Trinity Christian seeks upset over Scranton
TAYLOR, Ark.—Trinity Christian and its mix of young and experienced players look to upset Scranton in the opening round of the Class 1A state tournament.
The Warriors and Rockets, who won Region 1, meet at 10 a.m. today at Taylor High School. TC went 1-2 in the regional tournament.
“If there’s a silver lining in the situation, we only have to drive 45 minutes where Scranton has a long haul (to Taylor),” Trinity Christian coach Cory Duke said. “I’m confident that even though we haven’t played well these last couple of games, we can come out and get some things rolling in the early innings and ride that wave. Baseball is a game of momentum. With our best guy on the mound, we can with this game if we get all hands on deck.”
Senior Austin Cree will start on the mound today. Joining Cree on the pitching staff will be fellow right-handers Spencer Leeper, Reid Fellers and Triston Cross. Garret Hines will catch, Cross will start at first base, Blake Water at second, Leeper at third, and Jay Pearcy at shortstop. In the outfield, Jonathan Rankin will be in left, Fellers in center, and Grant Nolen in right.
Trinity Christian didn’t particpate in baseball last season after having a low number of players out for the program, and Duke, who was hired last summer to revive the program set out to reach the state tournament immediately.