Signal Mountain slugger Ben Timblin is crushing the baseball at an impressive rate lately as the senior leads the state of Tennessee in home runs with nine.
For the second consecutive game Timblin mashed two home runs and a double, this time leading the Eagles to a 9-2 District 6-3A victory over visiting Red Bank on Monday.
The answer to the Wofford signee's incredible success on the diamond is his work ethic and the ability to reset.
"I just try to stay consistent on my work outs and hitting off the machine," Timblin said. "Consistency is how you get progress. These days are awesome, but tomorrow is a new day. You have to have a fresh mindset. Because if you ride the highs of baseball, the game will humble you. I love baseball. I just try to go out there and work hard and see what happens."
Timblin has been a steady force from the start of his prep career for Signal Mountain, who has been one of the best teams in the state this season with a 19-3 overall record and 7-0 mark in district play.
As a freshman, he hit in the third spot of the lineup and also was called upon in crucial moments to close out games on the mound in the region tournament against Loudon and in the sectionals against DeKalb County to help the Eagles advance to the state tournament.
Through his last seven at-bat's now, Timblin has four home runs, two doubles, eight runs batted in to go with a sacrifice fly and a stolen base.
"My favorite part about Ben is he stays level-headed," Signal Mountain coach Josh Gandy said of the two-sport athlete, who was also a starting guard on a 19-win basketball team last season. "If you watch him, you can't tell if he's 0-for-4 or 4-for-4. He goes about his business the right way. That's rare. I am proud of the way he conducts himself. He is seeing the ball well and barreling it up. He is just a great ball player."
Timblin's eighth home run of the year came in his second at-bat Monday in which he timed a curve ball perfectly to pull a three-run shot deep over the left field fence. In his next trip to the plate he launched his ninth roundtripper, as he barreled a fastball that got out in a hurry over the right-center field fence. He just missed a home run in his final at-bat, as he hit a double that landed at the foot of the center field fence.
Eagles junior second baseman Cash Keene showcased power from the left-side of the plate with a double off the face of the center field fence to highlight his two-hit, two-RBI day. Keene reached base three times along with senior teammates Blake Wolfard, Jake Edmondson and sophomore Bo Cooper.
"We just have to keep doing what we are doing," Timblin said. "I appreciate all of my teammates. They are doing a great job and Barrett Anderson continues to pound the rock this season on the mound. I love being able to play with my friends and we are having a good time. I thank God for the ability to come out here and play. He has blessed me with so much."
Anderson struck out nine Red Bank batters over six innings in which he gave up four hits, one walk and two earned runs. Keene threw a scoreless inning in relief to close the game.
Red Bank senior Logan Denton nearly left the yard with an opposite field double and was brought home on a single by Jack Barkeloo. Eric Hill also legged out an infield single to plate the other run for the Lions (12-10, 3-4).
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.