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MURFREESBORO — Loretto scored 13 runs over the first two innings and starting pitcher Ryan Weathers threw five strikeouts over two innings in a 13-1 win over University High on Tuesday night in the TSSAA Class A state baseball tournament.

Weathers, who has an offer from Vanderbilt but is projected as a top pick in the upcoming Major League draft, proved to be as good as advertised against the Bucs.

In addition to his presence on the mound, he clobbered a three-run home run in the Mustangs' five-inning victory.

Loretto (32-2) will play South Pittsburg this afternoon in the next round. University High (23-12) takes on Trinity Christian in an elimination game at 11 a.m.

The Bucs didn't quit, getting three hits and one run.

Hunter Seehorn and Michael Degennero each doubled, while A.J. Simerly had a single. Brant Hare had an RBI to score Degennero in the final inning. Once he entered the game, UH reliever Kaleb Meredith didn't allow a hit in 3 1/3 innings.

"Kaleb came in and threw well," University High coach Josh Petty said. "Once Weathers came off the mound, we had six or seven hard hit balls against a guy throwing around 83 mph."

Cas Blevins suffered the loss after giving up four hits and five runs (just two earned) in the first inning. With a strategy move, he will be available to throw more if the Bucs advance in the state tournament. Jack Bembry is scheduled to be on the mound against Trinity Christian.

"We took Cas out after they got three (runs)," Petty said. "I felt that was enough for Weathers to control the game and that was the strategy we talked about before the game if they got 3-4 early. We wanted to save everybody and hopefully we will get a couple of wins tomorrow."

As first innings go, it was better than most.

University High sent 14 batters to the plate in the first inning of its Region 1-A baseball semifinal with Jellico at Thomas Stadium on Monday. The Bucs banged out nine hits, including two triples and two inside the park home runs, and scored 10 runs.

Mercifully, the game ended after 4 1/2 innings with UH on top 17-2.

"We just took care of business today," said University High coach Josh Petty. "The guys did a good job of hitting line drives. And we got to play everybody on the roster so all around it was a good day."

And then some.

The Bucs (22-10) added six more runs in the second inning and built an insurmountable 16-0 lead.

Next up for UH is a Wednesday regional final on the road at Greenback. The Cherokee edged North Greene 6-5 to advance.

Jellico (12-13), which had only nine players in uniform, was hard pressed to stop the Bucs' onslaught. Eight of the first nine UH batters not only reached base, they scored.

A.J. Simerly and Michael Degennaro had first-inning inside the park home runs.

Jakob Hare finished with a double and a triple, drove in three runs and scored twice. Brant Hare also had two hits, including a triple and three RBIs. He also scored twice.

The Bucs finished the contest with 14 hits.

UH starting pitcher Jack Bembry tied the Blue Devils up in knots. He retired the first nine batters he faced and when Jellico's Hunter Suto broke up the no-hitter with a single in the fourth, Bembry went to the bench after striking out five.

"I knew before the game that coach had me on a pitch count so that was fine," said Bembry. "I only threw fastballs and curves; they were working so well for me."

Bobby Zecchini got Jellico's only other hit of game.

Blue Devils' coach Randy Moses had only positive things to say about his team.

"We've come a long way," said Moses. "Last year we won only one game and we won 12 this year and made the regionals. We'll come back next year and build on that."

HONORING A FALLEN BUC

Prior to the game, University High retired the jersey of Ben Shew. Shew, who was captain of the 2002 Bucs team that made it to state, was killed in a tragic accident last week.

After failing to clinch the District 1A baseball crown on Tuesday evening, University High came back on Wednesday and closed the deal.

The Bucs (21-10) dismissed North Greene 10-1 behind junior hurler Carter Pollock and a 15-hit attack.

"This is really the first meaningful game Carter has thrown in," Bucs head coach Josh Petty said. "He pitched a great game. He was strong working his curveball and I am proud of him."

