HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
This past weekend marked district tournament time for all baseball teams across Tennessee. Whitwell and South Pittsburg were originally scheduled to compete in a best-of-three series to determine the district champion. However, several days of relentless rain washed those plans away. Instead, the two teams faced off in a winner-take-all game last Sunday, with Whitwell emerging victorious, 5-0.
With the championship on the line, the Tigers turned to ace Jacob McCurry to lead them to the promised land. McCurry delivered, striking out 13 batters and allowing only one hit in a complete-game shutout.
Whitwell took control early. In the first inning, McCurry walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Freshman Bennett Goforth came through in the clutch with a sacrifice fly, giving the Tigers the only run they would need.
South Pittsburg had a golden opportunity to shift momentum in the top of the third. The leadoff batter walked, Britton Case singled, and Jace Stone walked, loading the bases with one out. But the Pirates failed to capitalize, as the next two batters couldn’t come through.
Following a brief weather delay, the Tigers broke the game open in the bottom of the third. Senior Garret Miller drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing in a run. Michael Kilgore then ripped a fastball to left field, driving in two more. In the fifth, McCurry helped his own cause with an RBI single, scoring Brody Harvey.
Three of Whitwell’s seniors—McCurry, Kilgore, and Miller—each had an RBI, as did Goforth. McCurry, Kilgore, and Harvey had the Tigers only hits. The win marks Whitwell’s second district championship in four years. For the Tigers, the goal remains the same: make it to the Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.
Whitwell begins Region Tournament play on Friday, May 9, at either Sale Creek or CSLA. Game time is still TBD.
