High School Baseball

Baseball open facilities are on Tuesday, July 27th and Wednesday July, 28th at Thomas Stadium from 3:30-5:30.

Tuesday will be an intrasquad and Wednesday an individual player workout.

Congratulations to our UH Baseball Team for advancing to the State Tournament!  The following article and team photo were printed in the Johnson City Press:

UH whips Tellico Plains, advances to state
Tanner Cook
May 21, 2021
 
There’s an old saying that bad luck comes in threes, but that number seemed to be a lucky one for the University High baseball team on Friday at David Crockett’s Sonny Miller Park.

The Bucs (22-13) clinched a third straight trip to the state tournament with a 9-0 win over Tellico Plains in Class A sectional play.

UH senior pitcher and Tennessee signee Kaleb Meredith went the distance to earn the win, scattering three hits while striking out seven.


He threw 86 pitches, 63 of which were strikes.

  
The Bears (23-8) could not catch up to Meredith’s fastball all night as all three hits were ground balls that got through up the middle.

“I’m really proud of these guys,” UH coach Josh Petty said. “We’ve worked hard all year and we’ve played some tough competition.

“This was the best I’ve seen Kaleb’s secondary stuff in a few games. They really couldn’t catch up to his fastball, so he relied on it most of the game.”

UH could not solve Tellico pitcher Cade Scoggins in the first three innings, but roughed him up in the fourth. Hank Stott and Jesse Greene reached on singles and eventually scored.

Scoggins was relieved by Ethan Fairbanks with two outs in the frame.

The Bucs scored six runs in the fourth, highlighted by Cade Pollock’s bases-clearing double on the first pitch he saw from Fairbanks.

“That really broke the game open,” Petty said.

From there, Meredith was on cruise control.


In the last three frames, he allowed just three base runners, two of which reached via base on balls.

There was a scary moment in the second inning when a high fastball got away from Meredith and hit starting shortstop Ethan Teague squarely in the nose.

Teague fell to the ground in obvious pain and with blood gushing. He was replaced by Burgess Tate and did not return.

“That really didn’t rattle me all that much because I was more worried about him,” Meredith said. “It was just a high fastball that got away from me.”

Meredith recovered, picked off Tate at first base and retired the side.

“I was proud of Kaleb between innings because he talked to Tellico’s coach and asked him how he was doing,” Petty said. “Kaleb was very concerned with that player, but he was able to maintain composure and continue to fill up the strike zone.”

Will Joyner had a standout evening for the Bucs, going 4 for 4 with an RBI.

Pollock ended the game at 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles, a and five RBIs. Jacob Pealer doubled twice in a 2-for-4 effort.

Meredith got on base all four times — reaching by base hit, error, hit-by-pitch and walk.

For Meredith, it marks his fourth trip to Murfreesboro in his long list of accomplishments. He’s been three times for baseball and once for basketball.

“It’s incredible and a lot of people don’t even get to do it once,” Meredith said. “Every year that we’ve had a chance to play in baseball, we’ve gone. Last year didn’t count because of COVID. I’ve got some great teammates and great coaches that try to get us there every year.”

UH Baseball Wins Regional Championship! 

The following article was printed in the Johnson City press:

Grindstaff pitches UH to first region title since 2008
Tanner Cook
May 19, 2021
 

BAILEYTON — In the biggest of situations, upperclassmen usually step up to the plate.

On Wednesday night, University High senior pitcher Daniel Grindstaff delivered a gem on the mound to help his squad clinch its first regional title since 2008 with a 8-3 win over North Greene.

Grindstaff notched a complete- game win, scattering seven hits and striking out four. Even though it wasn’t the prettiest of scorecards, he kept the hard-hitting Huskies in check and did not allow a runner past second base in the final three frames.


“Last time I pitched against (North Greene), they had only two or three balls that we solidly hit,” Grindstaff said. “I pitched to contact and that was the plan. My defense played great behind me for the most part and my offense backed me up.”

  
Added UH coach Josh Petty: “I’m the most proud of Daniel. He started off down in our pitching order, but each game he pitched, all he did was fill the strike zone and pitch to contact.”

The Bucs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on North Greene starter Cayden Foulks thanks in part to two North Greene errors. The Huskies ended the day with five booted balls.

Foulks was relieved by lefty Carson Whaley in the third.

North Greene had a response, though. In the bottom of fourth with two outs, Carter Morelock, Tucker Owen and Dakota Robbins all reached base safely.

They would all eventually score behind a UH error and an RBI single by Brady Harkleroad.

All of a sudden, North Greene was up 3-2.

UH answered right back in the top of the fifth, putting up five runs. Miles Bembry led off with a single off Whaley and Kaleb Meredith reached by getting hit by a pitch.

