Sullivan East Loses Heartbreaker in District 1-AAA Tournament

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. – David Crockett senior Justin Schmuhl created a lifetime memory Monday night. Meanwhile, the Sullivan East Patriots came away with a lasting nightmare.

With his team trailing by one run in the final inning, Schmuhl blasted a game-winning three-run home run to lift the sixth-seeded David Crockett Pioneers to an 8-6 win over the No. 7 Patriots in the semifinals of the District 1-AAA baseball tournament at Sullivan Central High School.

The fans were on their feet when Schmuhl launched the ball far over the fence with one out.

“It was a fastball belt-high,” Schmuhl said. “I knew it was gone as soon as I made contact. That’s the biggest I’ve had – ever.”

East (14-15) collected nine hits and built a 6-1 lead in the third inning.

Crockett rallied behind a balanced lineup and the pitching of ace left-hander Clint Freeman, who struck out eight after entering the game in the third inning.

“It was a good game, we just didn’t score enough runs in the end,” Sullivan East coach Mike Breuninger said. “We played well early, then Freeman did a good job shutting us down.”

Kevin Love, Tyler Gaby and Ryan Harrington each collected two hits for East.

“We had confidence in Justin,” Crockett coach Sonny Hagy said. “This couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

Top-seeded Science Hill stopped Sullivan South, 13-3, in five innings in Monday’s early game. South faces Sullivan East tonight at 5:30.

David Crockett 8, Sullivan East 6

Sullivan East 312 000 0-6 9 1
David Crockett 101 030 3-8 11 2
Smith, Harrington (5) and Gilreath.  Street, Freeman (3) and Deloach. W-Freeman. L-Harrington. HR-Freeman (DC) 5th one on; Schmuhl (DC) 7TH, two on. 

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