ETSU Homepage

It could be a dandy spring for area high school baseball.

University High standout Kaleb Meredith became the fourth area player to commit to a Power Five conferences school. The junior left-handed pitcher verbally committed to the University of Tennessee.

Meredith joined Elizabethton's Evan Carter, who has committed to Duke University and will sign with the Blue Devils in November. Also, Science Hill's Caleb Marmo is committed to Wake Forest while Daniel Boone's Cade Elliott is committed to Tennessee.
.....

MURFREESBORO — University High met its match in the state baseball tournament.

The Buccaneers jumped ahead of Loretto, but couldn't keep up and were eliminated from the Class AA event with a 10-1 loss Wednesday in the losers' bracket semifinal at Middle Tennessee Christian School.

UH finished the season with a record of 25-15.

"It was a combination of little things we didn't do that we've done all year," said Bucs' head coach Josh Petty. "And overall, Loretto has a good bunch of players."

UH was knocked into the losers' bracket with Tuesday's 10-2 loss to Trinity Christian.

JUMPING AHEAD

UH led 1-0 after an inning of play. Brant Hare walked and Carter Pollock singled. That was followed by an RBI single from Esau Byrd to put the Bucs ahead.

Byrd finished the game with two hits, capping a nice finish to a season that was interrupted by a hand injury.

"He did a good job coming back," said Petty. "He went 2 for 3, and that was a great way to end his senior season."

LORETTO TAKES CONTROL

Getting only one hit, Loretto struck for four second-inning runs against UH starter Michael Degennaro.

A walk and two hit batters loaded the bases. The first run scored on a wild pitch. Then Jacob James drove in a run with a single to make it 2-1.

An error on the next batter allowed two more runs to score.

In the third inning, Loretto got an RBI single from Jason Sharpton to make it 5-1 and James had another RBI hit for a 6-1 lead.

James finished with three hits for Loretto, which advanced to play Franklin Grace in the losers' bracket final on Wednesday evening.

PETTY'S OVERVIEW

It was a shining season for the Buccaneers despite the finish.

"I told the kids after the game they can't let the way the season ended take away from what they accomplished," he said. "I think we gave our best effort."

HARRIMAN — Mike Degennaro did it all for the University High baseball team and the Junior Bucs are headed back to the state tournament.

Degennaro pitched a one-hitter and drove in four runs as UH blew out Harriman 11-0 in a TSSAA Class A Sectional game Friday night. The game was called after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

"It feels great," UH coach Josh Petty said. "The kids played great. They peppered the ball all over the field and ran the bases well.

"It's a lot of fun. The kids were excited and the parents were excited."

Kaleb Meredith went 3 for 4 and scored three runs for UH, while Brant Hare was 3 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Degennaro was 2 for 4. The top three batters in the order for the Junior Bucs combined to go 8 for 11 with seven RBIs and six runs. UH had 12 hits.

After UH scored twice in the first inning, a five-run second put it away.

Degennaro struck out nine batters and walked two in his dominating performance. He only allowed a second-inning single.

The righty's day ended much better than it began. He told Petty had had a blister on his thumb of his throwing hand, but they put some Nu Skin on it and it really wasn't a problem.

"He was spinning the ball well and kept the ball in the zone liked we talked about," Petty said. "He limited his walks. He threw well."

The Junior Bucs who lost 4-1 to Greenback in the Region 1-A championship game on Wednesday, will take a 26-13 record to Murfreesboro. The state tournament starts Tuesday.

"It's nice see the program take off," Petty said. "We have these young kids coming up, so this is something, hopefully, we can look forward to for years to come."

=======================================================

The following article was also printed in the Johnson City Press:

SH, UH and Cyclones still alive for baseball state titles
Douglas Fritz • Updated Yesterday at 7:19 PM
dfritz@johnsoncitypress.com

Science Hill, Elizabethton and University High's baseball teams apparently didn't like the way things finished last year, as they are all back for another shot at a state championship.