“That one big inning started off with Miles Bembry — our nine-hole hitter — getting a single and then we were finally able to put together an inning,” Petty said.

The first five batters of the fifth reached for the Bucs in a variety of ways, including two North Greene errors.

The Bucs’ Jacob Pealer finished the game with a double and three RBIs. Jesse Greene drove in a pair of runs while Joseph Armstrong and Will Joyner added two hits apiece. Joyner also contributed three runs.

Morelock had the biggest night at the plate for the Huskies, going 3 for 4. The Huskies had no extra-base hits. Owen batted 2 for 4 and Harkleroad accounted for two RBIs.

“It feels great to host that sectional game now,” Grindstaff said. “We don’t have to take that 2 1/2-hour car ride. We get to have home field advantage.”

The Bucs will host Region 2-A runner-up Tellico Plains in Friday’s sectional action at David Crockett’s Sonny Miller Park with the first pitch set for 6 p.m. North Greene travels to Coalfield.

The winners of each game will clinch a berth in next week’s Class A state tournament in Murfreesboro.

Coach: Mr. Josh Petty

Assistant Coaches:  Johnny Bolton, Logan Brown, Garren Jackson

 Follow the University High Baseball on Facebook

Congratulations to our wonderful UH Baseball team for a great season, which came to an end after a win, then loss yesterday in the State Tournament.  The following articles were printed in the Johnson City Press: 

 Bucs pick up first state win since 1992
Tanner Cook
May 26, 2021
 
 
MURFREESBORO — The last time University High won a game in the state baseball tournament, none of the players were born.

No one on the coaching staff except for Josh Petty was alive, either.

The Bucs — thanks to a bases-loaded walk by Miles Bembry that scored Jesse Greene — secured the program’s first win since 1992 on Wednesday with a 5-4 victory over Lake County in the losers’ bracket semifinals at Riverdale’s Jones Field.

“I’m just going up there taking the right pitches and swinging at the right ones,” Bembry said. “In that situation, you want to be very selective, especially with no outs.”
  
“I was talking about it with my assistant coach (Johnny) Bolton and we decided to take until you get a strike,” Petty said. “Earlier, we saw some of their relievers warming up and they couldn’t find the strike zone.”

The Bucs (23-14) were eliminated later in the day with a 11-1 loss to Summertown in the losers’ bracket final. Summertown will face East Robertson in the upper-bracket championship round Thursday.

Lake County (30-8) got two runs in the top of the eighth thanks to a monstrous two-run home run by lead-off hitter Justin Morgan.

However, UH fought back in the home half of the eighth.

As Lake County relief pitcher Braden Johnson was having a tough time finding the strike zone, two of the first three hitters for UH reached on walks.

Joseph Kent drove in one with a bloop single to center field and Connor Horton drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game.

“We always talk about not getting too high or too low and today was an example of that,” Petty said. “We were screaming one minute when we tied the game and the next minute, they hit a two-run homer.”

UH senior and Tennessee signee Kaleb Meredith earned the hard-fought win, tossing a complete game with 100 pitches and seven strikeouts.

“This win means a lot,” Bembry said. “My brother and his group came down here and they could not win a game. This one is for all of the ones that came before us and couldn’t get a win.”

Hank Stott and Kent both went 2-for-4 and Kent tallied two RBI on the day.

“I’m not a big numbers or records guy, but I was curious about the last time UH won a game in the state,” Petty said.

“It’s nice because we’ve come down three years in a row and we finally got a win.”

Summertown 11, University High 1

Jesse Greene homered on a fly ball to left field in the second inning as the Bucs pulled within a 2-1 deficit.

The Eagles came back with three runs in the third inning and scored six in the sixth to put an early end to the game.

Kent had two hits for UH, while Meredith, Connor Horton and Bembry accounted for the other hits.

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 Summertown rocks UH in state's opening round
Tanner Cook
May 25, 2021
 
University High pitcher Kaleb Meredith took the loss Tuesday against Summertown, giving up six runs on five hits in just two-thirds of an inning.

  Tanner Cook 

 
MURFREESBORO — A barrage of extra-base hits led to Summertown’s 10-0 opening-round win over University High in Tuesday’s Class A state baseball tournament action at Riverdale’s Jones Field.

The Eagles (29-8) peppered UH starting pitcher Kaleb Meredith in the first inning, scoring five runs on six hits. Meredith, a Tennessee signee, only lasted two-thirds of an inning and threw 24 pitches.

“(Summertown) hit the ball hard and they hit a lot of gappers,” UH coach Josh Petty said. “They had a really good plate approach and they’re an all-around really good team.”

