Back-to-back losses eliminate Trojans in state baseball

May 21, 2015 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated May 21, 2015 at 1:59 a.m.

by Ward Gossett

Soddy-Daisy infielder Justin Cooke makes the throw to 1st to try for a double play after forcing out Hardin Valley runner Landen Beyer during their Class AAA state baseball tournament at the TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
Soddy-Daisy infielder Justin Cooke makes the throw to 1st to try for a double play after forcing out Hardin Valley runner Landen Beyer during their Class AAA state baseball tournament at the TSSAA Spring Fling in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.

Read more

Spring Fling 2015 live coverage

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Out of steam emotionally and physically, Soddy-Daisy's baseball team took two on the chin Wednesday at the Spring Fling, finishing with a 12-3 loss to Bartlett before boarding the bus for the long ride home.

The Trojans, who won their tournament opener Tuesday, lost 6-1 to Hardin Valley earlier Wednesday.

They simply ran out of comebacks like their sectional victory over Smyrna in nine innings just to make the eight-team Class AAA field for state.

"When I look back, I won't remember this (day and games). I'll remember May 11-15, when we won the district (tournament), the region and the sectional," Soddy-Daisy coach Jared Hensley said as a shower pelted the Murfreesboro area late Wednesday night.

"I don't see how there could be a more fitting end to the 2015 season than to close the season in the final game in a rain shower," Hensley said.

Like most Chattanooga-area teams, Soddy-Daisy lost most of its preseason, its tournament and a number of other games to inclement weather that included snow in early March.

But even in reflection moments after a devastating loss that almost ended in five innings because of the 10-run rule, Hensley was already smiling at thoughts of a season that ended short of a state title.

"There's only one AAA team that's going to leave here happy," he said. "I'll remember the challenges these guys met."

This year's Trojans added Soddy-Daisy's fourth regional baseball championship and were just the fifth team in school history to reach state.

"I'm proud of the guys and I'm proud of the community that gathered to support these guys," he said. "I'm proud of Soddy-Daisy and I'm proud to be from Soddy-Daisy.

Gavin Rogers was the winning pitcher and the offensive leader in Tuesday's victory, and he was again the offensive leader in Wednesday's first game, going 2-for-4. The leaders in the loss to Bartlett were Tre Carter (2-for-3) and Chandler Sulcer (two RBIs).

A senior, Rogers had mixed emotions, but the positive bubbled out.

"Nope, I won't remember today but the ride getting here," he said. "My teammates - the best group of guys you'll ever meet."

Upcoming Events