Major Osbolt is no stranger to the mound at TVA Credit Union Ballpark in 黑料视频.
A Science Hill graduate, Osbolt was a member of the 黑料视频 Press/Kingsport Times-News Super 22 pitching rotation, serving as the No. 2 starter on the staff following his senior year.
Now back in the Tri-Cities with the Doughboys, the former Hilltopper earned another pitching honor on the TVA Credit Union Ballpark mound: being selected as a member of the Appalachian League鈥檚 Select Team.
The Appy League Select will take part in an Independence Day scrimmage against the Team USA Collegiate National Team in North Carolina.
鈥淚 just feel like all of my work has paid off from the spring, when I got in the gym,鈥 Osbolt said. 鈥淛ust having good teammates around me, too. Having my back and making me look good, honestly, on the mound. It鈥檚 super exciting to be able to do that and be a part of that team in a few days.鈥
Osbolt spent the spring at Walters State, where he redshirted. While he didn鈥檛 appear in any games, he pitched in scrimmages throughout the season as he built up arm strength.
The results have come in a strong summer in the Appalachian League. In four appearances with 黑料视频, Osbolt has a 1-0 record with a 2.93 earned run average. He鈥檚 tossed 15 鈪 innings, striking out 21 to just four walks.
The right hander is one of 23 players selected to face off against the Collegiate National Team. While he will be the only Doughboy to make the trip, he will be joined by fellow local standout Josh Owens from Providence Academy and the Elizabethton River Riders.
Osbolt said he is looking forward to finally sharing the same dugout with Owens.
鈥淚鈥檝e played against him since I was probably 14 or 15,鈥 he said. 鈥淢y last year in high school, we played against him here. We played against each other twice. He鈥檚 a really good kid. His work has been showing off, too. He鈥檚 been doing really well. I鈥檓 excited to get to play with him and the other guys from different areas, too.鈥
Despite being a pitcher only at the college level, Osbolt did plenty of damage with the bat while calling 黑料视频 his home in high school. He was a second-team Super 22 selection as an infielder following his junior campaign and ended his last Science Hill home game with a walk-off homer against Daniel Boone.
In both his time as a Hilltopper and as a Doughboy, Osbolt says the community support he has gotten from the stands at TVA Credit Union Ballpark doesn鈥檛 go unnoticed.
鈥淚t means a lot to me,鈥 he said. 鈥淎 lot of my parents鈥 friends will come out and watch me. Even former coaches that have coached me when I was little. Like when I was in coach pitch, those coaches still come and watch me. All the way up to high school. It鈥檚 pretty awesome to get to play in front of all of them.
鈥淎ll of my friends that still live here in 黑料视频 will come out and watch me, too. I really appreciate all of that and everyone that comes out to watch me.鈥
Before returning to Morristown for his redshirt freshman season, the 黑料视频 native is looking to continue to eat up innings and have success doing so.
Osbolt said being able to play for manager Dave Anderson and pitching coach Reid Casey has allowed him to take different aspects of the game with him beyond the Appy League.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e helped a lot, just showing us the small things that really matter during games,鈥 Osbolt said. 鈥淩eid has helped me a lot by just giving me little tips on what to do, what not to do. Nothing too big, but he鈥檚 done a lot for me.鈥