The heart of the Eagles’ lineup in Grant and Lane Burleson was particularly frustrating for the Bucs’ pitching. The deadly 1-2 combo combined to go 4 for 6 on the day, highlighted by back-to-back solo home runs in the second.

   
Grant Burleson drove in three runs while Lane accounted for two RBIs. Overall, the Eagles amassed 11 hits and saw four UH pitchers.

Even though his ace starter Meredith was roughed up, every pitcher will be available to Petty in an elimination game against Lake County on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

“We held everybody under 25 pitches and we have to play it like we’re going to win another four games tomorrow,” he said.

Summertown pitcher Gavin Burleson picked up the win, going five innings, throwing 53 pitches and allowing just three hits.

His variety of low-80s on a fastball along with a good mixture of low-60s for a curveball kept the Bucs off balance all afternoon.

“He threw the ball around 80 and then he had a little looping curveball that got our guys off-balance,” Petty said. “He’s a really good pitcher.”

The Bucs (22-14) hit the ball solidly, but it was right at Summertown fielders.

Eagles first baseman Grant Burleson notably made two line-drive grabs that looked to be above his reach.

“We can’t get emotional about it,” Petty said of the outcome. “We have to come and get a win.”

UH Baseball to Play in Regional Championship Game on Wednesday, May 19th, at North Greene, at 6:00 p.m.  The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

Roundup: Dramatic homer keeps South playing
Douglas Fritz
May 17, 2021

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University High 12, Greenback 5

Jacob Pealer and Hank Stott homered, Jesse Greene delivered a sturdy offensive performance and the Buccaneers made their presence felt at Greenback in the Region 1-A semifinals.

Assured a sectional berth, UH plays at North Greene in Wednesday’s championship. Action begins at 6 p.m.

Pealer opened the scoring with a two-run blast in the first inning. He was aboard when Stott launched a two-run shot, handing the Bucs a 10-4 lead in their four-run seventh.

UH had pushed across four sixth-inning runs, two on a Will Joyner single.

Greene was 2 for 3 with a double, three runs and a pair of walks. Pealer accounted for three runs and two bases on balls of his own.

Meredith, who walked three times, and Connor Horton, who doubled, joined Pealer, Stott and Joyner in contributing two RBIs apiece.

UH totaled 10 hits and 11 walks. Joseph Armstrong drew two of those free passes and added a pair of runs.

Meredith pitched 6 1/3 innings for the win, yielding four runs (two earned) on six hits. He registered nine strikeouts and two walks.



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The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press: 

North Greene downs University High for District 1-A baseball title
Jeff Birchfield
 May 13, 2021
  

North Greene used a variety of ways to score four runs in the fourth inning and defeat University High for the District 1-A baseball championship Thursday night at David Crockett’s Sonny Miller Field.

Carter Morelock and Carson Whaley had RBI hits, while the other two runs came off an error and sacrifice fly in the Huskies’ 6-2 victory over the Bucs.

The Huskies (24-7) had scored first on a bloop single, while Tucker Owen was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for a two-run lead.

North Greene coach Jason Lowe was pleased to see his boys do whatever it took to get the job done.

“I’m happy for the kids. We have a lot of seniors and they’ve worked hard,” Lowe said. “We knew we could potentially make a run this year. We’ve not strung together the hits like we did today. When we would get something going, we would come back with another hit or two.”

Cayden Foulks picked up the win by scattering seven hits and throwing eight strikeouts. He went into the seventh inning before Jeshua Crawford closed the game.

UNIVERSITY HIGH SCORING
Down 2-0, University High pulled within a run in the top of the fourth with Cade Pollock’s triple to right field scoring Will Joyner.

Kaleb Meredith, who is scheduled to sign with the University of Tennessee on Sunday, doubled in the fifth to score Connor Horton for the other UH run.

The Bucs (19-13) had seven hits overall, but weren’t able to come up with other hits when needed.

“We saw the ball well today and put the ball in play. We just didn’t get the timely hits we needed to break an inning open,” University High coach Josh Petty said.

Joseph Kent allowed eight hits and six runs (only three earned) over four innings. Pollock entered in the fifth inning and gave up only one hit.

“Joseph and Cade threw well. We had the one inning where there were a couple of bloop singles,” Petty said. “They were able to move some runners around and that was the difference. But Joseph and Cade threw a good game.”

OFFENSIVE LEADERS
Whaley and Foulks each went 2 for 3 with two runs scored to lead North Greene at the plate. Chance Campbell finished 2 for 4 and Jonah Palmer drove in two runs.

Meredith and Joyner had 2-for-4 days for University High. Three of the Bucs’ seven hits went for extra bases. Besides Meredith’s aforementioned triple, Joyner and Jacob Pealer both doubled.

