BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Vikings were searching for a starter Thursday night.
Instead, they found themselves a finisher.
Sophomore Heath Vance made his first varsity start a memorable one, throwing a complete game to lead Tennessee High to a 4-1 win over Sullivan East at Tod Houston Field.
“He goes out there, throws a great game, gets ahead all night, pitches with a purpose,” said Tennessee High coach Gill Payne. “He was making every pitch.”
Vance, who held the Patriots to a mere five hits while striking out five, said he couldn’t have imagined a better way to get his high school career on the mound off the ground.
“I’ve never been in a situation like this before,” he said.
“I’m telling you man, I’ve got chill bumps.”
Senior first baseman Dylan Crockett helped his young pitcher settle in with a two-run first-inning blast that split the trees beyond the outfield wall in
straightaway center.
After jumping out to a 3-0 lead after one, the Viking offense went hitless until designated hitter Chase Cunningham drove in an insurance run in the bottom of
the sixth after Austin Snyder reached on a throwing error.
Vance, though, was unfazed by the lack of offensive support through the middle innings, allowing only a single hit and two walks in a stretch of 15 batters after
back-to-back East hitters smacked a solo home run and a double in the second.
Vance said Tennessee High’s first-inning fireworks were enough to settle him down.
“It definitely boosted my confidence when I knew those guys could hit,” Vance said. “I really thought to myself all I need to do is go out and throw strikes.”
East (1-1) made solid contact throughout the game, but the Viking defense was – in Vance’s summation – “phenomenal,” committing no errors for the third straight game to open the season.
“We’ve got a great defense playing behind him,” said Payne, whose team is off to a 3-0 start. “Three games without an error in high school – that says a lot.”
East coach Mike Breuninger said he was pleased with the way his players hung with Tennessee High after digging themselves an early hole.
“We put the bat on the ball for the most part and they made the plays,” he said.
East senior starter Hunter Smith allowed only one hit after his struggles in the first inning and lasted into the sixth, striking out five.
The night, though, belonged to the Tennessee High newcomer who ended the game where he started it.
“That,” Vance said, “felt great.”
nhubbard@bristolnews.com (276) 645-2543
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