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BY JESSE SMITHEY
MURFREESBORO — The 2024 Spring Fling seems to be throwing obstacles at the Greeneville High School baseball team, and the Greene Devils keep knocking them out of the park.
On Tuesday, the defending Class 3A champion Greene Devils had its game delayed by a few hours and ultimately moved to different site because of light malfunctions. Greeneville won that matchup late Tuesday night, 4-1, thanks to a two-hitter tossed by Carson Quillen.
Some 14-15 hours later, the Greene Devils were back on the field, battling in extra innings against South Gibson.
Oh, and South Gibson had the bases loaded in the top of the eighth — with no outs — in a 1-1 contest.
Greeneville (26-12) still managed to leave the field at Smyrna High School with a 2-1 victory.
The Greene Devils must be beaten twice Thursday to not reach Friday’s Class 3A state championship round.
“I think this team has been through lots of adversity this year. Maybe that adversity was finding our identity and I really feel like this team found our identity later this season,” Quillen told 5Star Preps on Wednesday.
“But, overall, this is what we prepare for and we have guys that know what they need to do in situations and that’s where we thrive. You can hear our guys say ‘Do a job’ throughout the game, doing what we need to do for our team.”
Greeneville sophomore Will Harmon did his job for Greeneville on Tuesday, throwing seven innings, striking out nine and walking two. He scattered six hits, and he and the Greeneville defense caused South Gibson (31-11) to strand 10 runners Wednesday.
Tied at 1-all in the bottom of the sixth, Greeneville put its first two batters on base with no outs, but South Gibson escaped the jam.
But perhaps the escape of the entire state tournament came in the top of the eighth. South Gibson quickly loaded the bases with a single, a hit batsman and a walk.
Greeneville then brought in sophomore Sam Thompson to replace Carson Norris.
South Gibson popped out. Then it grounded into a fielder’s choice, with Greeneville first baseman Eli House firing down to catcher Noah Murray for the force out.
Two away.
And Greeneville shut the door on South Gibson’s threat when Thompson got Jack Bradberry to fly out to center.
Colton Richards played hero in the eighth for Greeneville, as his double scored Maddox Bishop for the 2-1 final.
Greeneville will play at 2 p.m. Thursday against either South Gibson or Station Camp.
And if a little adversity happens to come Greeneville’s way, don’t be surprised if the Greene Devils handle it.
“This season definitely was different because, after you win a state championship, everyone knows and they want to beat you. Beating state champions gives teams a boost, and every time we played this year the other team wanted to beat us even more,” Quillen said. “We got their best games, and that has prepared us for these big games down the stretch.
“And being on the winners bracket is huge. Having that extra game (Thursday) can relax our team so we play our best baseball. But we cannot let off the gas. We know what it’s like losing a Thursday game, so we know what we have to do to get the the title game.”