A memorable ride to the TSSAA Division II-A state baseball championships for Silverdale Baptist Academy could of very well not happened if not for Turner Junkins' valiant comeback from injury.
On Nov. 12 in the second round of the state football playoffs, Junkins took a nasty hit to his right leg. The Seahawks' star junior defensive back remembers the sinking feeling in his gut.
"As soon as I got hurt my first thought was if I was going to be able to play baseball again because I knew my leg was broken," Junkins said. "I really thought I wouldn't get to play for awhile. They put a metal rod from my knee to my ankle and four screws in my leg. It has been a mental battle every single day since then to fight back and overcome obstacles. It's been hard gaining strength back, but I feel like I am finally getting back how I used to be."
The Seahawks (32-5-1) would have had a much steeper hill to climb if not for Junkins' return, as his impact has been felt on all levels of the game.
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound MTSU baseball commitment was able to beat his time frame back from the injury and put forth his most complete season yet. Junkins leads the area with 10 wins on the mound compared to just one loss, while he has struck out 80 batters over 55 1/3 innings with a 1.14 earned run average.
Silverdale's ace has also impressed out of the leadoff spot, where has 19 extra base hits, including three of his seven home runs coming in one game earlier this season when he drove in eight runs. His all-around play for the state's No. 1 team in home runs (56) has helped Lance Rorex's program advance to the Division II-A state semifinals, where they will face Goodpasture (38-4) at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Middle Tennessee Christian.
"I knew Turner would bounce back from his injury because he is the type of person who goes above and beyond to meet his goals," Rorex said. "He attacked his rehab and physical therapy and made sure he was back in time to play with his friends. What's special is he plays like he is 6-foot-5 and throws 103. The bulldog mentality he brings is so special. You simply can't teach that.
"When he goes out to the mound he thinks no one is better than him. He really works his tail off and has such a high IQ for the game."
Fellow junior star Brett Rogers (.490 average, 13 home runs, 32 stolen bases) remembers worrying in the preseason if Junkins would make a return in time. Now, his good friend will be taking the mound for the Seahawks in Murfreesboro in game one.
"I kept thinking to myself what are we going to do without Turner?" Rogers said. "Not only is he our leadoff hitter, but he is our best pitcher. He is the ace we can roll out there and have confidence against anybody. If we didn't have him out here with us it really would have hurt. To see him come back so strong and now be a Mr. Baseball finalist really is amazing and we are all happy for him."
From posting 90 tackles and five interceptions to spark a nine-win football season this fall to helping Silverdale reach the Division II-AA state tournament for the first time, Junkins' impact goes an extremely long way.
This week Junkins hopes the Seahawks can bring back their first state championship plaque, especially for their four seniors - Cam Mullins, Corey Clift, Sebastian Hanks and Bryson Cline.
"Everyone on this team is capable of picking the other up and that's what makes us so tough," Junkins said. "I remember playing with these seniors when I was in eighth grade and to see where they came from to where they are now is special. We have put in years of hard work and everyone wants to win a state championship to send our seniors out in the best way possible."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.