eagles dodge tornadoes in game-one

With their backs to the wall, the Seymour Eagles responded like champions Monday evening with a crucial 7-4 District 3-AA road win at Alcoa.

The Eagles (19-4 overall, 8-1 district) were in a must-win situation against the Tornadoes Monday and find themselves in a similar predicament Tuesday at home in the second half of the home-and-away series with the dangerous Tornadoes. The Eagles must win both games against Alcoa to force a tie-breaker scenario with Gibbs for the regular season district championship.

If Seymour defeats the Tornadoes Tuesday, the Eagles are promised at least a share of the regular season district championship. Seymour has won or shared the regular season conference championship for the last eight seasons.

Seymour and Gibbs split their home-and-away series last week. Gibbs (16-8, 9-1) does not have a regular season conference game left on its schedule. Should Seymour drop Tuesday’s game against Alcoa, Gibbs would win the regular season crown.

The Eagles took care of business Monday with sophomore Brandon Timmerman getting the starting nod on the pitcher’s mound and again delivering a performance beyond his years.

Timmerman was also the winning pitcher in last week’s home win over Gibbs.

Timmerman got some help from his sophomore teammate, Keegan Newport, against the Tornadoes. Newport smashed a game-tying home run in the second-inning to erase and early Alcoa 1-0 lead.

Senior outfielder Drew Fox came through in the clutch in the third inning with a two-out double and standout senior catcher Wes Walker brought him home with an RBI hit to the outfield, putting Timmerman and the Eagles on top 2-1.

Seymour scored another run in the top of the third to go up 3-1 but the Tornadoes responded in a big way with three runs off Timmerman in the home-half of the inning to go back on top 4-3.

The Eagles kept their championship hopes alive with a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to push ahead 7-4.

Fox led off the fifth with a single, Walker was hit by a pitch and Andrew Escolonia hit into a fielding error to load the bases with Eagles. Newport then plated a run when he hit into another Alcoa error and sophomore Mark Funderburke put Seymour back on top with a two-out RBI.

In the sixth inning, Walker reached on a two-out single, Escalonia hit a single and the red-hot Andy Whisler connected on a two-run hit to give the Eagles their winning margin.

Funderburke finished the night 3-for-4 from the plate, Walker was 2-for-2 with a double, Fox was 2-for-4 with a double, and Newport was 2-for-4 with the solo home run.

Seymour senior Todd Ogle came on if relief of Timmerman in the sixth inning to collect the save.

Eagles fundraising golf tourney set for Wednesday

Seymour baseball will host its fourth annual baseball fundraising golf tournament Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the NASCAR Speedpark.

SHS players will be teamed with parents and sponsors in the always-competitive mini-golf tournament with all proceeds going toward continued improvements at picturesque Don Doyle Field.

“We still need financial support from area businesses and community leaders to continue facility improvements on what is fast becoming the finest high school baseball facility in the area,” said SHS head coach Scott Norman. “Area businesses and team parents have really supported our program and worked long hours to help make improvements.”

For pledge forms, questions or to make contributions contact Sue-Anne Fouse at 573-3218.