NEXT UP
The Huskies will host Hancock County in the Region 1-A semifinals with Foulks slated to be on the mound again. Meredith, the talented southpaw who led the Bucs to a 2-1 win over Hampton in the District 1-A semifinals, is scheduled to start at Greenback.

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The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

UH holds off Hampton in 1-A baseball
Douglas Fritz
May 12, 2021

It was a walk-off walk for University High.

Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, University High was staring at the real possibility of its baseball season coming to an end. But the Buccaneers rallied for a run in each of the last two innings and won as Jacob Pealer drew a bases-loaded walk for a 2-1 win over Hampton on Wednesday at David Crockett’s field in Jonesborough.

Pealer’s walk forced in Kaleb Meredith, who had singled as part of the seventh-inning rally.

The losers’ bracket final decision in the District 1-A tournament denied Hampton’s upset bid and ended the Bulldogs’ season.

 
“It was a little more stressful than I hoped for in an elimination game,” UH head coach Josh Petty said. “We came away with the win at the end and that’s all that matters.”

University High (19-12) will take on North Greene in Thursday’s championship round at 5 p.m. A second game, if necessary, would be played at 7:30. Both teams have earned berths in next week’s region tournament.

After five scoreless innings, Hampton went ahead on three straight hits off Meredith. The last of those was by Conor Jones and it plated the game’s first run.

The Buccaneers got even in the bottom of the sixth when Jesse Greene hit a sacrifice fly to score Pealer.

Hampton avoided elimination momentarily in the bottom of the seventh when the Bulldogs’ center fielder Parker Henry threw out Miles Bembry at home plate on a would-be game-winning single by Will Joyner.

“There were no outs and I felt like we could get home on that,” Petty said. “The kid made a good throw, the catcher blocked it up, and we couldn’t get to the plate.”

After Cade Pollock walked to load the bases, Pealer fought off one 3-2 pitch before drawing the decisive ball four.

Meredith was brilliant on the mound, going the distance with just 89 pitches. He allowed four hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts.

“We knew any team could put together an inning,” Petty said. “They put together a couple of hits and then (Jones) hit one over our second baseman’s head. That was the only inning they threatened against Kaleb.”

Joyner led UH at the plate with two hits.

Hampton pitcher Josh Owens allowed seven hits and walked seven batters in 61/3 innings, but allowed only two runs to score.

“I can’t express how proud I am of Josh Owens,” Hampton coach Nick Perkins said. “It was his first start since April 16 due to arm tenderness, and he takes a shutout into the sixth inning. It was a great performance.”

Perkins said his team had a superb season.

“The 2020 Hampton Bulldogs graduated 11 seniors and then the 2021 team comes back and wins 16 games, including 14 of our last 21,” Perkins said. “We won two postseason games and were two innings from the region — nothing to hang their heads about.”

The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

Roundup: Lady Trailblazers roll past Cherokee
Douglas Fritz
May 12, 2021

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BASEBALL

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North Greene 5, University High 1

The Huskies’ Carson Whaley hurled a three-hitter in the winners’ bracket final, accumulating 12 strikeouts along the way. Furthermore, he banged out a pair of doubles in a 2-for-3 effort from the plate.

Whaley doubled home the game’s first run as North Greene did all of its scoring in the bottom of the third. Jonah Palmer followed up with a two-run single.

Four batters and two hit-by-pitches later, Micah Jones supplied a two-run base hit of his own. The Huskies finished with six hits.

Cade Pollock socked a double for the Bucs, whose pitcher, Daniel Grindstaff, was victimized by three unearned runs. Grindstaff struck out four batters.

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Love our Bucs! The following articles were printed in the Johnson City Press: 

 District 1-A baseball: UH runs past North, Hampton falls
Douglas Fritz
May 8, 2021

Kaleb Meredith was in control on the mound, and Jessee Greene carried the loudest stick.

University High stopped Sullivan North 8-1 in the District 1-A baseball tournament Saturday at David Crockett’s field in Jonesborough.

The Buccaneers earned a spot in Monday’s winners’ bracket final at 5 p.m. against top-seeded North Greene, which defeated Hampton by a score of 8-0.


Hampton and Sullivan North will meet Monday in an elimination game at 7:30 p.m.

   
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Meredith worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out seven and walking none.

"He did a good job throwing strikes," said UH head coach Josh Petty. "He threw to contact and the defense did well behind him. I was proud of his effort."

Greene had a double and triple among his three hits and drove in a run.

"He had a good day," said Petty. "He also closed out the last 1 2/3 innings on the mound because we pulled Meredith at 72 pitches so he could come back Tuesday if we need him."

