JOHNSON CITY — The tallest player on the field stood out on the mound for Dobyns-Bennett.
Connor Godsey, a 6-foot-7 senior, worked six shutout innings and Kasey Carter collected three hits as the Indians defeated Science Hill, 3-0, to claim the Region 1-4A championship against the Hilltoppers on Saturday afternoon at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
“It is awesome, it has been a couple of years since we have been here,†said Godsey, whose Indians won their first region crown since 2017.
Dobyns-Bennett (30-8), which had lost its four previous meetings with the Hilltoppers by a combined score of 32-13, will host the Class 4A sectionals late next week against District 2 runner-up Farragut.
“It means a lot,†Dobyns-Bennett head coach Ryan Wagner said. “It is tough for them because when the state kind of shrinks the leagues and you have to play each other a lot it makes it tough to beat pretty good teams over and over.â€
Science Hill defeated Jefferson County 5-0 to determine the second region berth after the Patriots defeated Morristown West, 4-0. in Saturday’s second game. The Hilltoppers will visit District 2 champion Oak Ridge in the sectionals next week.
Godsey was far from overpowering, but used his sinker to force 11 fly ball or infield pop-outs, while allowing just three hits and one walk. He didn’t strike out a batter, but got error-free and sometimes spectacular defense from his teammates, including a diving catch from left fielder Graham Jones to prevent a run from scoring in the sixth.
“Just go out there and compete. It doesn’t matter how hard you throw, it doesn’t matter anything. If you go out there and compete, you can do it,†Godsey said. “It helps a lot to have a good off-speed if you don’t throw hard. I trust my guys behind me.â€
Godsey was replaced by the harder-throwing Andrew Reilly in the seventh, and just like in the Indians’ 4-1 win over Morristown West on Friday night, the senior picked up the save, getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the process.
“Hats off to our kids today. Connor Godsey went out and gave us an outstanding effort. We got some big hits from our guys and made some plays in the field when we needed to,†Wagner said. “I am proud of our coaches and our players and all of our school, a great win.â€
Dobyns-Bennett got on the board in the fourth when Jones tripled off starter Hagan Gibson to the right field wall and scored on an errant throw to third. Carter, another senior, started the fifth with his second single of the game, moved up on a balk and scored on a single by Maddox Martin, who had two hits in the game and played well second base.
“It felt good,†Carter said. “A big game, I have been getting good hits in the game and that just helps out the team, gets some momentum up.â€
Carter came through again in the seventh, doubling home Gabe Edwards, who pinch-ran for Charlie Schuman after he singled to lead off the frame against Science Hill reliever Cole ReSue.
“I just knew we had to get some more runs. Science Hill is a good hitting team so we just needed to get the run in,†Carter said.
“Graham got us going there early and made some great plays in the outfield and Kasey had a great day at the plate for us,†Wagner said. “Maddox has been good for us all year on defense and had a big hit or two for us too. I can’t name one person, it has been throughout our lineup all year and our team.â€
Science Hill, which collected five hits, including a double by Haydon Smelser, got runners as far as second twice before the seventh when the Hilltoppers loaded the bases on singles by Sam Lane and Lucas Dye and a walk, but Reilly retired Caden Wells on a line drive to center field to end the game.
“Godsey pitched a really good game. He executed pitches when he had to, their hitters executed when they had to,†Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards said. “We started executing in the seventh inning but it was too little and too late.â€
Not only was 2017 the last time the Indians won the region title, it was also the last time they reached the state tournament.
“It has not been a struggle. We have done fine, it is just hard to beat Daniel Boone and Science Hill and these teams in the IMAC,†Wagner said. “A good day for us, man, that is all I can say. I am proud of our guys.â€
Meanwhile, Science Hill faced a win or else scenario in the nightcap, facing the Patriots, whom the Hilltoppers defeated, 2-0, on Friday.
“Our kids have been a solid team that respects the game and respects each other, has a love for each other and we are going just going to band together and come together and get ready for this 5:30 game,†Edwards said.
