Security Federal Athlete of the Week: March 13-19

Partnering with Security Federal, the Warren County Sports Authority will 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!

Pioneer 3B/P Baler Melton

Plugging a few holes each year is something a high school coach expects. Talent is always walking across the graduation stage, but there are usually players left over to step into the role. The Pioneers were in a unique position this season – they weren’t just replacing a few players, they had to retool an entire roster.

Thankfully, coach Phillip King didn’t need long to stumble on a youngster who was ready for a big-time role. Sophomore Baler Melton has risen to the challenge for the Pioneers, looking like a mainstay both at the plate and in the field (whether it’s the hot corner or the mound).

In a busy first week for the Pioneers, Melton started all five games and helped play a significant part in a pair of victories (along with dazzling in a tough defeat). Melton went 6-for-14 (.429 batting average) as the Pioneers took on LaVergne, Smyrna, Blackman, Dickson County and Father Ryan in the Grand Slam Challenge.

Melton’s best day at the plate came against Smyrna, where he was 3-for-3 in a 10-6 victory over the tough Bulldogs. Melton also had a stolen base in the win, one where he started at third base.

Despite the Pioneers falling 6-5 in devastating fashion to Blackman, Melton may have been ever better against the Blaze. In his first career start at Warren County, Melton threw six solid innings and had his team out front when he handed over the ball in the seventh.

Melton finished with an RBI in weekend losses to Dickson County and Father Ryan.

The rising star recently made his case for being the back-to-back Security Federal Athlete of the Week Tuesday, pitching another gem as the Pioneers snapped a four-game losing streak at Shelbyville. Melton threw a complete game in a 6-2 victory, while also finished with two hits (the best being a bases-clearing 2B in the fifth that put his team up for good).

Melton and the Pioneers will be back in action at home Friday against Cookeville. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. against the Cavaliers.