Greeneville opened the TSSAA Class 3A State Baseball Tournament on Tuesday looking to begin its quest to repeat as state champions. Standing in the way was Lawrence County, making its first state tournament appearance since 1977. Both teams relied on strong pitching, but in the end, the Greene Devils manufactured timely runs and secured a 4-1 victory to advance.
Greeneville head coach Andy Collins stressed the importance of execution during the postgame huddle. “We have been in these situations many times throughout the season, and success is going to depend on either getting a bunt down or putting a hit-and-run into play,” Collins said. “That, along with strong pitching, was key in today’s win.”
Greeneville senior left-hander Will Harmon drew the start and earned the win after tossing six innings while allowing just one run. Harmon struck out 11, scattered seven hits, and walked one. Tegan Begley came on in the seventh and retired the side in order to earn the save.
Harmon reflected on his outing afterward. “I think the first three innings I came out a little slow and made a few mistakes on my part,” Harmon said. “But after I gave up the run in the third, our team responded and scored two. I’m proud of my guys for backing me up today, no matter the start.”
Lawrence County freshman Brayden Morrison was equally impressive in the loss, allowing two runs, only one earned, over five innings. He struck out six, walked two, and hit three batters.
Kaine Ricker and Grayson Crosby each collected two singles to lead Greeneville’s eight-hit attack, while Jack Moore had two singles for Lawrence County.
The Wildcats threatened first in the opening inning when Moore lined a one-out single to right and Jack Emerson drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a passed ball to move into scoring position, but Harmon escaped with a strikeout and a flyout to end the threat.
Greeneville answered with a chance of its own in the bottom half. Ricker singled with one out, and both Begley and Harmon were hit by pitches to load the bases. Morrison worked out of trouble, however, inducing an inning-ending double play.
Lawrence County broke through in the third inning. Emerson and Brooks Durham opened with back-to-back singles, and Morrison reached on a fielder’s choice that erased Durham while moving Emerson to third. Hutson Maddox then lifted a sacrifice fly to right that was misplayed, allowing Emerson to score for a 1-0 Wildcats lead.
The Greene Devils responded immediately in the bottom of the frame. Ricker led off with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and moved to third on a productive groundout by Begley. Harmon then delivered an RBI infield single to tie the game at 1-1.
Greeneville took the lead moments later when Crosby perfectly executed a hit-and-run. A costly throwing error allowed Harmon’s courtesy runner, Aiden Freeland, to race home from first and give the Greene Devils a 2-1 advantage.
Neither team seriously threatened again until Greeneville added insurance in the sixth. Pinch hitter Jack Lister drew a leadoff walk, and Maddox Bishop executed a perfect hit-and-run to move him into scoring position.
Lawrence County appeared poised to escape on a potential double play, but the throw from third sailed wide of first and into right field, allowing Bishop to score while Ricker advanced to third. Begley followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 4-1.
Now 39-8 on the season, Greeneville advances to face Alcoa, which defeated Covington 21-0, at 12:30 p.m. Central. Lawrence County will face Covington in an elimination game at 10 a.m. Central on Wednesday.