The 26th annual TSSAA Spring Fling begins Tuesday in Murfreesboro. Six area teams are involved with Unaka softball, Science Hill boys tennis, and Dobyns-Bennett girls tennis joining the baseball entrants. No area team reached the state tournament in soccer.

Baseball and softball tournaments are double-elimination events. All tennis events, team and individual, are single elimination.

Here's a look at the area competitors in the Spring Fling.

BASEBALL

Tuesday's opening round

......

CLASS A

University High (25-13) vs. Trinity Christian (35-3)

These teams met in the losers' bracket last year and UH was down only 4-3 heading into the seventh inning.

"We will go off what we saw last year, and we played a pretty tough game," said UH coach Josh Petty.

Trinity boasts a pair of low-to-mid-80s fastballs coming from the arms of Lane Lamberth (Belmont commitment) and junior Lane Forsythe (Mississippi State commitment).

In the bracket — Loretto (31-5) and Franklin Grace (11-16).

Loretto has junior Tennessee commitment Blade Tidwell, who has a 90 mph fastball in his arsenal. He threw a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts in the sectional while also going 3 for 4 with a double and a game-ending grand slam on the mercy rule.

Grace can't be properly evaluated by its record. The Lions played a killer schedule consisting of out-of-state, private-school and Class AAA teams. They did not play a league schedule or district tournament because they are the only baseball team in District 7. Against Class A competition, the Lions head to the state tournament with a record of 5-0.

History — UH is 3-9 all-time in the state event. The Buccaneers were state runners-up in 1987.

In 1992, UH defeated eventual state champion Summertown, 5-2. The teams met again in the losers' bracket final and the game was tied 8-8 before Summertown pushed across a run in the top of the seventh. Summertown then beat Davidson Academy twice for the title.

..

The University High baseball program battled, but Greenback registered a repeat of 2018.

The Bucs were beaten 4-1 by the Cherokees in Wednesday's Region 1-A final in Jonesborough, nearly duplicating last year's result in this spot. Greenback topped UH 3-1 for the 2018 crown, then both teams won their sectional contests to advance to the TSSAA Spring Fling.

"I said do not take this one minute past today," University High head coach Josh Petty said about the approach to the sectional round. "Let's get ready to go, we're one win away from Murfreesboro. We're going to forget about this one and move on."

University High (25-13) will journey to Harriman, which defeated Wartburg Central 19-4 in the Region 2-A final, for Friday's sectional round. Armed with 11 straight wins over Class A foes, Greenback (26-9) has a home game against Wartburg.

University High comeback attempt

The Bucs' offense managed only a single base runner in the second through fifth innings. However, the last two innings produced a different result.

Mike Degennaro drew a two-out walk in the sixth before Carter Pollock doubled to left, but pitcher Bryce Hanley came on in relief to wipe out the threat.

The final inning had Jacob Pealer reach on an error and advance to second on a walk to Zach Rice.

Henry Borthwick singled in the infield to load the bases. That brought up Kaleb Meredith, who singled deep in the hole at shortstop to bring in a run.

From there, Greenback recorded the final two outs to preserve the championship. Hanley recorded the final four outs for a save.

Borthwick, Degennaro and Pollock were placed on the all-tournament squad.

Greenback cashes in

Greenback struck in the second inning as Josh Edwards was hit by a pitch, then stole second before Duke Stinnett walked. That brought up Michael Severance, who sent an RBI single through the left side of the infield to score Edwards.

Edwards was hit by another pitch to start the fourth. He stole second and a throwing error allowed him to go to third. Severance produced an RBI with a groundout to short.

The scoring continued in the inning as Austin Burger doubled down the left-field line. A ground ball to second from Cole Riddle was misplayed and Burger rounded third for the game's third run.

In the fifth, Tyler Cullen reached on a two-base error before moving to third on Seth Riddle's single to right. A balk was called on Brant Hare to move both runners up as Cullen scored the final run for Greenback.

"They're a great team," Petty said. "They throw it well. We didn't hit the ball until the last inning. That's the only time we had a chance to break something open there."

The schedule said it was a baseball game, but University High turned it into a track meet — and won by a mile.

