Gene Etter signals during a baseball game in this file photo.Baylor baseball coach Gene Etter got his 800th career win Saturday, but in his mind the milestone took a back seat to the Red Raiders winning the Division II East/Middle Region at Battle Ground Academy.
“It just so happens that whenever somebody gets a number like that, people put extra meaning to it, but it would have been just another game if not for winning the region,” Etter said.
On the last out of the record-setting game, the ball was hit back to pitcher John Tipton, who tossed it to first base.
“Somehow he got the ball back. When we got together he said, ‘Here’s the ball, Coach, for your 800th,'” Etter said. “It was a shock and I was also very appreciative. I had no idea the kids had any idea, and now I’m finding out that everybody knew about it but me.”
According to Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association records, 800 wins are the second-most in the state. The win also puts Etter in the top 35 all-time in the country, according to the National Federation of High Schools record book.
“It’s an incredible record, and to win his 800th and the region on the same day is phenomenal,” said McCallie coach Chris Richardson, a former Etter assistant.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765.