The Silverdale Baptist baseball team could not ask much more of its senior battery combination of Turner Junkins and Ian Reagan.
With the numbers they have put up this season it would be hard to argue that Junkins and Reagan aren't the best pitcher and catcher in town.
Seahawks players celebrated at the outfield wall Monday night with roughly 80 of their "Left Field Lounge" fans after sweeping Boyd Buchanan in a double-header by the scores of 9-0 and 13-3. Silverdale (24-3, 8-0 Division II-A East District 2) has now won 23 games in a row and concluded a perfect regular season in league play.
Junkins fired a complete game shutout in game one, striking out 11 while allowing two hits and a pair of walks. The Middle Tennessee State signee has not allowed an earned run all season in 31 innings, all with Reagan calling pitches behind the plate.
Reagan walked four times and also hit a moon shot over the light tower in left-centerfield for his seventh home run and 38th RBI of the season. The University of Alabama at Huntsville signee has also thrown out seven runners trying to steal compared to allowing just four stolen bases this season.
"This season has been unbelievable for us," Reagan said. "This means the world to be playing with these guys. I have known Turner, Brody (Lamb), Brett (Rogers) and Eric (Boggess) for a long time. Coach (Lance) Rorex is doing an amazing job. He understands that we are talented, but he is the guide rail. I love this team so much and wouldn't trade this time for anything in the world."
Senior Brett Rogers hit his fourth home run in a three-game stretch in the first game Monday and showed his appreciation for Silverdale's avid fan base behind the left field fence by flashing the love hand sign as he rounded second base on his three-run shot to centerfield.
Junkins channelled his best Shohei Ohtani, as he did it all on the mound and at the plate. In game two, he went 4-for-4 with three doubles and scored three runs from the leadoff spot.
To show how dangerous the Seahawks lineup is, their nine-hole hitter, senior Cam Bowen, went 4-for-4 with three runs batted in to help lead a 17-hit finale.
"What helps our guys so much is you can't throw around anyone in our lineup," Rorex said. "You can't pitch around Brett because Ian is behind him and behind Ian is Brody and so forth. The guys are doing a great job protecting each other in the lineup so they can all get hits they can drive."
With 14 seniors and a veteran battery leading the way, the potential of the 2023 Seahawks seems limitless.
"Ian is the quarterback of our team. He directs us and might be more mature than I am," Rorex said about his catcher. "He does an unbelievable job back there. What he does defensively is so special. He has been hitting a lot at the plate too and that is just a bonus."
Boyd Buchanan junior Cooper Jones went 2-for-3 in game two with a home run, as the Buccaneers fell to 15-5 overall and 6-2 to close district play.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.