Does anyone know what happened in this game?

Casey Earls pitched for the Jackets (probably their 3rd or 4th best pitcher) because they had played 3 games in the two days before. Hoskins, Pittman, and Tolliver each through significant innings in those games.

 

Whitley put up 6 in the top of the first with the help of a grand slam by Bowman. Middlesboro battled back and cut the lead to 7-4 after two and finally tied it up in the 3rd inning with a 3 run homer by eighth grader Jake Partin.

 

Whitley took the lead for good in the fifth with a solo homerun by Strickland. Earls began to struggle severely in he sixth, walking 4 and hitting a batter. There was nothing Middlesboro could do about it though because they had no one else to put in. They eventually put in Hatmaker to close the game out but it was too late. (Hatmaker started for them in the final game of their tournament later that day.)

 

Whitley looked like a solid team but I think Middlesboro would have beaten them with either Tolliver, Hoskins, or Pittman on the mound.

 

This season is going to be all about Middlesboro getting some experience. They don't have a single senior on the team and regularly start 4 freshman and an 8th grader. I still expect them to make some noise come tournament time.

This season is going to be all about Middlesboro getting some experience. They don't have a single senior on the team and regularly start 4 freshman and an 8th grader. I still expect them to make some noise come tournament time.

 

 

I thought the junior class was supposed to get Middlesboro back to the top of the region. Why are they having to play four freshmen and an eighth grader?

C- Branham FR

1B- Andrew Breeding JR

2B- Lance Brooks JR

SS-Tyler Hatmaker JR

3B-Casey Earls JR

LF-Pittman FR

CF-Partin 8th Grade

RF-Farr FR or SO (not 100% sure actually)

P-Hoskins JR

DH-A.J. Jones FR

 

When Earls is on the mound- 3B Tolliver FR.

When Hatmaker is on the mound- SS Earls and 3B Tolliver

 

The junior class has done pretty well but they are surrounded by so much youth it is incredible.

 

However, remember 2002 though. That year they started 6 freshmen and went to the FINAL FOUR. Most of the time, young teams have more of a go-get attitude. They have no pressure on them and each game they play like they have nothing to lose. I expect to see this type of play from Middlesboro come district time.

C- Branham FR

1B- Andrew Breeding JR

2B- Lance Brooks JR

SS-Tyler Hatmaker JR

3B-Casey Earls JR

LF-Pittman FR

CF-Partin 8th Grade

RF-Farr FR or SO (not 100% sure actually)

P-Hoskins JR

DH-A.J. Jones FR

 

When Earls is on the mound- 3B Tolliver FR.

When Hatmaker is on the mound- SS Earls and 3B Tolliver

 

The junior class has done pretty well but they are surrounded by so much youth it is incredible.

 

However, remember 2002 though. That year they started 6 freshmen and went to the FINAL FOUR. Most of the time, young teams have more of a go-get attitude. They have no pressure on them and each game they play like they have nothing to lose. I expect to see this type of play from Middlesboro come district time.

Pittman is a heck of a pitcher. He can flat out throw a baseball. I remember those freshman and Clay County had a classic last year at Middlesboro. I think it went to 8 innings. Those kids were good. I was really impressed with how they played.

Pittman is a heck of a pitcher. He can flat out throw a baseball. I remember those freshman and Clay County had a classic last year at Middlesboro. I think it went to 8 innings. Those kids were good. I was really impressed with how they played.

 

I would say that Pittman is the go-to-guy for the Jackets. Not only does he throw around 79-80-81, he throws a change-piece that is way above average.

I would say that Pittman is the go-to-guy for the Jackets. Not only does he throw around 79-80-81, he throws a change-piece that is way above average.

He will be one of the best players aroun by his Junior year. So he has gained about 7 or 8 mph on his fastball? I hope I can watch him pitch a game this season.

I thought the junior class was supposed to get Middlesboro back to the top of the region. Why are they having to play four freshmen and an eighth grader?

 

I believe they had a couple of players transfer to Whitley and maybe one or two quit.

I believe they had a couple of players transfer to Whitley and maybe one or two quit.

 

 

They had one player quit and one transfer to Whitley. They also had a couple of seniors who knew they wouldn't get to play this year and decided not to even come out. However, I think the coaching is estatic about this group because most importantly, they love the game.