Pollock allowed just five hits and worked out of a few tight spots in the early going. He got out of a one-out, two-on-bases jam in the top of the first by inducing a fly ball from Turner Bailey and striking out Evan Pierce in the next at-bat.

"I came out with a lot of energy," Pollock said. "The team backed me up all the way. The infield and outfield did a great job. I just felt good and it was a good game coming off last night. It's a big win."

Pollock struck out six and walked three in going the distance.

The Bucs scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first with Jakob Hare and Jake Oligny each providing RBI singles. Hare finished the night 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Tournament Most Valuable Player Cas Blevins finished the night 2-for-3 with one run batted in.

The Bucs built a 5-0 lead going into the top of the fifth when North Greene (16-10) broke through against Pollock. Denver Weems and Chance Campbell each reached on infield errors before Zane Potter delivered an RBI single.

UH broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth with four runs, with Hare and Pollock both hitting singles to open the inning. Oligny sacrificed both runners up 90 feet and second baseman Jack Bembry stroked a two-run single to left.

Catcher Hunter Seehorn had an RBI hit in the frame and Blevins closed it out with a sacrifice fly to center, handing the Bucs a 10-1 advantage.

"North Greene really shut us down last night, so it feels good to come back and win this game today," Blevins said. "We really played well this year, we didn't lose a conference game in the regular season and we played a real tough schedule. We're ready to go as far as we can. What you have to do in baseball if you have a bad play, you have to shake it off and go back at it and that's what we did tonight."

North Greene had the hot bats and an even hotter pitcher on Tuesday evening in the District 1-A baseball tournament played at David Crockett's "Bulldog" Miller Park.

Led by senior pitcher Zane Potter, the Huskies swept to victory with wins of 17-1 over Unaka and 5-1 against University High to set up a championship decider with the Bucs today at 6 p.m.

"Zane has been great all year," Huskies head coach Jason Lowe said. "We were lucky to win some games and keep his pitch count down today. That's a great team over there in UH but I know that any time number two is on the mound, we have a chance to win. I still have some pitching left. It will be young guys but if we keep swinging the bats, we'll give ourselves a chance."

The Huskies struck for a run in the first against UH lefty Cas Blevins and three in the second on a bases-clearing double by Potter. Denver Weems had a one-out single back to Blevins, followed by a single from Chance Campbell (2 for 4).

An infield error on a Kole Zirkle grounder loaded the bases, then Potter (3 for 3) delivered his three-run double to center to stake North Greene to a 4-0 advantage.

Potter started game one against Unaka and threw 51 pitches over three innings of work and got the call in game two as well. NG added another run in the third as catcher Jonah Palmer singled home Cayden Foulks, who opened the inning with a double to left.

When asked about his defense surrendering three errors, Buccaneers head coach Josh Petty said: "Bottom line is we scored just one run tonight. Zane did a great job and at the end of the day we can say this ball should have been caught or that one — but Potter was dominant tonight and sometimes baseball is just that simple."

UH finished with four hits.

University High punched its ticket to the District 1-A baseball title tilt with a 5-0 win over North Greene on Monday.

The Junior Bucs improved to 20-9 and also secured a spot in the Region 1-A event next week.

"We're excited. This is what we've talked about all year and take care of business," University High head coach Josh Petty said about the upcoming games. "We've got that berth (Region 1-A) and now the next step is trying to get that No. 1 seed and a host a game next Monday."

The game was contested at David Crockett and afterward Unaka eliminated Sullivan North with a 3-0 score.

With that, Tuesday's slate was set. North Greene plays Unaka in the losers' bracket final at 5 p.m. with the survivor taking on UH in the championship at 7.

An if-necessary contest is slated for Wednesday at 6 p.m.

University High 5

North Greene 0

The second inning proved to be enough offense for the Junior Bucs. Brant Hare produced a sacrifice fly before a double from Michael Degnnaro. Jakob Hare also had a sacrifice fly in the inning.

