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Sequatchie County wins Region 4-AA baseball championship behind Austin Mitchell’s gem on the mound

Baseball players in the Sequatchie County dugout shake their caps as they encourage their fellow Indians during the Region 4-AA title game against Grundy County on Wednesday night. Baseball players in the Sequatchie County dugout shake their caps as they encourage their fellow Indians during the Region 4-AA title game against Grundy County on Wednesday night.

By Patrick MacCoon May 16, 2019 3 min read

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Sequatchie County baseball

Sequatchie County's Griffin Hall (25) is safe at second as he beats the tag of the Grundy Couny second baseman. The Sequatchie County Indians hosted the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in the Region 4-AA baseball championship on May 15, 2019.

Sequatchie's Trevor Ritchie (12) watches the ball sail into the outfield. The Sequatchie County Indians hosted the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in the Region 4-AA baseball championship on May 15, 2019.

Sequatchie's Bodie Terry (22) beats the Grundy pitcher to the plate as Terry scores on a wild pitch. The Sequatchie County Indians hosted the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in the Region 4-AA baseball championship on May 15, 2019.

Sequatchie head coach Derrin Easterly confers with Tyler Lynn (21) and another player. The Sequatchie County Indians hosted the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in the Region 4-AA baseball championship on May 15, 2019.

Sequatchie's Collin Hudson (3) gets back to first before the tag in a Grundy pickoff attempt. The Sequatchie County Indians hosted the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in the Region 4-AA baseball championship on May 15, 2019.

Sequatchie County's Austin Mitchell (16) pitches for the Indians. The Sequatchie County Indians hosted the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in the Region 4-AA baseball championship on May 15, 2019.

Sequatchie's Michael Cooper (20) dives to catch a Grundy flyball. The Sequatchie County Indians hosted the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in the Region 4-AA baseball championship on May 15, 2019.

DUNLAP, Tenn. – Soon after his masterful start on the baseball diamond, Sequatchie County junior Austin Mitchell was greeted warmly.

As the tall junior right-hander made his way down the hill to support his school’s softball team in their region championship battle, he received handshakes and high-fives from every teammate.

Mitchell was Greg Maddux-like, needing only 77 pitches to pitch a complete-game, two-hit shutout of Grundy County in a 3-0 victory that secured the Region 4-AA championship Wednesday. The game lasted just 1 hour and 15 minutes.

“We are like brothers. We are 100% team,” said Mitchell, who also padded his lead with an opposite-field double to right to score Trevor Ritchie in the fifth. “We do everything together. I know my guys always have my back.”

The winning pitcher – who improved to 8-1 and lowered his season ERA to 1.70 while helping the Indians advance to Friday’s home sectional against Signal Mountain – was backed by great defense.