Highlanders Fall 10-4 To Eagleton Royals After Hot Start

In a game where a fast start can change the entire complexion of a game, the Gatlinburg Pittman Highlanders got off to a scorching hot start, but one inning doomed them and left them on the wrong side of the scoreboard, Tuesday evening at Fisher Field on the campus of Gatlinburg Pittman High School.

"That's kind of been our downfall this season, is that one inning. We kind of get rolling and we struggle with getting through that one inning, where we put extra guys on and we get in a position where we have to make a play, and we just haven't been able to make it." said Coach Brett Gaff.

Sophomore Hayden Shultz would get the nod on the hill for the Highlanders, where he made quick work of the Royals batters going 3 up, 3 down, on a trio of strikeouts to start the game.

The hot start would continue into the bottom half of the frame. Senior Jayden Barton tripled and scored one batter later on a single to right field from Nathan Williams. Ayden Simington would enter the game as a courtesy runner for the catcher Williams, where he stole second base and scored one batter later off the bat of senior Craig Huskey who roped a double into the right field gap to make it 2-0 Highlanders before the final two outs would be recorded.

In the top of the second inning, the Royals capitalized on five walks and two singles by Aden Sheddan and Chase Herman to score six runs, to grab the lead 6-2.

Eagleton made quick work of Gatlinburg Pittman in the 2nd after Shultz reached first. He was called out on the pickoff move by Eagleton starter Jayce Simon, and one ground ball later the Royals would head back to the plate.

Easton Gaff worked a quick third inning with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout in only 10 pitches, bringing his team back to the plate down 6-2.

Barton led off the inning with a walk before advancing to second on a pass ball, Huskey walked two batters later, but nothing would come of the threat as the Royals would catch Barton stealing at third.

Eagleton would further their lead with two runs in the fourth after an error from centerfielder Colt Hammonds allowed the Royals a base runner at third, who scored one batter later on a single from Jack Kidd. Kidd would score on a triple from Simon and the Royals would lead 8-2 heading into the bottom of four.

The Highlanders couldn't get anything going as Benny Jones looked to reach on a bunt, but was called out due to runner interference on the play. The next batter Hammonds walked but was stranded at first following a pop fly and a strikeout from Shultz, & Aaron Johnson.

The Royals John Griffith led the fifth off with a single to center, the Highlanders would leave him stranded there following a strikeout from new GP pitcher Benny Jones. He induced a grounder and flyball, both delivering outs for the Highlanders and closing out the fifth inning.

Barton once again walked to lead off their portion of the fifth before stealing second. He advanced to third Williams second single of the game but was left stranded on third after the Highlanders couldn't get anything else working.

Jones worked a quick first two batters recording outs on a strikeout, and fly ball before walking Herman on four straight pitches. The next Royals batter Simon would take a 1-2 delivery deep over the right centerfield fence to give Eagleton a 10-2 lead.

Gatlinburg Pittman would get to work in the 6th as Jones, & Hammonds would reach on walks before Shultz would plate both runners on a double to deep centerfield to bring the Highlanders within 10-4. Barton drew his third walk of the game but the Highlanders could not due any further damage and relief pitcher Kidd would get out of the jam and leave the Highlanders with two runners in scoring position.

Ryan Huskey worked a quick top of the 7th for the Highlanders retiring the side on 9 pitches including a pair of ground outs and one strikeout.

"That's really good for him, he's only thrown a couple of innings this year. He's gaining confidence as he gets going."

The Highlanders came to the plate in the final stanza with work to do, Gaff would single, but Jones would ground into a game ending 6-4-3 double play, to give Eagleton the 10-4 victory. Their second in as many days over the Highlanders.

Gatlinburg Pittman hosts Wartburg on Thursday for a doubleheader which is slated to begin at 3:00 PM at Fisher Field.

Hayden Shultz celebrates his 2-RBI double.

Easton Gaff delivers a pitch to the plate for the Gatlinburg Pittman Highlanders.