Eight of the nine Junior Bucs reached base in the contest.

"We were able to put up five there in the second," Petty said. "Their pitcher was throwing a lot of off-speed and we had a bunch of hard-hit balls."

Jake Oligny and Hunter Seehorn both scored in the inning and were hit by pitches while Cas Blevins scored after his walk.

Jack Bembry allowed a lone single to Denver Weems in the third inning. That was also the only North Greene baserunner for the evening. Bembry struck out seven foes, including the side in the fifth inning.

"Jack Bembry threw a great game," Petty said.

North Greene left Jonesborough with a 14-9 record.

The University High baseball squad opened up the postseason with a team effort and 12-1 win over Sullivan North in the District 1-A baseball tournament.

"We've got to win one more before we can lose two," Jr. Buccaneers coach Josh Petty said after Saturday's game at David Crockett. "We're going to put Jack Bembry on the mound on Monday and see if he can command the strike zone."

UH started things off with a flurry, producing a four-run first inning. A run in the second was followed by two more in the third.

The game was closed out in the fifth inning with five runs.

Jakob Hare batted 3 for 4 with two doubles and drove in five runs as every Jr. Buc had a hit.

A.J. Simerly had a propensity to cross the plate for UH. He scored three times and went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Jake Oligny and Jack Bembry also scored twice. Bembry pounded out three hits.

Cas Blevins tossed a complete game with a pair of strikeouts and a run allowed on two hits. With the bat, Blevins led off the UH lineup with a 1-for-2, 2-run performance.

"Jakob Hare did a great job at the plate today," Petty said, "and (we were) able to keep Cas under 55 pitches, so he's ready for relief Monday.

The Golden Raiders' Tyler DePriest scored late to break up the shutout. Braydon Wilhoit and Casey Hartsell had hits.

Happy Valley 0, 5 inn.

ELIZABETHTON—A.J. Simerly drove in three runs and three pitchers combined to hold Happy Valley to two hits at Cannon-Gouge Park.

Simerly went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs. Brant Hare, who tripled, was joined by Jake Oligny in going 2 for 2 for the Junior Buccaneers. Jakob Hare added a pair of hits in three at-bats while Jack Bembry went 1 for 1, drew a walk and scored twice.

Pitching the first three innings for UH was the winner, Bembry. Essau Byrd and Kaleb Meredith followed with an inning apiece as the trio combined for six strikeouts (two each), issuing no walks.

Eli Fleenor was 1 for 1 for Happy Valley. Teammate Kevin Whitaker batted 1 for 3.

Unaka 5

ELIZABETHTON—The Jr. Bucs cut loose for 10 runs over the final two innings to wipe out a 4-1 Unaka advantage.

A.J. Simerly deposited two doubles into a 3-for-4, 2-RBI effort for UH. Hunter Seehorn was 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs while Carter Pollock (double), Jake Oligny, Jack Bembry and Michael Degennero had two runs apiece.

The Bucs accumulated 10 stolen bases, getting two each from Jakob Hare, Oligny and Simerly.

Allowing one earned run and striking out four batters, Hare pitched 2 1/3 innings of middle relief for the win.

The Rangers' Isaac Hill (triple), Bryson Street (double) and Blake King all produced two hits.

An 11-run third inning made this game a runaway for the Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers finished with 16 hits, including five triples. Leading the way at the plate was Hunter Seehorn, who totaled three hits and three RBIs with a pair of runs scored. Lewis Wessner had two hits, three RBIs and scored three times. Wessner was also the winning pitcher with 4 2/3 strong innings of work.

Leadoff hitter A.J. Simerly reached base four times, scored four runs, and added two hits and an RBI. Also getting two hits were Jakob Hare and Carter Pollock.

Greeneville's Avery Collins hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to give the Greene Devils a 5-3 lead. Augustus Fraley and Jacques Gillespie-Taylor each had two hits.