The Bucs stole 14 bases and rolled to a 10-0 victory over Washburn in the Region 1-A semifinals Tuesday night at Thomas Stadium.

"We just went on first move and he had a very high leg kick, so we timed him out right," UH coach Josh Petty said of the seemingly never ending stream of bases being swiped. "Once we saw that most of the time we could go in standing, we felt pretty confident."

UH (25-12) will face Greenback (25-9) for the regional championship Wednesday at 6 p.m. at David Crockett High School's field. More importantly, win or lose on Wednesday, the Bucs will play a sectional game on Friday for a berth in the state tournament.

Carter Pollock had an eventful day for UH, going 2 for 3 with three RBIs, scoring two runs and getting four of the stolen bases.

The game ended on the 10-run mercy rule when Pollock was hit with a pitch while the bases were loaded in the bottom of the fifth inning.

"I guess I've seen a game end like that, but it's never happened to me before," said Pollock, who will start on the mound for the Bucs in the regional championship game. "I'm glad to get the win. We sure did well on the base paths. We're looking forward to Wednesday against Greenback."

Henry Borthwick had RBI singles in each of his three at-bats for UH. Brant Hare drove in a run with a hit and Kaleb Meredith scored twice and had three of the stolen bases.

Pollock got things going for the Bucs with an RBI single in the first inning and Mike Degennaro made it stand. The UH starter allowed enough base runners for a bit of concern, but always got out of any mini-jam he managed to pitch himself into.

Degennaro held Washburn to one hit and walked three batters during four shutout innings.

Meredith came on and worked a perfect fifth.

"We're very excited," Petty said. "We set up our pitching for this week. Everything's lined up for us."

Washburn finished 7-15.

University High used brotherly love and a 1-2 punch to win the District 1-A baseball tournament for a second straight season Wednesday, beating North Greene 9-5 at David Crockett High School.

UH has a home Region 1-A semifinal contest Monday against Washburn while North Greene will travel to Greenback in the other matchup. The two winners face off Wednesday.

"The Pollock brothers (Carter and Cade) came through with two big home runs," University High head coach Josh Petty said about his team's offensive heroes from Wednesday. "(Kaleb) Meredith and (Brant) Hare have been doing a good job all year hitting the ball to the opposite field and making things happen."

Tournament most valuable player Carter Pollock (2 for 3, 3 RBIs) hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third to give the Bucs a 5-3 lead. An inning later, Cade Pollock unloaded a no-doubt homer to pad the margin.

Meredith (2 for 2, 3 runs) led off the bottom of the first with a walk before Hare (2 for 2, 3 RBIs) drove him in with a triple to the right-center gap, accounting for the game's first run. The Meredith-Hare duo joined Carter and Cade Pollock on the all-tournament squad.

The fifth inning unfolded with Meredith and Hare tagging back-to-back doubles for another run. The duo struck again in the sixth as Meredith deposited his second two-bagger (RBI) into right field and advanced on an error. Hare followed with a sacrifice fly to center.

Helping the Bucs succeed was the pitching of Carter Pollock and Meredith. Pollock threw the first four innings and gave up three runs on just two hits. Meredith finished out for a save.

Cayden Foulks (2 for 3) came through with a two-run single and Turner Bailey (2 RBIs) a run-scoring groundout in a three-run Huskies third, putting the Bucs down by a run. A hit-by-pitch and two walks set up a Bailey sacrifice fly in the fifth, making it a 6-4 contest.

North Greene's Carson Whaley punched through an RBI single in the seventh.

Foulks, Bailey and Chance Campbell were all-tourney picks for the Huskies, who go into Monday's game without head coach Jason Lowe — who was ejected in the fourth inning. Lowe argued a pickoff at first base that resulted in the third out of the inning.

University High used a six-run surge to advance past Sullivan North in the District 1-A baseball tournament Monday night at David Crockett.

The Bucs bested the Golden Raiders 9-0 in the winners' bracket final. Earlier, North Greene eliminated Unaka by a 6-2 margin.

