John Battle baseball coach Larry Cannon describes Jerry Jones as a "dirtball player" who does whatever it takes to win.
Friday’s drama offered an example of that.
The three-year starter delivered the game-winning hit with two outs in the seventh inning as the Trojans stopped Washington County rival Abingdon by a 4-3 margin.
"That was typical J.J.," Cannon said. "Jerry is the type of kid you love to coach because he’s always sticking his nose right in there."
Battle opened the season Monday with a 9-2 decision at Abingdon, so Friday’s victory completed a rare sweep of the tradition-rich Falcons.
"This is a fun team to be around," Cannon said. "Our kids hustle, stuck behind each other and never stop battling."
Abingdon maintained a 3-2 lead through five innings as junior left-hander Nathan Hagy allowed just two hits while striking out six. After Hagy was relieved in the sixth, powerful No. 4 hitter Cody Calloway tied the game with a home run.
"Nathan was a little wild early, then he settled down and did a nice job," AHS coach Mark Francisco said. "I think Nathan’s back just got a little tight in this cold weather after throwing a lot of pitches."
The Falcons collected eight hits off three Battle pitches, as speedy Preston Pionk reached on two singles and Brandon Catron delivered a run-scoring single.
Justin Hutton, who relies on a deceptive sidearm motion, was effective for Battle in relief. He struck out four over the final four innings, setting the stage for Jones. With one out in the seventh, Michael Johnson doubled for Battle and Jones followed two batters later with his line drive.
"I got lucky with an outside pitch and took the ball to the left-centerfield gap," said Jones, who hit close to .400 last season. "I’m a contact hitter, so I just wanted to make contact. If that wasn’t my biggest hit, it was close to it."
Jones and many of his Battle teammates bonded in the off-season by competing in several tournaments at the sprawling baseball complex in Jefferson City, Tenn.
"We all came together and worked on our games against bigger schools from Tennessee," Jones said. "Experience pays off. We’re all stoked about these two wins."
Jones, a catcher, displayed his strong arm in the first inning by picking a runner off first base.
The AHS coach paid credit to Battle’s hero.
"We were trying to make a pitch, and [Jones] just hit it where we weren’t," Francisco said. "Battle took it to us pretty good Monday, but we gave a better effort in this game. "It was a well-played game ... Battle just made the plays when they needed it."
Calloway contributed a run-scoring infield single in the first inning for Battle, while centerfielder Josh Osborne made several running catches.
The Trojans host 2007 Group A runnerup Grayson County Monday.
Abingdon 102 000 0—3 8 0
John Battle 110 001 1—4 4 0
Hagy, Catron (6) and Payne. Denton, Jr., Arnold (3), Hutton (4) and Jones. W—Hutton (1-0). L—Catron (0-1). HR—Calloway (JB) 6th, none on.
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