Opening the flood gates in the second half, University High swamped Sullivan Central 9-2 Thursday night in a high school boys soccer match at Winged Deer Park.

The Cougars were a pesky bunch for a half, going to the break within a goal (3-2) of the Junior Bucs. UH then took command.

After assisting two Walker Page scores in the first half, Malachi Heath generated all three of his goals after intermission. Page twice supplied assists for Heath and came up with another goal of his own — giving UH a pair of hat tricks.

Pate Anglin and Austin Baines found the back of the net for the Jr. Bucs, with Pablo Rivas and Bracken Burns each recording an assist. Baines' goal was quite a jolt, with the right fullback chipping the Cougars' goalkeeper from 40 yards away.

UH, which opened its scoring on an own goal by Central, got 10 saves from net-minder Tyler Barnes. The Bucs visit Hampton on Tuesday for their district finale, which begins at 6 p.m.

CHURCH HILL—When runners were in scoring position, Carter Pollock came through.

Pollock amassed five RBIs on Wednesday to guide University High to a 8-4 non-conference victory over Volunteer.

Going 2 for 3, Pollock accounted for a sacrifice fly in the first inning and two-run singles in the second and sixth.

Jake Oligny singled home a run as the Jr. Bucs built a 5-0 lead over the first inning and a half. The Falcons did all of their scoring in the bottom of the second, with two bases-loaded hit-by-pitches and Caleb Spears' two-run single making it a one-run game.

Oligny came home on a fifth-inning wild pitch to hand UH at 6-4 edge.

A.J. Simerly was 2 for 4 with a pair of runs for the Bucs, who were outhit 8-5. However, Volunteer was guilty of a half-dozen errors — compared to none for UH.

University's Jack Bembry went the distance from the mound, totaling five strikeouts against no walks.

The Falcons received a 2-for-3 outing from Aaron Wills. Eli Dixon followed at 2 for 4.

Cas Blevins was efficient with his pitches and University High used a big fourth inning to wrap up the Watauga Valley Conference baseball championship.

Blevins gave up just five hits and one walk, throwing a total of 79 pitches to lead the Bucs to a 4-0 win over Unaka on Monday evening at Thomas Stadium. All of the Bucs' runs came in the fourth inning.

The Bucs improved to 14-8 overall and 9-0 in the league. The Rangers fell to 16-8 and 7-2.

"You have a goal to win the conference and get that No. 1 seed (in the district tournament)," University High coach Josh Petty said. "Baseball is a funny game and sometimes the best team doesn't win. But, we bumped our out-of-conference schedule up and that's helped us in conference."

As for his success, Blevins just tried to keep it simple.

"I tried not to walk batters and stay ahead on the count," the junior left hander said. "I pounded the strike zone and they put the ball in play, but I have a good defense behind me. I was mad I walked one batter. I didn't try to walk him."

With Blevins on the mound, the Bucs didn't need that much offense.

Brant Hare hit a two-run double to score Carter Pollock and Jack Bembry for the game's first two runs. Hare scored off a throwing error and Hunter Seehorn scored the final run off A.J. Simerly's RBI triple.

Hare talked about seizing the moment against the Unaka defense.

"I saw the left fielder move more toward center so I tried to go down the line with it," Hare said. "At first, I thought it was just a single, then I saw I could make it to second. It all worked out."

University High had only three hits as well, but the Rangers committed five costly errors. It meant John Ramsey suffered the loss despite giving up just two hits and two walks.

Daniel Ensor reached third base in the third inning for Unaka, but the Rangers couldn't come through with any runs. Their next best scoring opportunity was ended in the sixth inning when the ball hit lead-off batter David Ensor as he was running towards second base.

"We had one bad inning and they made a few more plays in the field than we did," Unaka coach Tee Blevins said. "We had a couple of errors where they ended up getting four runs out of. Then, we get a runner on and he gets hit with a line drive in the legs. That's just bad luck."