Will Joyner, who had two hits and scored three times, got UH on the board in the bottom of the first when he stole home on the back end of a double steal. UH scored again in the second, three times in the third, and never looked back.


Connor Horton also added a pair of hits for the Buccaneers, who improved to 18-11 on the season.

Chandler Raleigh had two hits to lead the Raiders (8-15) at the plate.

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 Roundup: Unicoi County knocks off Cyclones
Douglas Fritz
May 8, 2021

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University High 8 Sullivan North 1
Kaleb Meredith was in control on the mound, and Jessee Greene carried the loudest stick as the Buccaneers rolled in the District 1-A tournament.

Meredith worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and one run while striking out seven and walking none.

“He did a good job throwing strikes,” said UH head coach Josh Petty. “He threw to contact and the defense did well behind him. I was proud of his effort.”

Greene had a double and triple among his three hits and drove in a run.

“He had a good day,” said Petty. “He also closed out the last 1 2/3 innings on the mound because we pulled Meredith at 72 pitches so he could come back Tuesday if we need him.”

Will Joyner, who had two hits and scored three times, got UH on the board in the bottom of the first when he stole home on the back end of a double steal. UH scored again in the second, three times in the third, and never looked back. Connor Horton also added a pair of hits for the Buccaneers, who improved to 18-11 on the season.

Chandler Raleigh had two hits to lead the Raiders (8-15) at the plate.

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The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

Roundup: UH wins tight battle against Providence
Douglas Fritz
May 5, 2021
 
Joseph Armstrong’s RBI grounder in the top of the seventh inning was the game-winner as University High held off Providence Academy for a 2-1 high school baseball victory Wednesday.

The Buccaneers sent four pitchers to the mound. Kaleb Meredith and Cade Pollock each pitched an inning while Jesse Greene went two. Daniel Grindstaff finished things off with three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out two to earn the win.

Armstrong led the Bucs with two hits and two RBIs. Miles Bembry also had two hits.

Mabry Runnels led the Knights with three hits. Nathan Eisfelder added two hits. Tyner Simpson threw five strong innings, allowing six hits and one run while overcoming five walks.
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Athletic News Articles.  The following articles were printed in the Johnson City Press:

Roundup: Pigeon Forge shuts out Cyclones
Douglas Fritz
May 1, 2021
...... 
University High 16, Cosby 2

Will Joyner totaled two hits and four RBIs as the Buccaneers ran away from the Eagles.

Jacob Pealer ripped a home run while Daniel Grindstaff added three RBIs. Connor Horton had two hits and two RBIs while Cage Markland drove in a pair of runs. Kaleb Meredith went 2 for 3.

Grindstaff was dominant in relief, striking out eight of the nine batters he faced in three hitless innings.

Bucs Baseball Victory Over Hampton!  The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

Roundup: Blue Devils roll past conference foe Sullivan East
Douglas Fritz
 Apr 27, 2021
  
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University High 10, Hampton 3

With Jacob Pealer pitching five effective innings and picking up a pair of RBIs, the Bucs took measure of visiting Hampton.

Pealer allowed all three opposing runs, but just one was earned. Daniel Grindstaff effectively worked the sixth and seventh in a relief role.

University High’s Will Joyner and Joseph Armstrong (triple) were good for two hits apiece, with Joyner driving in a pair of runs. Cade Pollock socked an RBI double, scored twice and drew two hit-by-pitches in a 1-for-1 day.

The Bucs totaled eight stolen bases, including two apiece from Pealer and Hank Stott.

Hampton, which led 3-1 before UH generated four runs in the bottom of the second inning, had nine hits after being held to two by the Bucs on Monday.

Designated hitter Josh Owens finished at 3 for 3 with three RBIs and is 15 for his last 16 at-bats.

The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

Roundup::: UH impressive in league win over Hampton
Douglas Fritz
April 27, 2021

On Monday, University High thoroughly stumped a Hampton team that had been playing well.

With Kaleb Meredith hurling a six-inning two-hitter and Jacob Pealer driving across three runs, the Buccaneers struck for an 11-0 Watauga Valley Conference baseball win on the road.

Meredith struck out nine batters, walking only one. Pealer batted 2 for 3, stretching one of those hits into a double.


Doing their part to fuel a 10-hit UH attack were Hank Stott (double) and Will Joyner (2 runs) with two hits apiece. Meredith collected a pair of RBIs.

  
Bulldogs pitcher Brody Hicks made the first varsity start of his high school record. He kept the Bucs off the board through the first two innings, then ran into difficulty.

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The following article was printed in the  Johnson City Press :

Roundup:: Blue Devils outlast Cherokee in 10 innings
Douglas Fritz
 Apr 23, 2021
 ...... 


