KINGSPORT – Science Hill extended its winning streak to five straight while extinguishing Dobyns-Bennett’s streak of five consecutive victories Monday evening at J. Fred Johnson Stadium.
Racing to a 9-0 lead in the middle of the third, the Hilltoppers (1-0, 6-4) moved to 12-3 post-Covid against the Indians in cruising to a 10-3 win.
The same two teams will meet again Tuesday evening at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
“We played a really good game, but this is a long season and that’s a really good team over there,” said Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards. “Proud that we were able to put it together today.”
The ‘Toppers flirted with a big inning in the top of the first, but settled for only a single run. There was no settling in the second as Science Hill equaled the amount of runs the Indians had allowed in their first five games with a six spot.
Starter Hagen Gibson worked into the fifth before giving way to closer Cole ReSue who retired eight of the nine hitters he faced, striking out five and not allowing a hit.
“I was proud of our approach at the plate, really one through nine, felt like we had a great day.” added Edwards. “Hagen pitched a great game and there’s not anybody better on this team to close a game than Cole. He’s been in that role for two years now and we really like him in that role.”
Matt Gavin’s two-run double in the second got Science Hill rolling as the ‘Toppers took a 3-0 lead on the crucial base hit for club’s new shortstop.
Gavin was only 3-for-16 coming in with nine strikeouts.
“I was really happy with Matt Gavin’s double,” noted Edwards. “That was one of the biggest hits of the day.”
Designated hitter Cooper Greer also got a tip of the cap from Edwards after drawing three walks and going the other way for a single in five trips.
“We had great at-bats from Cooper Greer today, drew a lot of walks, didn’t try to do too much,” added Edwards.
Lucas Dye reached on all five plate appearances for Science Hill with three singles, a walk and a hit by pitch. Dye came around to score twice.
Sam Lane and Haydon Smelser were aboard on each of their first four trips as well. Lane doubled and walked three times, scoring three times as well before flying out in his last two at-bats.
Nate Stoots and Aiden Vermillion drove in two runs apiece for the ‘Toppers and also collected two base hits as did Ian Mathes.
Dobyns-Bennett starter Ean Mays left without retiring a batter in the second. Reliever Baker Correll did the same in the third.
“We just didn’t give ourselves a chance,” said Dobyns-Bennett coach Ryan Wagner. “We got out of the first, could have been worse. Ean just didn’t have it.”
The Tribe put together four of its eight hits in the game in the third inning with Maddox Martin and Cam Hayworth both driving in runs. Andrew Reilly singled home the third Indians’ run of the day in the fifth. Reilly and Tegan Begley both had two hits for Dobyns-Bennett
“We had some pretty good at-bats in middle of the game and competed a little bit,” continued Wagner.
The bright spot for the Tribe was senior reliever Will Shipley. The right-hander went five innings allowing one run, scattering six hits, walking three and striking out four.
“Heckuva job by Will,” noted Wagner. “I know it wasn’t a close game, but in this atmosphere against Science Hill, he showed us something tonight and earned the respect of his teammates and coaches.”
Science Hill outhit the Tribe, 14-8, but also left 15 runners on base. The ‘Toppers also left some plays on the defensive side as well.
“There were some plays we have to get better at,” acknowledged Edwards. “We have to make some better plays and shore up some things defensively.”
Last year, Science Hill also won the first of the three-game game season series over Dobyns-Bennett by seven runs, 11-4. But the Tribe bounced back the next day with a 2-1 victory.
In 2021, the ‘Toppers romped 13-2 in game one, but the Tribe rebounded with a 5-1 decision the following evening.
“At the end of the day, I’m not happy,” said D-B’s Wagner. “I hope our guys aren’t happy. We’ll see.”
| Science Hill | 162 | 001 | 0 | -- | 10 | 14 | |
| Dobyns-Bennett | 002 | 010 | 0 | -- | 3 | 8 | 2 |
Science Hill – Hagen Gibson, Cole ReSue (5) and Aiden Vermillion. Dobyns-Bennett – Ean Mays, Baker Correll (2), Will Shipley (3) and Taylor Blankenship. W – Hagen Gibson 3-0, L – Ean Mays 1-1. 2B – Science Hill 3 (Sam Lane, Matt Gavin, Haydon Smelser), Dobyns-Bennett 3 (Tegan Begley, Taylor Blankenship, Andrew Reilly). RBI – Science Hill 9 (Nate Stoots 2, Aiden Vermillion 2, Ian Mathes 2, Sam Lane, Lucas Dye, Cooper Greer), Dobyns-Bennett 3 (Cam Hayworth, Maddox Martin, Andrew Reilly). SB – Science Hill 1 (Haydon Smelser), Dobyns-Bennett 3 (Kasey Carter, Tegan Begley, Andrew Reilly). SF – Nate Stoots, Science Hill. LOB – Science Hill 15, Dobyns-Bennett 9.
