Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

Smoky Mountain baseball team loses first game in extra innings

By Carey Phillips
SMHS's Derrick Hawk

Derrick Hawk slides across the plate for Smoky Mountain's first run of the season in the opening inning of Monday's 5-3 loss to Roberson in extra innings.

Jared Chaney's two-run bloop single to right in the top of the eighth Monday lifted Roberson to a 5-3 victory over Smoky Mountain as the baseball season got under way at the SM field.

It was a rematch of a first round state playoff game last year when the Rams won 1-0 en route to a state runner-up finish.

Chaney came off the bench in the sixth inning and was two of two. Teammates Brandon Mays and Kenny Smith both went two of four.

The Mustangs managed just two hits and were hitless after the first inning.

"We did a lot of good things," Coach Tim Hawkins said. "Their pitching is just ahead of us right now."
Chaney's game-winning hit came with two out. It followed two walks, one intentional, and a double steal.

An unearned run gave Roberson a 3-1 lead in the top of the sixth, but the Mustangs tied it by scoring twice in the bottom of the inning. Jake Lunnen and Josh Carnes walked around Trent Dillard being hit by a pitch to load the bases. A two-out error allowed SM to tie the game.

The Mustangs scored in the first as they got their only two hits off Roberson ace left-hander Chris Narveson. Singles by Derrick Hawk and Lunnen put runners on the corners with one out. With Darius Bryson running for Lunnen, SM executed a double steal, and Hawk beat the throw home.

Narveson gave the Rams a 2-1 lead with a single in the third. Smith and Hayes singled to start the inning and moved up on a sacrifice.

Bo Dickerson pitched two innings for Roberson to pick up the win.

Hawk, who pitched the eighth inning, took the loss.

Lunnen went the first seven frames. He allowed seven hits and four walks while striking out nine.

Hawkins said his team performed well in a number of areas to stay close despite getting only two hits while Roberson had eight.

"I was encouraged," he said. "I think we're going to have a good ballclub. I think our sticks will start coming around."

Back to Sports: 03/02/00.

Back to Archive: 03/02/00.