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Top 10 of 2021: No. 6 - Pioneers win district baseball title
Welcome to the Warren County Sports Authority Top 10 of 2021. Each day until Dec. 31, we will be releasing a new story counting down the top 10 sports stories in Warren County this year. Be sure to check back everyday to see the biggest headlines from this year!
No. 6 - Pioneer Baseball wins District 6AAA title
The jubilation was too much to hold back. The Pioneers had battled all year, peaking at the perfect time and knowing it just needed one more win for a district title.
Playing on the road at White County, John Garrett and Jace Brantley made sure it happened. Garrett baffled Sparta with a two-hit shutout, while Brantley headlined an explosive offense with a two-run homer as the Pioneers clinched the District 6AAA regular season title with a 13-0 thumping of the Warriors.
As soon as the final out was recorded, Warren County didn’t waste time starting the celebration. The Pioneers had a dog pile at the plate, releasing all the emotion the team had built up throughout the spring while chasing trophies.
Brent Carden captured the celebration after the Pioneers clinched the district regular season title in Sparta.
The victory over Sparta on the road was the high point of a season that saw so much success for Warren County baseball. It was the 11th victory in 12 games at the time for the district champs, who started their turnaround by winning the New Balance Chattanooga Classic.
At one point, the Pioneers won nine in a row during the 2021 season. The last victory proved to be a major milestone for coach Phillip King. The longtime skipper got his 300th career victory at his alma mater, watching his team take down Gallatin 10-0 at Patrick Ramsey Field.
With great team success throughout the year, it was no surprise the Pioneers had plenty of individual accolades waiting on them at the end of the year. Junior Layne Roberts received one of the biggest honors, claiming the District 6AAA Pitcher of the Year Award.
Westen Wilson, Braden Bottoms, Kason Holder, Ryland Holder, Alec Hobbs, Garrett and Brantley were recognized on the All-District 6AAA team. King was named the District 6AAA coach of the year.
The group finished the season with 22 victories, including 20 in the regular season - just the second time in two decades Warren County was able to reach the 20-win plateau before the postseason.
It won’t be long before the Pioneers will be back on the diamond, hoping to defend their district title.
Make sure to check back Monday, Dec. 27 to see the No. 5 story on the WCSA Top 10 Sports List of 2021
No. 7 – COVID shuts down Pioneer football, causing the first game cancellations in school history: https://www.wcsportsauthority.com/post/top-10-of-2021-no-7-covid-shutdowns-slow-pioneer-football.
No. 8 – Covenant’s year of championships: https://www.wcsportsauthority.com/post/top-10-of-2021-no-8-covenant-wins-multiple-tncaa-titles
No. 9 – Boyd’s special year: https://www.wcsportsauthority.com/post/top-10-of-2021-no-9-boyd-s-special-year
No. 10 – WC Sports Hall of Fame adds 13 members:
Season stats:
Team-high 48.1 innings pitched. 5-2 record. 1.88 ERA, 32 K
Three shutouts, all in District 6AAA games.
Season stats:
.305 batting average, 15 RBIs, 24 runs scored, 9 stolen bases
16.2 inning pitched, 2-0 record.
Season stats:
.380 batting average (team-best), HR, 19 RBIs, team-high 41 hits
Season stats:
.277 batting average, 2 HRs, 21 RBIs, team-high 28 runs scored
Season stats:
.333 batting average, 27 RBIs, 24 runs scored, team-high 13 stolen bases
Season stats:
.337 batting average, led team in home runs (4) and RBIs (32), 27 runs, 10 stolen bases
10.1 innings pitched, one win, two saves, 4.06 ERA, 16 Ks
Season stats:
.318 batting average, 28 hits, 12 RBIs, 24 runs, 7 stolen bases
Season stats:
44.0 innings pitched, 5-1 record, 0.96 ERA, 27 K
Won 300th game of his career during the season (Gallatin, April 23). Led the Pioneers to an outright regular season district title and second 20-win regular season in last 20 years.