Walker Valley players Caleb Longley, No. 24, runs back to the dugout while his teammates congratulate him for scoring a run. Walker Valley played against Soddy-Daisy during the District 5-AAA baseball tournament at Walker Valley Highschool in Charleston, Tenn., on Tuesday evening.
Staff photo by Jenna Walker/Chattanooga Times Free PressCLEVELAND, Tenn. – Michael Houch might never touch 90 mph with his fastball, but the Walker Valley pitcher may never need it.
Houch gave up two first-inning runs to Soddy-Daisy but settled in to shut out the hard-hitting Trojans over the next six innings as the Mustangs rallied for a 6-2 victory and the District 5-AAA baseball tournament championship.
“I saw him throw on Saturday and could only hope we wouldn’t see him tonight,” Soddy-Daisy coach Jared Hensley said.
Following a 27-pitch first inning, the Walker Valley lefty needed just 63 more pitches. He threw just seven in the fourth and eight in the third and fifth innings.
“That first inning I got a little concerned, but the coaches told me I wasn’t getting enough push off my back leg,” said Houch, better known among teammates as Cornbread. “This is the best I have thrown this year, and I was surprised to do it considering the competition.”