With the results, the rest of the event was set. North Greene plays Sullivan North on Tuesday while University High awaits the winner for Wednesday's championship.

The Bucs also have a spot in next week's Region 1-A tournament for the second straight season. The last time University High went to back-to-back Region 1-A tournaments were in 2007 and 2008.

University High 9, Sullivan North 0

The six-run outburst came in the third inning for the Bucs. Carter Pollock had an RBI double off the left field fence to start the scoring. He later scored on an error on a ball hit by Cade Pollock. Briley Townsend had a squeeze bunt as Cade Pollock raced in. Kaleb Meredith helped himself with an RBI single.

"We threw the ball well, hit the ball well. We played a clean game," University High head coach Josh Petty said. "We hit the ball 1-through-9. It was a good team effort. We go into Wednesday fully (pitching) staffed. You have to anticipate having to play two games."

Meredith and Brant Hare combined for the shutout. Meredith threw the first 3 2/3 innings with 54 pitches before Hare entered the game. Meredith struck out seven batters and scattered two hits. Hare worked out of a bases-loaded situation with a strikeout. That was one of the eight strikeouts in the relief appearance.

At the plate Meredith had two hits as did Townsend and Carter Pollock had two hits and three RBIs.

Sullivan North's Chandler Raleigh went 2-for-3.
.......

======================================================

The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

HIgh school baseball
Pitching rules for UH and Sullivan North
Tanner Cook • Updated May 4, 2019 at 7:06 PM
tcook@johnsoncitypress.com

Mighty fine pitching was display in the two District 1-A tournament baseball games played Saturday afternoon at David Crockett's Sonny Miller Park.

University High took the first game 7-2 over North Greene behind 12 strikeouts from Michael Degennero and Brant Hare's two-run home run in the fourth inning.

In the second game, Sullivan North got a combined no-hitter from Braydon Wilhoit and Hunter Dingus to win over Unaka, 10-1.

TWO-OUT HITTING

The Bucs were superb at the plate with two outs, scoring all of their runs and going 4-for-9 as a team with runners in scoring position. UH churned out 10 hits and struck out just four times as a team.

"We stay composed at the plate and the boys did a good job today," UH head coach Josh Petty said.

Hare finished 2-for-4 with the homer and a single, collecting two RBIs. Carter Pollock was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and RBIs.

"I knew he had a good curveball, so I just waited on the fastball and got it," Hare said. "We always try to keep it rolling with two outs and we try to take advantage."

Cade Pollock, Henry Borthwick and Jacob Pealer also recorded RBIs for the Bucs.

Degennero was masterful on the mound after the opening two innings as he retired 12 of the next 13 batters he faced. The three hits he allowed on the day all came in the first two innings.

He says he started to find his groove with a nasty curveball after the second frame.

"I tried to focus on placing my curveball a little better," Degennero said. "I was able to control it more and get it for a strike in the later innings. Overall, I got in a good groove and was able to focus the rest of the game."

Cayden Foulks was the only Husky to record a RBI. Chance Campbell, Turner Bailey and Jonah Palmer had the hits for North Greene — all singles.

PITCHING RULES FOR NORTH

The stellar pitching for the Golden Raiders showed up again in the win over Unaka.

Wilhoit was brilliant in his 5 ⅔ innings of work, throwing just 72 pitches and striking out four. He did walk three batters, however, and Dingus came in to shut the door with just 13 pitches in the last inning and change.

"We've had good pitching all year and we just took Braydon out for pitch-count reasons," North head coach Steve Dixon said. "We've got to do a better job of getting runners in. The last week or week and a half, we've been leaving a ton of runners on. That won't work in the tournament."

The Raiders left 10 runners on and were 5-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

Wilhoit and Chandler Raleigh each had three RBIs while Tyler DePriest had two.

Surprisingly, the Raiders did not have an extra-base hit in the game, finishing with eight singles. They also drew eight walks and had four hit batters.

The pitching staff for Unaka of Lucas Carr, Joe Slagle and Nick Nunley struck out just three batters.

Daniel Ensor recorded the lone RBI for the Rangers, producing a ground-out that scored Bryson Street from third.

