifth and three more in the sixth.
Guinn credited centerfielder Cam Smith and right-fielder Preston Hickerson for coming up with bunt singles to spart the rally after being down 3-2. Matt Rollar and Hunter Monday produced when needed at the plate.
ALCOA, Tenn. – Alcoa (black jersey) came up short Monday against visiting Pigeon Forge in the Region 2-AA semifinals. Photo By Danny Parker
And, of course, Kolton Hicks came up clutch, as well.
“Kolton Hicks, our shortstop, he’s our leader. He just did a lot of little things well,” Pigeon Forge coach Mike Guinn said. “He hit the ball good. He played good at shortstop. Flawless. He had a lot of people there watching him. He played great. Under pressure, he just thrives.”
Pigeon Forge will have its hands full once again with Gibbs (27-10), which beat the Tigers in two out of three meetings this season — including a 10-0 decision in the District 3-AA Tournament finale.
Gibbs cruised Monday against visiting Kingston, claiming a 7-2 lead through three innings. Tennessee signee Bass Cooper blasted a three-run homer late to punctuate the win.
Region 1-AAA
Science Hill 2, Jefferson County 0: Brandon Feathers shut down the Jefferson County offense, and Garrett Stiltner and Ben Grable produced two-out RBIs to eliminate Jefferson County from postseason contention.
Science Hill will play at Seymour, an 8-0 winner Monday over Tennessee High, on Wednesday for the region title.
Region 2-AAA
Heritage at Karns: This region semifinal will be played Tuesday, having been moved because of a graduation ceremony conflict. The winner will face Farragut for the region championship. Farragut trailed Powell 6-0 in the region semifinals Monday but rallied for a 13-9 victory.
Region 1-A
Greenback 6, North Greene 5: The Cherokees, who won District 2-A, advanced past visiting North Greene. Greenback will face University School for the region championship.
Region 2-A
Lookout Valley 8, Coalfield 6: Lookout Valley scored four runs in both the first and second innings, and Coalfield’s 11 hits couldn’t produce enough runs to complete the rally. Lookout Valley advances to play CSAS, which was a 13-12 winner over Rockwood.