MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- There were five lead changes in the first three innings, but McCallie got the fifth and made it stand up Tuesday, advancing to the Spring Fling Division II-AA baseball semifinals with a 4-2 victory over Briarcrest Christian.
McCallie will play the winner between Pope John Paul II and Christian Brothers at 1:30 today, again at Wilson Central.
"All the little things we needed happened," Blue Tornado coach Greg Payne said. "Carson McKoon was a big key. He threw it really, really well. He struck out one in the top of the seventh, then they got a couple of runners on and Corbin (Brooksbank) came on to finish it off.
McKoon, who struck out 12, allowed both runs.
"His curveball and slider were both working good. I was really proud of him," Payne said.
Brooksbank went 3-for-3 for McCallie, and an RBI double by Drew Vaughn and a groundout RBI by Ethan Cady provided the final two runs.
Matthew Brock tied the game in the first on a sacrifice fly after Briarcrest's Ben Ellis hit a solo home run. Ellis finished 3-for-3.
"In my mind, you have to win that first one," Payne said.
McCallie is seeking to win its second straight state title.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.
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Concert for "Safe Places"
a concert to benefit "Safe Places" was held at the Governor's Mansion Grand Hall Tuesday night.