UP NEXT

The Bucs and Raiders will meet in the winners' bracket while Unaka will face North Greene. Both games will be played on Monday evening.

High school roundup
UH claims regular-season title in District 1-A soccer
Johnson City Press • Updated Apr 25, 2019 at 11:15 PM

.........
Baseball
University High 8, Providence Academy 2

Greer Barnett and Jacob Pealer both batted 2 for 3 with two RBIs to help the Buccaneers shake loose from pesky Providence in action at Thomas Stadium.

Barnett tripled and supplied two runs for UH, which trailed 2-1 before easing their way to a 4-2 edge. From there, the Bucs used a four-run fifth to gain sufficient breathing room.

Winning pitcher Carter Pollock and Brant Hare each threw three innings, then Pealer closed it out. Hare worked three shutout innings after Pollock gave up two runs (1 earned).

The Knights' Zac Powell went 1 for 2 with a walk, one RBI and a stolen base.
......
=======================================================

The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

High school roundup
Day-Edmonds Invite: Lady Pioneers edge Unicoi County
Johnson City Press • Apr 26, 2019 at 11:41 PM

.....
BASEBALL

University High 11, Cosby 0

Five pitchers combined for a five-inning no-hitter, Carter Pollock supplied a pair of RBIs and Greer Barnett clubbed a two-run triple.

Esau Byrd, Barnett, Michael Degennaro, Kaden Weir and Henry Borthwick handled the pitching duties, combining for eight strikeouts against three walks. Barnett gained the decision after doing the most work with 1 2/3 innings.

Pollock coupled an RBI double with a sacrifice fly. Brant Hare also socked a run-scoring double, and Weir had a hit, two runs, two walks and a pair of stolen bases.
.........

=======================================================

The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

High school notes
UH baseball tops the list of state's most likely
Douglas Fritz • Updated April 29, 2019 at 8:59 PM
dfritz@johnsoncitypress.com

Which area baseball, softball, soccer and tennis teams have the strongest legs to make the longest run into the postseason?

For something a little different, this is mix of all four team sports with an overall ranking based on the best chance to make reservations in The Boro.

The Spring Fling, where state champions will be crowed in five sports and numerous classifications, is scheduled for May 21-24 in Murfreesboro.

It all starts with conquering the district, which begins this week. Here is the top 10 list.

No. 1

University High baseball

The Buccaneers have enough pitching depth to navigate the sometimes tricky pitch-count waters of the region and sectional. And the lineup is capable of big innings and clutch hits.
.........

CHATTANOOGA —Henry Borthwick had three hits and Jacob Pealer drove in three runs to lead the Bucs over the Tigers.

Pealer also was the winning pitcher, going 4 1/3 innings. Brant Hare earned the save.

Michael Degennaro had four hits for the Bucs in an earlier 5-1 loss to Lookout Valley.
..........

BAILEYTON—University High pitcher Michael Degennaro achieved workhorse status on Tuesday.

Going the distance in a nine-inning contest, Degennaro racked up 13 strikeouts and finished with a five-hitter as the visiting Buccaneers got past North Greene 2-1 to clinch the Watauga Valley Conference baseball championship.

"Deg was spinning it well and keeping guys off balance in any count," said Bucs coach Josh Petty. "He threw an absolute gem today."

Degennaro plunked one batter, but issued no walks in a 110-pitch outing.

"I knew there was a lot of pressure, especially going into the extra innings," Degennaro said, "but I told myself remain calm and command the zone like I was in the early innings. I did not let doubts or fears take ahold of me and that ultimately led to our victory."

UH, which improved to 9-0 in conference play and 14-8 overall, prevailed on Esau Byrd's one-out, bases-loaded sacrifice fly. Brant Hare, who began the top of the ninth with a single, accounted for the tie-breaking run.

With the Bucs held to five hits by Cayden Foulks, stellar pitching was in full supply. Foulks, who absorbed the loss, was one out from a complete-game victory when Carter Pollock doubled in the seventh. Pollock advanced to third on a Byrd base hit, then scored on an infield error to make it 1-all on the scoreboard.

