Jefferson County wasn't listed among Tennessee's top 10 high school baseball teams in the early rankings, but the Patriots are off to a 3-1 start with a veteran team that intends to change that.
They got their third win of the year Friday by fighting off host Soddy-Daisy 11-9 in the Ooltewah Invitational.
Jefferson County led 9-0, but the Trojans came battling back and closed within three through five innings. The Patriots added two runs in the sixth and appeared again to have the game in hand, but Soddy-Daisy scored three more and had the tying run at the plate when the final out was made.
"Hats off to them. They came out swinging with the idea of getting control of the game," said Soddy-Daisy coach Jared Hensley. "I'm very proud of our comebacks. The guys didn't quit. They showed a lot of fight and they made things happen."
None more so than sophomore catcher Caden Ricketts, who currently bats sixth in the Trojans' order. That may soon change after his six RBIs against Jefferson County.
"I never had a day like that," he said after going 3-for-4 with a two-run single, a run-scoring double and a three-run homer. "On the homer the guy hung a changeup, and the double was a fastball."
Hensley exhibited a brief smile when asked about Ricketts' performance.
"For a sophomore he's been extremely good," the coach said. "He seems to come up big when guys are in scoring position, and six RBIs is a pretty good day at the park, but Caden has worked hard. He came in and made the necessary adjusts, and he works extremely hard. He's still learning but he knows he has lots to learn."
Ricketts seemed more excited with the attitude in the dugout and the promise he saw than his personal best.
"We can be good. This game shows how good we can be," he said. "We made a few mistakes, but the comeback shows what we're capable of."
The Trojans committed five errors, misplaying at least three fielding attempts that led to four of the Patriots' runs and leaving Hensley somewhat perplexed.
"We're 4-and-4 and it could be better if not for mistakes," he said. "We have given up a lot of unearned runs. Even in our wins we have set some folks back in games. It's something we'll work on."
Hayden Bailey, serving as the Trojans' designated hitter, was 2-for-2 and scored three runs.
Brent Livesay homered for Jefferson County, and Colton Bales and Taylor Long each had two hits.