University High 12, Sullivan Central 1
A nine-inning top of the first, in which Connor Horton clubbed a three-run homer and Will Joyner a two-run triple, got the Bucs rolling toward a five-inning finish.

Joyner, who homered in the third to match Horton in the RBI department (three), went 3 for 4 with two runs. Hank Stott doubled, tripled and scored twice in a 2-for-3 day at the dish. Cade Pollock added a double, two runs and a pair of walks.

Winner Daniel Grindstaff held the Cougars to a run on two hits in a three-inning start. Joseph Armstrong and Pollock each threw an inning to help hold Central to three hits.

Logan Bowers and Preston Staubus doubled for the Cougars.

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Go, Bucs, Go! Several articles were printed in the Johnson City Press over the last few days highlighting our Athletic teams as follows:

High school roundup: University High takes down state's top-ranked team
Douglas Fritz
11 hrs ago

Talk about big wins.

University High took down the state’s No. 1-ranked baseball team, beating North Greene 2-1 in a dandy high school baseball battle Monday at Science Hill’s Broyles Field.

UH coach Josh Petty said his team’s tough schedule played a role in getting this win.


“I think it is a big deal,” Petty said. “Getting to see low 80s weekly, it helps when you face strong Class A pitchers. We’re not surprised by anything. I think it really helped.”

   
Kaleb Meredith had his fingerprints all over this one. On the mound he went the distance, buffering the Huskies’ tough lineup and limiting them to three hits. Meredith gave up a first-inning run and nothing else, striking out nine, allowing five hits and walking one.

“Kaleb threw the ball well,” Petty said. “He threw his secondary stuff great. And he came up big at the plate. He had a good day.”

At the plate, Meredith had a key one-out hit that put Hank Stott in scoring position for Will Joyner’s go-ahead sacrifice fly. Meredith also drove in UH’s first run with a fourth-inning single. Meredith and Stott each finished with two hits.

No. 9 hitter Miles Bembry had sacrifice bunts to set up each of UH’s two runs.

North Greene ace Carson Whaley got the loss for the Huskies. The left-hander allowed eight hits and striking out nine batters in a complete-game performance.

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Roundup: Boone sweeps baseball tourney games
Douglas Fritz
Apr 17, 2021

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University High 9-17 Gatlinburg-Pittman 2-4

Miles Bembry went 3 for 3, Kaleb Meredith drove in three runs and both UH players doubled in the first game of a non-conference sweep.

Meredith, Jacob Pealer and Jesse Greene banged out two hits apiece for the Bucs, with Greene picking up a pair of RBIs.

Greene won a three-inning start from the mound. He gave up just one hit while both runs he yielded were unearned. Cade Pollock followed with a couple of shutout frames.

The second game ended three outs after the Bucs put up a eight-run fifth. Pollock amassed five RBIs in a 3-for-5 performance (double), Brayden Ryder drove in four runs while batting 2 for 3 and Hank Stott was 3 for 3 with a double and three RBIs.

Going 2 for 3, Meredith tripled and scored twice. For the game, the Bucs totaled 11 hits, giving them 20 for the day.

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FRIDAY

University High 16, Cosby 0

Miles Bembry and Connor Horton combined to hold Cosby to one hit, Kaleb Meredith struck for a pair of doubles and the Buccaneers dusted Cosby in four innings.

Bembry threw the first three innings, collecting six strikeouts. Horton notched a pair of punch-outs in his one inning and neither pitcher issued a walk.

UH totaled 11 hits with Meredith and Joseph Armstrong (2 runs) each responsible for two. Jacob Pealer, who doubled, contributed three RBIs while Meredith, Will Joyner and Daniel Grindstaff all drove in a pair of runs.

Connor Horton tripled, Cade Pollock doubled and both players scored twice.

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Roundup: Eaton pitches Hilltoppers past Sullivan East
Douglas Fritz
Apr 15, 2021

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University High 7, South Greene 1

Jacob Pealer had three hits, two RBIs and went six strong innings on the mound to lead the Buccaneers.

Pealer allowed just two hits with six strikeouts. Joseph Armstrong had two hits and two RBIs. Cade Pollock and Will Joyner each had two hits.

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The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

High school roundup:: UH lands in record book with 37-run outburst
Douglas Fritz
Apr 13, 2021

Generating the fourth-highest run total in state history, University High downed Watauga Valley Conference rival Unaka 37-1 in a baseball game Tuesday at Thomas Stadium.

The Bucs amassed 25 hits in the five-inning affair, getting a 5-for-5 performance (three doubles) from Cade Pollock. He totaled six RBIs and also scored five runs.