Foulks worked into the ninth, surrendering one earned run and totaling six Ks before giving way to Chance Campbell for the final three UH outs.

Brayden Garber batted 2 for 3 to pace North Greene's bats. Campbell was 2 for 4 as the Huskies dropped to 5-4, 15-7.

Degennaro accounted for a pair of sacrifices, with one coming in the ninth to advance Hare and Kaleb Meredith, who had been hit by a pitch, to third and second base, respectively. From there, Campbell intentionally walked Pollock.
......

A battle for supremacy in the Watauga Valley Conference featured the Bucs banging out 12 hits against the Huskies.

Michael Degennaro went 3 for 4 with one RBI while Carter Pollock and Kaleb Meredith each went 2 for 4.

Meredith and Degennaro combined to surrender two North Greene hits and strike out 10 batters.

Kole Zirlke and Turner Bailey had the hits for North Greene.
......

The Sullivan South baseball squad used timely hits to take a 3-0 win over University High Saturday.

"We responded early, but it's good to come back and get the win over a quality opponent. They have a chance to go down to Murfreesboro," Sullivan South head coach Anthony Richardson said about the win and University High. "They put the ball in play and we made the plays out there."

Said University High head coach Josh Petty: "We had several innings with runners in scoring position, just couldn't get the big hit. Their pitcher was throwing strikes and we were putting the ball in play and they made the plays."

Rebels Runs

Sullivan South got things started right when Drew Creech led the game off with a hit. His trip around the bases was completed as Cole Layne reached on an error by center fielder Kaleb Meredith.

The next inning the Rebels struck again as Eli Jennings started the inning with a single. He stole second while Jackson McGee was at the plate. McGee singled, but an error by Kaden Weir allowed Jennings to score the game's second run.

McGee led off the fourth with a double and later scored an insurance run.

Esau Byrd threw all seven innings for University High and scattered nine Rebel hits. He struck out a pair with a walk issued and hit a Rebel batter.

Bucs hits

University High had a rally attempt in the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back walks to Byrd and Jacob Peeler brought up Carter Pollock, who singled to load the bases. The frame was closed out by the Rebels' Jeffrey Leonard, who struck out the next two batters. University High got runners to second base in both the fifth and seventh innings, but no further.

Leonard tossed a complete-game shutout for the Rebels. He scattered four hits and only struck out three Buc batters. Four walks were issued by Leonard.

"Leonard threw strikes," Richardson added. "I think maybe he threw five curveballs all game. Hopefully our other pitchers can learn from that."

Upcoming

Both teams have important league series starting Monday.

Sullivan South welcomes Johnson County. The Rebels are a game behind Sullivan East for second in the Three Rivers Conference, but only a game in front of Johnson County. University High has a game with North Greene.

The Bucs are a perfect 7-0 in the Watauga Valley as a win would secure the top seed for the District 1-A Tournament.

Other Games

Earlier in the day Sullivan South was upended by Sevier County 16-4. Sevier County also beat David Crockett 14-4.

———

University High 10, Lee (Va.) 0

Brant Hare and Michael Degennaro combined on a five-inning, two-hit shutout of the Generals in the Bucs' late game Saturday.

Hare gave up a pair of singles and a pair of walks over three innings before Degennaro had three strikeouts over two no-hit innings.

Esau Byrd led the University High offense, going 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Carter Pollock drove in two runs.

ELIZABETHTON — The Bucs got a key Watagua Valley conference road win over the Rangers behind the arm of Kaleb Meredith, who limited Unaka to just five hits while striking out eight.

Carter Pollock went 2-for-2 at the plate with a double and two RBI.

Alex Garcia finished with a pair of hits for Unaka while Harley Berry recorded the Rangers' only RBI.

Sullivan East 1

The Buccaneers struck for nine runs in the third inning and rolled to the surprisingly easy win at ETSU's Thomas Stadium.

Kaleb Meredith broke the 1-1 tie with a triple to get the big inning started.

