Horns gain confidence before Myrtle Beach trip

The Johnson County baseball team didn't scratch the win column last week in a home-and-home series with Three Rivers Conference-leading Unicoi County, but the Longhorns surely exited the matchups having gained some confidence. The Blue Devils hadn't trailed in a league game all season. Johnson County led 2-0 for three innings in a 6-2 setback on Monday at Pete Pavusek Memorial Stadium. The 'Horns had to face Walters State commitment Kolby Jones the following day in Erwin, and dropped a 7-0 decision. "We didn't leave embarrassed, so to speak," Perkins said. "We weren't scared and felt like we could compete. But by the same token, moral victories is not a column in the standings. We want to win baseball games." Left-handed sophomore Brock Jones went the distance in the opener. He gave up 12 hits, six runs and a walk while striking out four against a talented lineup, and proved something to Perkins along the way. Jones had a rough fourth inning and Perkins considered going to the bullpen. But he decided seeing how Jones responded would be most beneficial. "And Brock pitched well," Perkins said. "I almost pulled him, and I think he thought I was going to pull him. But he's a sophomore, so I'm still – part of his growth and maturation process was, okay we had a really bad inning, can he settle down? Can I leave him in and him bounce back from that inning? Can he settle down and finish the game? "And he did. We had to go curveball heavy the last couple of innings. They're a good fastball-hitting team. It seems like they hunt fastballs. I couldn't ask for anything more out of him." Kaden Blevins went 2-for-4 with a run in the 6-2 loss. "Kaden Blevins is one of the better baseball players in Northeast Tennessee," Perkins said. "It's just a fact. … He's swinging it really well." In the game at Unicoi County, Carson Jennings was 2-for-4 with a stolen base. He also allowed one earned run in 3 2/3 innings of relief. Perkins said Jennings will make his first start of the season on the mound during one of the conference games against South Greene on Monday. Third baseman Braxton Bragg continues to be steady in the field. He also went 1-for-3 at the plate on Monday against the Blue Devils. "He's playing as quality a high school third base as you'll see," Perkins said. "Third base in high school is a difficult, difficult position. He continues to play a tremendous third base for us." Senior left-hander Ethan Smith pitched a five-inning no-hitter in a 21-0 defeat of Cloudland on Thursday. Smith struck out nine and walked two. "Senior Ethan Smith threw a gem at Cloudland on Thursday," Perkins said. "I just want to say how valuable he's been to us – to have a quality senior starter for a Thursday game. All teams don't have that luxury." Bragg and Gavin Mahala each had three hits against the Highlanders. Bragg doubled twice and drove in four runs. Jones was 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, and Sawyer Marshall went 2-for-4 with three runs and two stolen bases. Following Monday's doubleheader at South Greene, Johnson County (3-4, 8-5) will prepare for a trip to Myrtle Beach for the South Atlantic Invitational, beginning on Thursday. Along with anticipating solid competition, Perkins hopes the trip will build camaraderie and enhance team chemistry, each of which he is already pleased with at this juncture.