Bluff City – North Greene experienced a full swing of emotions Saturday at Sullivan East in the District 1-1A tournament, opening the day with a dominant 15-0 win over Unaka before falling 17-4 to Hampton. The split ends the Huskies’ season at 13-12, one game shy of a berth in the Region 1-1A tournament.
“Coming into that first game, we knew we had to play,” said head coach Jamey Palmer. “We had Tyler on the mound and planned to use him in both games. We talked about outscoring teams, and we did that early. Maybe we used it all in the first one, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”
North Greene came out hot against Unaka, scoring 15 runs on 10 hits. Isaac Gaby led the charge, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs. Tyler Britton and Colton Suggs each added two hits and an RBI.
Britton and Jaiden Bailey combined to shut out the Rangers, allowing just four hits. Britton struck out three over two innings, while Bailey earned the win with three innings of relief, giving up two hits and hitting one batter.
The Huskies broke things open immediately, scoring seven runs in the first inning. Britton drove in Bailey with a single before Gaby crushed a two-run homer to left. After a series of baserunners loaded the bases, North Greene capitalized with a hit-by-pitch, an infield single, and additional runs to take a 7-0 lead.
Gaby stayed hot in the second, launching another first-pitch home run to extend the lead as the Huskies built a 10-0 advantage. They added three more in the third, highlighted by aggressive baserunning from Gaby, and capped the scoring with two runs in the fourth to secure the run-rule win.
That victory set up a win-or-go-home matchup with Hampton, with a trip to the championship and a region berth on the line.
Hampton struck first, scoring three runs in the opening inning behind a two-run double from Colby Clark. North Greene rallied in their half of the first but was only able to manage one run. Britton drew a one-out walk, Gaby singled, and Cogdill drew a walk to load the bases. Pierce then ripped a sharp ground ball down the third base line that was destined for the corner and several RBIs. However, the Bulldog third baseman made a diving stop to pick up the force out at third and minimize the runs allowed.
The Bulldogs took control in the second, erupting for seven runs on six hits to build a 10-1 lead and chase Britton from the mound. North Greene threatened in the second and third innings, loading the bases both times, but couldn’t deliver the key hit, stranding six runners.
Hampton put the game away in the fourth with six more runs, highlighted by Clark’s grand slam to left, pushing the lead to 17-1.
The Huskies showed fight late, loading the bases again and scoring three runs. Doug Mullendore delivered a pinch-hit RBI single, and additional runs scored on a hit-by-pitch and a double play.
Gaby and Suggs each recorded two hits in the nightcap as North Greene finished with nine hits but left 10 runners on base.
After the game, Palmer reflected on his team, especially the eight seniors playing their final game.
“It’s tough,” Palmer said. “Seeing those guys grow from freshmen into seniors and play their last game is heartbreaking. I’ve known a lot of them since they were little. They’ve got a special place in my heart, and they won’t be forgotten.”
