Jackets Move Up to No. 2 in State after Successful Week
Hines Throws No-hitter against Moore County
By Terry Futrell
It was a very successful week for Coalfield baseball as the Yellow Jackets chalked up five victories before losing to Division II Franklin Road Academy in the finals of the Yellow Jacket Classic at Lookout Valley, outscoring their opponents 49-16. As a result, the Jackets are now ranked No. 2 in the state by the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association.
Coalfield 18 Wartburg 2
The Yellow Jackets began their week with an 18-2 victory at home over the Wartburg Central Bulldogs. Levi Brasel was the winning pitcher for Coalfield, giving up two runs on only one hit, while striking out four. Luke Treece was the heavy hitter for the Jackets, hitting a double in the first, a triple in the third, and a single in the fourth inning. Treece accounted for six of the Jackets 18 runs, driving in four runs and scoring two runs.
Coalfield 7 Wartburg 1
Coalfield again faced Wartburg on Wednesday on the Bulldogs home field with Levi Heidel taking the mound. Samuel McCarty was the opening pitcher for the Bulldogs. The Jackets led 3-0 after three innings and pulled away for a 7-1 victory over the Bulldogs.
Coalfield 6 Harriman 3
Coalfield played four games in the Yellow Jacket Classic tournament at Lookout Valley on Thursday and Friday, overpowering Harriman 6-3 in their opening game on Thursday.
Coalfield 4 Lookout Valley 2
The Jackets moved on to take a 4-2 victory over an always tough Lookout Valley team on Friday. With the game tied at one in the bottom of the fifth, Levi Brasel hit a single and drove in two runs to give Coalfield the lead. Brasel was also on the mound for Coalfield, giving up only two runs on six hits in 6.2 innings, while striking out six. Brasel was Coalfield’s leading hitter in the game as well, going two for two at the plate.
Coalfield 10 Moore County 0
The Jackets topped off their play on Friday as Cole Hines pitched a no-hitter in Coalfield’s 10-0 victory over Moore County. Hines faced 15 Moore County batters in five innings, striking out seven while walking only three. Hines had the strong support of Coalfield’s fielders who committed no errors in the game. Hines and Levi Brasel were perfect at the plate, each hitting one for one and earning two walks. Reilly Brown led Coalfield batters, going two for three at the plate. Brown also reached base on his third at bat on an error by the Moore County shortstop. In 25 at bats, the Yellow Jackets tallied seven hits and eight walks, while scoring ten runs, including eight RBIs.
Coalfield 4 Franklin Road Academy 8
Coalfield closed out the Yellow Jacket Classic with an 8-4 loss to Division II Franklin Road Academy in the finals. The Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Reilly Brown singled on a line drive to right field, driving in Cole Hines who had led off with a walk. Franklin Road Academy scored on a 3-run homer in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead. Coalfield immediately responded by scoring two runs to tie the game 3-3. Hines and Luke Treece both singled and were driven home on singles by Levi Brasel and Brayden Burgess. Franklin Road Academy scored two more runs in the top of the third to take a 5-3 lead. Hines homered in the bottom of the sixth the bring the Jackets within one, but Franklin Road Academy scored on a 3-run homer off relief pitcher Brayden Burgess in the top of the seventh to increase their lead to 8-4 and seal the victory. Levi Heidel was the starter and losing pitcher for Coalfield.
The Yellow Jacket Classic afforded Coalfield the opportunity to face tougher competition, both in terms of batters and pitchers. Coalfield used six different pitchers in the six games played this week. The experience gained is sure to be a big factor in making a deep run into postseason play.