MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- The first step toward a possible state baseball championship can be the toughest, but both Walker Valley and South Pittsburg found ways to narrowly advance Tuesday.
In earning its spot Friday in this week's state baseball tournament in Murfreesboro, South Pittsburg returned to 2010-11 form by scoring 12 runs in a shutout victory.
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. -- The five-minute fireworks display after the game wasn't nearly as impressive as the offensive explosion during the game by South Pittsburg's baseball team.
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. -- Matt Allen knew the same pitch that had gotten him into trouble could bail him out.
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — Once the game ended, and a wide smile revealed a mouthful of metal braces, Tyler Reed looked like every bit the baby-faced freshman he is. His performance on the mound, however, was the stuff of a much older player.
WHITWELL, Tenn. -- A team already brimming with confidence and big-game experience doesn't need help, but South Pittsburg's baseball team got plenty of assistance Monday evening from Whitwell's Tigers.
The coaching staff didn't know if Matt Allen would be at his best. For that matter, South Pittsburg's coaching staff didn't know how well Jacob Toney could play or how long.
When Cody Branham steps to the line of scrimmage, whether he looks to his left or right, he won’t see many familiar faces from last year’s starting lineup. If he checks the backfield before he snaps the football, there won’t be a returning starter there, either.
Walk the halls of small South Pittsburg High School, and Raquis Hale likely will go unnoticed. An unassuming, almost bashful kid, he doesn’t carry himself with the swagger of the stereotypical star athlete. Instead, he blends into the crowd of teenage classmates, rarely opening his mouth except for a contagious smile.
Jo Byrns uses a power rushing attack that the Pirates have struggled to stop at times.
South Pittsburg seniors want redemption after losing in last year's title game
While running back Raquis Hale gets most of the attention, two underclassmen quietly put up strong numbers.
Six times, all in the regular season, South Pittsburg had big enough leads at halftime that the mercy rule was in effect at the start of the second half. After Friday’s TSSAA Class 1A state semifinal, it’s up to seven.
There are times for fire and brimstone pregame speeches, but this wasn’t one of them.
