Harris sparks Tigers past Bears

RINGGOLD, Ga. — Most baseball coaches beginning a season with a new team would appreciate an adjustment period — preferably a few easy games as coach and players become better acquanted on the field.

Brent Tucker is getting no such luxury in his initial season leading the Ringgold Tigers. Tuesday’s 6-3 win over visiting Bradley Central is part of a grueling early-season slate.

The Tigers (2-1) opened with Georgia Class AA runner-up Calhoun and Red Bank and have games coming up with McCallie, Soddy-Daisy and Baylor surrounding the Scenic City Classic.

“It’s demanding, but I know with this schedule that come April, when all the games will be tough, we’ll be ready,” Tucker said. “Right now, we’re still getting used to each other, but so far I like what I see. The guys are making plays and they’re working to get better each day.”

Tuesday’s win highlighted what is expected to be the team’s strengths this year. A senior-laden middle of the order drove in four runs and scored three, junior ace Zac Fairchild fired a complete-game six-hitter and a defense that had been somewhat suspect last year was flawless.

Senior catcher Justin Harris was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and his fifth-inning pickoff throw was the biggest defensive play of the game.

“He’s a defensive weapon for us,” Tucker said. “In the win over Calhoun he had no passed balls, and tonight he had none. Plus, his pickoff was huge and having a guy back there who keeps runners close is important.”

Following a three-run fourth inning highlighted by Harris’s RBI double and Fairchild’s one-out squeeze bunt, the Ringgold right-hander got into trouble in the fifth against the Bears, who were making their debut with new coach Travis Adams.

After a walk to Taylor Bryant and Tyler Cross’s infield single, a fielder’s choice left runners at second and first with one out. Harris, who had earlier picked off Bradley’s Timmy Lynn at first base, noticed Zach Roberts wandering off the base too far and signaled Michael Smith to come in behind him. Following the second pitch to Cole Brand, Harris fired a strike to first to get Roberts for out two.

Bradley rallied for two runs on Hagan Scoggins’ double, but the damage could have been worse.

“I like to snap throw and they were getting too far off at times,” said Harris, who also blocked several Fairchild pitches in the dirt with runners on. “That’s part of my job. Everybody is coming together as one, and we know we can be as good as we want to be.”

Their lead trimmed to two, the Tigers went to work in the fifth, beginning with freshman shortstop Zack Lance reaching on an error and leadoff man Zeth Ford getting hit with a Jon Clinard pitch. Clinard’s error on Rob Riley’s sacrifice-bunt attempt loaded the bases, but the Bradley pitcher struck out the dangerous Drew Walker before getting Smith to ground into a force play, with Lance cut down at home.

Harris, though, came through with a two-out, two-run single just past third to give Fairchild breathing room.

Fairchild, who walked five and struck out just three as he battled through some wildness, allowed Lynn’s RBI single in the sixth but managed to work out of trouble to get the win.