Henry Borthwick had two hits and four RBIs to led UH at the plate. Brant Hare had two hits and three RBIs. Jacob Pealer drove in two and Meredith finished with two hits.

Michael Dengennaro went the distance on the mound, allowing three hits and one run with two strikeouts. The Bucs improved to 10-4 on the season.

KINGSPORT—With Henry Borthwick batting 3 for 3 with four RBIs, the Buccaneers cruised to a five-inning Watauga Valley conquest of Sullivan North.

Essau Byrd added three RBIs in a 1-for-3 showing and UH got three walks and a pair of runs from Jacob Pealer.

Going 1 for 3 with two runs and a walk, Brant Hare also pitched four innings for the win. Michael Degennaro closed the game with a scoreless fifth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:


HIgh school baseball
University High shuts down Sullivan North
Jeff Birchfield • Updated Apr 1, 2019 at 11:44 PM
jbirchfield@johnsoncitypress.com

University High pitcher Kaleb Meredith was efficient and effective against Sullivan North on Monday night.

The left-hander threw 68 pitches over seven innings, giving up four hits and striking out eight in the Bucs' 5-1 win over the Golden Raiders in Watauga Valley Conference baseball action at Thomas Stadium.

In addition, the Bucs had eight hits of their own, coming up with the biggest ones with runners in scoring position.

"We came up with the timely hits which we hadn't been doing," University High coach Josh Petty said. "We've been getting runners on the base pads, but hadn't come up with the big hits."

Esau Byrd started it off with a RBI single to score Carter Pollock in the second inning.

North tied the game in the top of the third when Zach Scott doubled and Tyler DePriest followed with a RBI single.

University High pulled back ahead on Briley Townsend's RBI single in the fourth and added a run in the fifth off Michael Degennaro's sacrifice fly to score Meredith.

The final pair of runs came off Greer Barnett's RBI single and Jacob Peeler racing home after a wild pitch. Byrd and Peeler each scored two runs for the Bucs.

Brayden Wilhoit suffered the loss for Sullivan North, giving up just two earned runs over six innings. Wilhoit also doubled at the plate.

Congratulations to our High School Boys Baseball team for their many victories over Spring Break!

 Monday, March 25^th Johnson City Press Article

University High 4, Hayworth, Ill. 1

DAPHNE, Ala.—Cade Pollock and Michael Degenarro teamed for a one-hitter and 13 strikeouts, leading the Buccaneers to victory.

Pollock tallied five strikeouts over three hitless innings before Degenarro worked the final four frames, accumulating eight Ks.

Kaleb Meredith had a 2-for-2 game that included a double. Degenarro also did damage at the dish, going 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

University High baseball out-pacing the state

Douglas Fritz • Mar 25, 2019 at 6:14 PM
dfritz@johnsoncitypress.com

It’s not a comprehensive statistic because baseball games tend to go unreported, especially early in the spring, but University High entered this week leading the state in runs scored per game among all classifications.

Heading into Monday’s tournament at Orange Beach, Alabama, the Buccaneers had roughed up opposing teams for 105 runs in eight games. That’s an average of 13.5 per contest, which is two runs per game better than another pair of Class A teams: Monterey (11.4) and Trenton Peabody (11.2).

Michael Degennero, Carter Pollock, Henry Borthwick and Brant Hare have been the top run producers for UH, which is 7-1 on the season.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UH, Science Hill notch non-conference home wins

Johnson City Press • Mar 22, 2019 at 11:10 PM

Brant Hare was 3 for 4 with a pair of runs, Michael Degennero and Carter Pollock each tallied three RBIs and University High subdued South Greene 9-1 on Friday at Thomas Stadium.

Recording six strikeouts over five shutout innings, Kaleb Meredith also batted 2 for 4 and knocked in a pair of runs.

Hare stamped his initials on two extra-base hits, producing a double and triple. Degennero fit a two-bagger into his 2-for-4, 2-run effort and Henry Borthwick accumulated four walks, three runs and two stolen bases.

Pollock also swiped a pair of bags.

