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NASHVILLE WEATHER

Opportunistic Jo Byrns offense earns season-opening sweep of Christian Community





Jo Byrns celebrates a home run by Zach Worsham.PHIL STAUDER

Jo Byrns celebrates a home run by Zach Worsham.PHIL STAUDER

Offensively, it’s hard to picture a much better start to Jo Byrns’ baseball season.

The Red Devils scored 18 runs in two days and picked up back-to-back wins over reigning TSIAA champion Christian Community. They finished the two-game sweep on Tuesday, March 15 in White House with a 12-8 win.

“I can’t be any happier about the two wins,” Jo Byrns coach John Mark Hendricks said. “I told the guys when it’s this early, you just have to compete. If you come out a winner that’s positive, so I’m proud of them.”

After winning their home and season opener 6-4 the day prior, the Devils battled to come away with their first win on the road.

Jo Byrns saw three separate leads (3-0, 4-2 and 8-4) dwindle before assembling a four-run seventh inning put away the Colts (2-2).

Christian Community, which never led in Tuesday’s contest, trailed by just two runs entering the top-half of the seventh. But consecutive errors plated Isaac Shelton and eventually Taylor Head, while Jacob Miller and Zach Worsham also collected RBI.

Antwuan Lewis beats the ball back to first on an attempted pick-off.PHIL STAUDER

Antwuan Lewis beats the ball back to first on an attempted pick-off.PHIL STAUDER

“The guys have a lot of grit to them,” said CCS coach Shaun Oakley, whose team has won the TSIAA championship in three of the last four years. “They have a lot of fight to them. We’ve gotten down a lot and they’ve battled back. I’m super proud of the boys for that.

“We had an error tonight and last night that cost us two or three runs; a dropped third strike and we sail it over first (base). It goes to right field, and he gets a triple. Back-to-back nights we’ve had that. …We have some young kids out there, so it’s just continuing to work with them.”

Catcher Brayden Chunn powered the Colts on offense with three hits and two home runs, and Head, Miller and Worsham all had multi-hit games for Jo Byrns.

Worsham pitched just under four innings as a starter and reached base in all five trips to the plate. He hit his second home run in two games and batted in two runs as well.

Colts outfielder Brayden Pugh (27) watches as second baseman Connor Martin dives for a popup against Jo Byrns.PHIL STAUDER

Colts outfielder Brayden Pugh (27) watches as second baseman Connor Martin dives for a popup against Jo Byrns.PHIL STAUDER

The Red Devils look to keep up their high-scoring offense when returning home Friday to face the Tennessee Heat. Christian Community’s next game comes against South Haven on Monday.

“We have to continue to get better,” Hendricks said. “I think sometimes we took at-bats for granted. It’s early in the season, so we want to come out here and be ahead of everything. We’re trying to rush stuff. If we can just be patient (and) settle down, the offense is really going to start clicking.”

Will Batson (9) gets caught off third and is tagged out by CCS third baseman Connor Newton.PHIL STAUDER

Will Batson (9) gets caught off third and is tagged out by CCS third baseman Connor Newton.PHIL STAUDER

Christian Community first baseman Drew Belcher is safe at third as the ball get away from Zach Worsham.PHIL STAUDER

Christian Community first baseman Drew Belcher is safe at third as the ball get away from Zach Worsham.PHIL STAUDER

CCS right fielder Brayden Pugh loses a fly ball in the sun.PHIL STAUDER

CCS right fielder Brayden Pugh loses a fly ball in the sun.PHIL STAUDER

Jo Byrns shortstop Taylor Head tries to steal home but was tagged out by CCS catcher Brayden Chunn.PHIL STAUDER

Jo Byrns shortstop Taylor Head tries to steal home but was tagged out by CCS catcher Brayden Chunn.PHIL STAUDER

Connor Newton lays down a bunt attempt against Jo Byrns.PHIL STAUDER

Connor Newton lays down a bunt attempt against Jo Byrns.PHIL STAUDER

CCS third baseman Connor Martin floats back to second during action against Jo Byrns.PHIL STAUDER

CCS third baseman Connor Martin floats back to second during action against Jo Byrns.PHIL STAUDER

Zach Worsham started on the hill for the Red Devils against Christian Community.PHIL STAUDER

Zach Worsham started on the hill for the Red Devils against Christian Community.PHIL STAUDER

Brayden Chunn gets a fist bump from a Christian Community coach.PHIL STAUDER

Brayden Chunn gets a fist bump from a Christian Community coach.PHIL STAUDER

Garrett Oakley started on the mound for the Colts against Jo Byrns.PHIL STAUDER

Garrett Oakley started on the mound for the Colts against Jo Byrns.PHIL STAUDER

Zach Worsham gets back to the bag.PHIL STAUDER

Zach Worsham gets back to the bag.PHIL STAUDER

Antwuan Lucas (5) beats out an infield hit as Drew Belcher stretches to get the throw.PHIL STAUDER

Antwuan Lucas (5) beats out an infield hit as Drew Belcher stretches to get the throw.PHIL STAUDER

Antwuan Lucas is tagged out at second by Christian Community's Connor Martin.PHIL STAUDER

Antwuan Lucas is tagged out at second by Christian Community’s Connor Martin.PHIL STAUDER

Jo Byrns coach John Mark Hendricks (right) meets with his team during a break in the action.PHIL STAUDER

Jo Byrns coach John Mark Hendricks (right) meets with his team during a break in the action.PHIL STAUDER

Lawson Tea fires a pitch for CCS.PHIL STAUDER

Lawson Tea fires a pitch for CCS.PHIL STAUDER

CCS center fielder Ray Beach can't jump high enough to stop a Jo Byrns ball from going for a home run.PHIL STAUDER

CCS center fielder Ray Beach can’t jump high enough to stop a Jo Byrns ball from going for a home run.PHIL STAUDER

 

 

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