Matching Pollock in the RBI department was Daniel Seehorn, who went 3 for 4 (2 doubles) with four runs and two walks. Joseph Armstrong banged out four hits in five at-bats, drove in four runs and scored four times.


Also for UH, Will Joyner was 3 for 3 with three runs. Garrett Gentry collected five RBIs in a 2-for-4, 2-run day and Connor Horton batted 2 for 2, scoring three times. Joyner and Horton both doubled and tripled as the Bucs cranked out 11 extra-base hits (9 doubles, 2 triples).

Other Bucs of note were Kaleb Meredith (2-5, double, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), Davis Hampton (double, 3 RBIs, 2 runs) and Daniel Grindstaff (3 runs, 3 RBIs). Meredith also went the distance for the pitching win, recording 12 strikeouts in the process. He held the Rangers to three hits and the run he allowed he unearned.

UH, which boasted a pair of 15-run innings (2nd, 4th), drew 10 walks in the contest with Jaxson Williams (2 runs) accumulating three.

The Rangers’ Landon Ramsey was 2 for 3 with a triple.

The state record for single-game runs belongs to Unicoi County, which beat Mt. Heritage, N.C., 53-6 in 1985. Four of the top six scoring efforts have been recorded by Northeast Tennessee schools (Unicoi 2, UH 1, Unaka 1).

The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

High school roundup: Rollins, Cyclones produce one-sided win

Douglas Fritz
April 13, 2021
 
......

University High 15, Unaka 0

Cade Pollock threw 11 strikeouts and allowed just two hits as the Bucs made quick work of the Rangers.

Kaleb Meredith, Will Joyner and Pollock all had two hits and scored two runs at the top of the lineup.

Connor Horton, batting from the clean-up spot, had two RBIs and scored three runs. Jesse Greene also scored three times, while Joseph Armstrong had two hits and drove in two runs. Garrett Gentry added two RBIs.

The following articles were published in the Johnson City Press:

Roundup: Science Hill gets no-hitter, perfect game on same day
Douglas Fritz
Apr 6, 2021
 
.....

University High 13, Sullivan North 2

Getting three RBIs from both Connor Horton and Kaleb Meredith, the Buccaneers dusted Sullivan North for the second day in a row.

Horton was 2 for 2 with a double, two runs and a pair of walks. Meredith went 2 for 3 and had a sacrifice fly.

Brayden Ryder doubled and scored three times, Daniel Grindstaff tallied two RBIs and the Bucs got on base 14 times by walks (8) and hit-by-pitches (6).

Grindstaff (3 IP, 7 Ks) picked up the pitching win as he and Joseph Armstrong (4 Ks), who hurled two shutout frames, combined for 11 strikeouts.

....

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High school roundup: Torbett goes long to lead Hilltoppers over Pioneers

Douglas Fritz
Apr 5, 2021
 
..........

University High 14, Sull. North 0

Holding the Golden Raiders to three hits, Kaleb Meredith struck out seven batters over five complete-game innings. He also knocked in a pair of runs.

Will Joyner enjoyed a bountiful RBI day, totaling five in a 2-for-3, 2-run effort. Cade Pollock finished at 2 for 2, Joseph Armstrong tallied two RBIs and Connor Horton coupled three walks with two runs.

......

Love our Bucs!  The following article was printed in the Johnson City Press:

Meredith throws one-hitter in Bucs' win over Warriors

March 24, 2021
 
University High senior pitcher Kaleb Meredith struck out nine in the Bucs’ win over Happy Valley.

ELIZABETHTON — Kaleb Meredith pitched a one-hit shutout and struck out nine as University High made quick work of Happy Valley in a five-inning game at Cannon-Gouge Park.

Meredith, who is committed to Tennessee, kept the Warriors off balance all day in a 10-0 victory.

Connor Horton had a big day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and driving in five runs for the Bucs. Hank Stott and Meredith also went 2-for-4, while Jacob Peeler reached base three times and scored twice.

.....

The Johnson City Press printed the following article featuring UH's Kaleb Meredith.  There are also some great photos in the press. 

UH's Meredith has all the right tools
By Tanner Cook, December 3, 2020

Kaleb Meredith has already had some big moments in his two-sport career at University High and he’s not even halfway through his senior year.

“I would compare being on the pitcher’s mound in those big moments to being at the free-throw line late in the game,” Meredith said. “Every single pitch is so important. You’re trying to block out everything else and not really focus on anything else except the batter and the catcher or you and the goal.

“It’s all about staying focused and getting your job done.”


Meredith, a Class A all-state guard for the Bucs basketball team, has already accumulated 2,251 career points and is averaging more than 36 points a game this season.