The Rebels were limited to four hits, with Luke Myers and Brandon Smith collecting two apiece.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johnson City Press Article

University High 17, Hampton 5

HAMPTON—Zach Rice, Brant Hare and Carter Pollock combined for 11 RBIs and the Buccaneers drew 14 walks from Watauga Valley Conference foe Hampton.

Rice went 2 for 2 with four RBIs, adding three runs and a pair of walks. Hare, who had two runs and two bases on balls, hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the seventh inning. Pollock drove in three runs.

Henry Borthwick and winning pitcher Michael Degennero (3 innings) contributed two RBIs apiece. Borthwick also accounted for two runs, two walks and two stolen bases.

The Bulldogs were topped by Weston Street with a 2-for-3, 2-run output.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johnson City Press Article

University High 11, Hampton 2

Michael Degennero went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and the Bucs had 11 hits in their win over the Bulldogs.

Brant Hare went four innings to pick up the win and Esau Byrd threw the final three, striking out five.

Kaden Weir and Byrd also finished 2-for-4, while Hare, Henry Borthwick and JP Pealer all scored two runs.

Weston Street and Josh Owens each had two hits for Hampton. Freshman Morgan Lyons pitched four quality innings in his first varsity start.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

University High heads the Watauga Valley baseball pack

Douglas Fritz • Mar 17, 2019 at 5:57 PM
dfritz@johnsoncitypress.com

Coming off an appearance in the Class A state tournament and returning key players, University High is favored to win the Watauga Valley Conference title.

The Buccaneers’ biggest challengers should be Unaka, North Greene and Sullivan North — with Hampton also in the mix. Cloudland will have to scrap hard for league wins.

Watauga Valley Conference predictions

1. University High

2. Unaka

3. Sullivan North

4. North Greene

5. Hampton

6. Cloudland

UNIVERSITY HIGH

A solid three-deep starting rotation gives the Buccaneers an edge.

Carter Pollock (RH, Sr.), Brant Hare (LH, Jr.) and Kaleb Meredith (LH, So.) are all good arms. Esau Byrd (RH, Sr.) adds to the mix in relief.

At the plate, Pollock (2B), senior shortstop Michael Degennaro, and Hare (1B) will lead the way.

“Our goal this season is to replace six starters from last year’s team and set ourselves up for another trip to Murfreesboro,” said head coach Josh Petty. “I feel confident we have the players to step in and replace that talented bunch from last year.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

High school roundup: UH turns back Providence Academy

Johnson City Press • Mar 14, 2019 at 10:48 PM

Greer Barnett totaled nine strikeouts over six innings, Essau Byrd batted 3 for 4 and University High beat Providence Academy 6-2 on Thursday in a non-conference baseball game.

Yielding a run in the first and sixth (unearned) innings, Barnett held the Knights to two hits before Kaden Weir worked a hitless seventh, striking out two batters.

Brant Hare and Briley Townsend were each 2 for 3 for the Bucs. A two-run double from Bare highlighted a four-run UH second — in which J.P. Pealer and Michael Degennero lofted sacrifice flies — that snapped a 1-1 tie.

The Knights’ Hunter Reid finished 2 for 3.

Brant Hare pitched the local high school baseball season's first no-hitter, leading University High to an 11-0 victory over Cloudland on Monday that concluded a doubleheader sweep at Thomas Stadium.

The Bucs won the opener, 25-2. Both games were shortened to five innings.

Hare had 10 strikeouts for UH. Kaden Weir, Briley Townsend, Michael Degennero and Carter Pollock each drove in a run in the Bucs' six-run fifth inning.

In the opener, Henry Borthwick tripled in each of his first two at-bats, driving in five runs with two swings, and Pollock struck out 10 batters in four innings.

Borthwick finished with three hits and six RBIs, while Greer Barnett went 5 for 5, drove in five runs and scored four times. Cade Pollack went 2 for 3 with three RBIs and Esau Byrd scored five runs for UH.

Carter Pollock didn't allow a hit until the fifth and was pulled right after that. Cloudland helped the Bucs, committing nine errors. UH wound up with 18 hits.