Attending Chattanooga Lookouts games has been a big part of summers for Gray Glover.
On Friday, on the same AT&T Field as the professional players, Glover helped McCallie remain red hot as the senior first baseman came up big with his bat to lead a 9-0 victory over Rhea County.
"To be out here playing baseball is just awesome," said Glover, who hit an opposite field double down the rightfield line for one of his two hits and also drove in a pair of runs. "I have been coming to games since I was two years old. I am a big fan of baseball at all levels and to get a chance to play here was a great experience."
McCallie improved to 8-0 as coach Tim Costo's team put together a complete performance from the mound, the batter's box and defensively.
William Baker, Nic Mirabella and Brock Rasdale were sharp throwing five combined perfect innings to start the game with five strikeouts, while sophomore shortstop Hudson Calhoun provided elite defense.
Carter Hewitt hit a shot deep to left field for a ground-rule double. Hewitt and Javen Johnson also had two hits each and scored a pair of runs.
Glover picked up right where he left off after helping the Blue Tornado win their last game in dramatic fashion when his two-out RBI double tied things in the bottom of the seventh before Kyle Berry had a walk-off winner.
"There's a lot of talent on this team," said Glover, who has driven in 10 runs this year. "Nic (Mirabella) is a great leader along with Kyle Berry. Carter has been a big hitter for us this year too and is a spark along with Hudson and Javen. We are off to a hot start right now. I just want to make sure we stay encouraged and play as a team. Not as individuals."
Glover added that the experience to play on the Double-A diamond of the Lookouts was unique because of the stars such as Yasiel Puig and Clayton Kershaw he has watched play there over the years.
Rhea County's Connor Thompson, Kole Smith and Keaton Ray all had singles. Ray, a left-handed slugger, is signed to play college ball for Virginia Tech.
"Being out here today was good for everybody I think," Glover said. "Baseball takes your mind off everything else going on in the world. To have the chance to play out here for the first time is something I won't forget."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.