  
As a left-handed pitcher, he’s amassed 74 strikeouts in 69 innings and a 2.47 ERA. And that’s without a junior season that got canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

BIG MOMENTS
One of his highlight games came against Tennessee High two weeks ago when he scorched the nets for a career-high and school-record 49 points in Viking Hall.

“That was amazing because that’s where they play the Arby’s (Classic) and that’s a big gym,” Meredith said. “That’s where you want to play around here and it was an amazing feeling.

“I think the school record had been standing since 2009.”

Meredith scored his 2,000th point in last season’s District 1-A finals on a game-winning buzzer-beater against Hampton.

“The shot itself was surreal and I found out 20 minutes later that I had passed 2,000 on that shot,” Meredith said.

The Bucs made an appearance at the 2019 state basketball tournament in Murfreesboro, but lost to McKenzie in the first-round. Meredith scored 33 of UH’s 49 points.

“That whole experience was something else,” Meredith said. “Walking in and being able to have passes to get on a big floor with people everywhere was awesome. I really can’t describe it.”

The following spring, UH made a return appearance to the state baseball tournament behind a deadly 1-2 pitching punch of Michael Degennero and Meredith.

In the opening game of the 2018 state tournament against Loretto, the Bucs went up against future San Diego Padres first-round pick Ryan Weathers.

“Obviously, it’s an honor to go to the state baseball tournament, but it feels almost like a travel tournament because we’re playing at local high schools,” Meredith said. “(Weathers) was a force. I got lucky because I didn’t have to hit against him, but he faced six batters against us. He had five strikeouts and one of our guys managed to hit a grounder to third.

“He could hit, too. Pitchers don’t usually hit, but he hit one over the scoreboard against us.”

ON THE HARDWOOD
“I started coaching (Kaleb) in seventh grade,” UH basketball coach Herman Rice said. “That was his first year at University School. Kaleb is one of those kids within 15 minutes of the first practice, you knew that you had something special.”


Meredith won the Northeast Tennessee scoring title last season, averaging 24.6 points in 36 games.

Through his junior season, Meredith is averaging 20.3 points for his career, shooting 50.5% from the field, making 38% of his shots from deep and nailing 77.3% of his free throws.

Coming into his senior season, Meredith needed to make 116 3-pointers to make the top 10 list all-time in the state’s history (335).

If he were to have another monster season like he did last year, where he scored 882 points, Meredith could be looking at the magical 3,000-point mark.

“Another thing about him is that some kids with his talent would come to practice and not take it seriously, but he’s the hardest worker I’ve got,” Rice said. “He always has been. It shows in his game and also his leadership. These younger guys look up to him and it speaks to the quality of a human being that he is.”

CHASING HISTORY
Only 22 boys and 9 girls in the history of Tennessee high school basketball have ever scored more than 3,000 points, according to the TSSAA record books. Only one — 1979 David Crockett graduate Jennifer Taylor (Campbell) with 3,144 — from the Johnson City Press/Kingsport Times-News coverage area has achieved the mark.

Former Tennessee High and Kentucky standout and Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick Derrick Hord still maintains the Northeast Tennessee boys scoring title, having amassed 2,947 points in his illustrious career that ended in 1979.

ON THE BUMP
A dominant southpaw in high school is something that most baseball players don’t want to see when they step into the batter’s box.

“What drew me to Tennessee is it really is like that hometown thing,” Meredith said. “Everyone around here loves them and they have great team success. They were 11th in the country before the pandemic shut them down.”

Said UH baseball coach Josh Petty: “When he can spin the ball and bury it deep and in the right-handed batter’s box, they have little to no chance. We knew exactly what we were getting one of the first times we saw him.

“When you’ve got a fastball in the 80s and you have command, you’re going to play in college. Kaleb has all the tools to be successful at the next level.”

In league play in his first two seasons, Meredith is 4-0, has a 0.76 ERA, a 0.79 WHIP and a 10.7 strikeout per game rate.

Meredith isn’t shabby at the plate either, tallying a .415 career on-base percentage and has 29 steals.

“He does a great job working deep into the count and he sees the ball about as well as anybody,” Petty said. “The thing that speaks to his work ethic is on weekends — he goes out there in the winter and throws his bullpen session.”

OFF THE PLAYING FIELD
In the classroom, Meredith excels as well, toting a 3.9 GPA and has a 29 on the ACT.

“He’s always on time and he’s one of the most humble people you’ll ever meet,” Petty said. “He’s quiet and let’s his actions do the talking. He’s a real top-notch kid.”

Said Rice: “Kaleb doesn’t have a selfish bone in his body. He’s such a great kid and if you got to know him, you’d realize how much better of a person he is than he is an athlete. And he’s a really good athlete.”