Security Federal Athlete of the Week

Partnering with Security Federal, the Warren County Sports Authority will begin to honor a standout local athlete each week. The WCSA and the Friendliest Bank in Town love seeing great athletic achievement and there are plenty to pick from every week in Warren County. From winter to summer, spring to fall, and on courts, fields, diamonds, dance floors and anywhere else an athlete can succeed, Security Federal and the Sports Authority are going to be on the lookout for the best of the best!

Jace Brantley, WCHS BASEBALL

Week of April 25 - May 1

When a Warren County team clinches a district title, it stands to reason that one of the players is going to be athlete of the week. Picking who is the honoree isn't easy though. The Pioneers have been the definition of a team - with the group rising above the sum of its parts.

If there was one person who stood out a little more last week, it would be Brantley, the team's rock at third base, big hitter and occasional shutdown closer. All of his talents were on display during last week's 2-1-1 week, which included a sweep of White County to clinch the District 6AAA regular season title.

Brantley found himself shutting down what was a tight contest last Monday at home. The Pioneers turned to their flamethrower in the seventh to protect a 7-5 lead against Sparta and he did just that. Brantley struck out two, including getting the final out by K. He also pitched a scoreless inning in Friday's loss to Coffee County, striking out two more.

In his last six outings, Brantley has pitched 6.1 innings, hasn't allowed a hit or run while striking out 13.

He also had the biggest hit in Tuesday's 13-0 blowout of Sparta to clinch the title. Brantley rocked a two-run homer, one of his three hits in a 16-hit performance for the Pioneers. He finished the game with four RBIs.

Brantley also had a pair of doubles in Thursday's 4-4 tie with DeKalb County. For the season, the senior is now hitting .349 with a team-high 14 extra-base hits (including two homers).

Brantley will be one of 14 seniors honored Tuesday night before a home game against Upperman. Warren County will also play Huntland at home Wednesday and gets its district tournament run started Friday, May 7.