Nick Kurtz continues to be a driving force for Baylor's baseball program.
The left-handed slugger hit a line-drive shot over the right field fence to spark a four-run fifth inning in Monday's 10-0 home rout of McCallie.
"Nick is such a huge part of this team," Baylor coach Greg Elie said of the Wake Forest signee. "He is one of those heart and soul kind of guys. He's quiet, but he knows how to lead by example and the rest of the guys take after him.
"Man, that ball was one of the hardest hit baseballs I've ever seen in high school. The ball was about eight feet off the ground the whole way. That kid is special. He is going to do big things one day. We are really proud of him."
With major league scouts all over the ballpark, the Red Raiders (18-3) enjoyed their senior night to the fullest with a convincing win over their biggest rival.
Danny Corona did plenty of damage at the plate as he drove in four runs and put great swings on the ball for doubles down the right field line and to the left-center field fence. The fellow Wake Forest signee had three hits to lead the top of the lineup along with Henry Godbout, who came up a homer shy of hitting for the cycle.
"We want to be remembered as one of the best teams to ever play at Baylor," Corona said. "We all came here with respect of those who came before us and we have been set on being the best team in the state every year. Tonight was special. My family drove down from New York to watch me. They've done everything for me to help me succeed."
Jay Dill followed up a six-inning no hitter with a nine strikeout performance in which he was clocked at 93 miles per hour and had his slider working as well. McCallie (18-4) started the game with a leadoff triple by senior Kyle Berry, but Dill worked around the trouble and tossed six innings of two-hit shutout ball.
Vito Valincius hit his seventh home run of the season over the center field wall to end the game, while he and Kurtz brought the team's home run total to 33 in 21 games.
"After missing last year to COVID and then getting hurt this past summer, it's special to just be out here," Kurtz said. "I am so thankful to be out here with these guys. To come up big in this rivalry is always going to be something really special for us and our school."
BASEBALL
South Pittsburg 23, Lookout Valley 2: The Pirates scored 10 runs in the first inning, then added 11 more over the next two innings combined. Senior Ryan Cagle had a grand slam, double and seven RBIs and Javen Talley also had three hits and two RBIs as the Pirates collected 16 total hits.
Walker Valley 2, Soddy-Daisy 0: Ben Smith threw a three-hit shutout in which he struck out 10. Lane Miller, Logan Wallace and Geo Angeles all had two hits in the victory.
Signal Mountain 6, Central 3: Carter Giles came up big with three hits and a trio of RBIs in the Eagle's win. Preston Worley recorded a save over 1 2/3 sharp innings.
Boyd Buchanan 4, Grace Academy 3: Freshman Bodie Johnston had two hits and drove in a run for the Bucs.
Boyd Buchanan 9, Grace Academy 0: Three pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts while Perry Griffin and Grant Carlton had two hits and a pair of RBIs each in the victory.
Sequatchie County 8, Bledsoe County 1: Logan Potts went 3-for-3 and scored three runs while Barron Cribbs had two hits and a pair of RBIs. Bodie Terry was sharp over 6 2/3 innings in the win.
Silverdale Baptitst 7, Arts & Sciences 0: Sebastian Hanks and Cameron Mullins each had two hits and drove in two runs while four pitchers combined for the shutout.
SOFTBALL
East Hamilton 2, Walker Valley 1: Syerra Rogers struck out 15 and allowed just three hits for the Lady Hurricanes.
Boyd Buchanan 10, Central 0: Kiley Elliott was 2-for-3 with a double and four runs scored and allowed just two hits to earn the win. The Lady Bucs (8-4) scored three runs in the first, third and fourth innings to take command early.
Sequatchie County 7, South Pittsburg 0: Ella Edgmon went 2-for-4 with a home run, double and two RBIs, while Addy Edgmon was 3-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and three stolen bases. Megan Hall added a triple and two RBIs and Cali Green struck out six to earn the win.
Marion County 9, Whitwell 0: The Lady Warriors scored three runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to pull away. Milan Pemberton went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while Emma Crisp was 3-for-4 and Grace Slatton earned the pitching win.
Red Bank 6, Sale Creek 2: Bailey Phillips struck out 14 batters while Lexie Wright homered and doubled and drove in two runs for the Lady Lions.
Silverdale Baptist 16, Grace Academy 0: Bree Sexton homered twice while McCade Cooper picked up the win with three no-hit innings.