The teams are scheduled to play again Tuesday afternoon at Unaka.

University High 10

Hampton 1

HAMPTON—The Junior Bucs subdued Hampton behind a five-RBI output from Carter Pollock and Jack Bembry's outstanding work on the mound.

Pollock doubled and tripled in a 2-for-3 showing. As for Bembry, he struck out nine batters, issued no walks, surrendered just four hits and helped himself out with a bat in his hands, going 2 for 3 with a double.

Cas Blevins stuffed a double, two runs and three RBIs into a 2-for-3 day. Hunter Seehorn contributed a two-bagger while A.J. Simerly, Jakob Hare and Briley Townsend each scored twice.

Dru Owens accounted for all but one Hampton hit, going 3 for 3 with a double. He scored the team's lone run on Gavin Hardin's RBI single and had two stolen bases.

Snow flurries, temperatures in the 30s, wind-chill in the 20s, a 30-minute mid-game snow delay and the Beach Boys blaring over the public address system.

Yep, a perfect day for baseball.

University High took advantage of the brutal conditions and forged a 9-5 Watauga Valley Conference win over Hampton on Monday at Thomas Stadium.

Brant Hare had two of the Bucs' 12 hits, drove in three runs and scored once.

UH senior Cas Blevins earned the win after pitching 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five, scattered four hits and allowed three runs.

"My fastball was the only thing that I could throw consistently tonight," said Blevins. "My fingers were too cold to control the off speed stuff. It was really tough when the snow really started to fall in the middle of the game."

In top of the fifth inning, the flurries turned into an outright snow storm. The field quickly turned white and you could hardly see the outfielders. Play was halted for 30 minutes until the snow shower passed.

"We did just enough out there to win," said Bucs coach Josh Petty. "Under these conditions all you can do is try to play as clean a game as possible."

The Bulldogs (6-9, 4-5), who will host the Bucs (12-8, 7-0) today in a rematch, committed four costly errors.

"UH put the ball in play and forced us to make plays and we didn't," said Hampton coach Nick Perkins. "For us to be the baseball club we think we can be we must play cleaner and more intelligent baseball."

Carter Pollack had three hits and Kaleb Meredith two more for UH.

Hampton's Dalton Rouse had the game's only extra base hit, a double in the sixth.

Sullivan North 2

Jakob Hare had two hits, including a double, and Cas Blevins failed to yield an earned run in seven innings as the Junior Bucs opened a doubleheader sweep over North with a victory.

Blevins, who accumulated seven strikeouts as he limited the Golden Raiders to five hits, also drove in two runs. Carter Pollock had a run-scoring double for University High, which took advantage of five errors by the Golden Raiders.

A.J. Simerly added two runs, a hit, a walk and a sacrifice.

University High 16

Sullivan North 0

Led by Jakob Hare's 4-for-4, 3-RBI outburst, the Junior Bucs were in dominant form in Game 2.

Highlighting Hare's showing were a pair of triples, plus he accounted for two runs. A.J. Simerly tripled and amassed four RBIs in a 2-for-4, 2-run contribution from the top of the UH lineup.

Cas Blevins, Pollock and Jake Oligny had two hits apiece in the five-inning win. Blevins and Hunter Seehorn (double) each drove in three runs, and both of Pollock's hit were doubles.

Winner Jack Bembry racked up seven strikeouts over four innings, Esau Byrd struck out the side in the fifth and the Golden Raiders managed only three hits.

Beckley 0

KODAK—Cas Blevins put on quite a show for the Jr. Buccaneers, going 3 for 4 with four RBIs and throwing a complete-game shutout.

Blevins held Beckley to four hits, registered four strikeouts and issued no walks. He also notched a pair of stolen bases.

UH, which put the game away with a four-run sixth, got a 3-for-3 outing from Jack Bembry, who added two steals and a walk. Hunter Seehorn doubled and A.J. Simerly and Jakob Hare had two runs apiece.

BASEBALL

Cloudland 0

ROAN MOUNTAIN—One day after University High's Cas Blevins fired a five-inning perfect game against Cloudland, Carter Pollock, Essau Byrd and A.J. Simerly combined on a five-inning no-hitter for the Jr. Bucs.

Pollock and Simerly sandwiched two innings apiece around Byrd's handing of the third frame. The three pitchers combined for six strikeouts against three walks.

UH banged out 11 hits, with Hunter Seehorn (2 doubles), Jakob Hare (double, 2 runs, 2 stolen bases) and Jake Oligny (2 runs, 2 stolen bases) all going 2 for 3. Seehorn and Oligny each supplied three RBIs.

Pollock socked a two-bagger and scored two times. Simerly recorded three of the Jr. Bucs' 10 stolen bases.

UH quickly took control of the game, grabbing a 6-0 lead in the top of the first.

Cas Blevins flirted with perfection Monday at Indian Trail.

And then he reached it.

The Buccaneers' pitcher retired all 15 batters he faced in a 12-0 five-inning win over Cloudland in high school baseball action.

Blevins needed only 62 pitches, throwing 41 of them for strikes. He struck out nine batters.

"Cas pounded the zone today like he does every start," said UH head coach Josh Petty. "He mixed in his off-speed stuff, keeping hitters off-balance. He pitched a great game and got the defensive help when he needed it."

UH (7-5) spread its hitting attack around with Jake Oligny, Kaleb Meredith and Brant Hare each collecting two RBIs. Jakob Hare had two hits and A.J. Simerly scored three runs.

The Buccaneers improved to 3-0 in Watauga Valley Conference play.

This is the third segment of our spring sports Scholar Athlete Spotlight, a chance for some of today's brightest high school athletes to answer several random questions. Some of the questions will be challenging, some will be light-hearted, and some will be serious.

The Hunter Seehorn File

Senior at University High School

Baseball, catcher

• GPA: 3.8

• ACT: 34

• Favorite movie: A Few Good Men

• People I Admire: My Parents

• College choice: ETSU

Interesting Facts

• Beta Club, 2018

• People to People Ambassadors

• Will graduate with 22 completed college credits

The Four Questions

1. A job opportunity arises for you in one of the Top 10 most dangerous places in the world. You would be there six months, and then would be on a fast-track career for a high six-figure salary. Your other option is taking a job that tops out at $50,000 in a small town on the East Coast. Which path do you choose?

"I would choose to work on the East Coast," said Seehorn. "I think the risk would outweigh the reward, and I would rather be able to make an average wage safely than to make good money but feel threatened and unsafe. Also, I would be closer to family and friends if I were to stay on the East Coast, which would also factor into my decision."

2. As part of an experimental government program, you can time travel to any date and place in the past 30 years. You get 10 minutes for your visit. Where do you go?

"I would travel back to 1990, before my great-grandad died. He was Washington County Sheriff until 1976, and I would love to get a chance to listen to some of his stories, even if just for 10 minutes."

3. You are given an opportunity to make a movie about your life by a wealthy relative. What actors/actresses would you hire to play your mom, dad, siblings, relatives or friends?

"My mom would be played by Sandra Bullock or Julia Roberts because their personalities are similar. Adam Sandler would play my dad because that would be pretty funny. I don't know about my brother. Maybe a young Macaulay Culkin or Sean Astin because he's pretty energetic like both of them were as kids."

4. How much potential do you see in the Class of 2018 in terms of changing the world in a better way?

"Even though it can be often looked down upon, especially in our generation, I think technology has given us a sense of limitless power, meaning what's achievable by our generation and the class of 2018 specifically is truly unprecedented. For this reason, I think the potential for world-changing ideas and actions from our class is great."