Twin Springs battles, but falls short to Honaker in Region 1D

NICKELSVILLE — Every coach wants his team playing its best baseball when it counts most. Twin Springs head coach Jared Finch felt that happened for Twin Springs, which saw its season come to an end on Wednesday with a 5-1 Region 1D play-in game loss to Honaker at Keith Memorial Park. "We had a setback there about three weeks ago and I told them we could mail it in or come together," Finch said. "We came together and really battled here toward the end and were playing our best baseball at the right time so I am proud of those guys for that." Connor Musick allowed two hits and struck out 13 and the Tigers collected six hits and took advantage of four Twin Springs errors to earn a trip on Friday to face Grundy (4-7) in a Region 1D quarterfinal contest. "We have made that trip several times," said Honaker head coach Derrick Murphy, whose Tigers (16-9) used to play in the Black Diamond District with Grundy, which is in its final season of existence. "One more trip, why not go there and see if we can try to get one more win and move on." Twin Springs (11-14), which defeated Rye Cove in the Cumberland District third place game to earn a regional berth, took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a leadoff single by Xavier Sawyer, who moved to second on an error and scored on a throwing error. "Twin Springs came in ready to play and I knew they would all week. We tried to prepare for a dogfight, a seven inning ball game," Murphy said. "They did a good job, they jumped out on us. I thought we responded against being down with a little adversity and we have kind of done that all year long and that has been a big thing for us." That was the last base runner the Titans would have until a fifth inning single by Colton Johnson. "I was pretty locked in. I was trying to get used to that mound with the first batter. It was a little slick and I kicked the dirt out of the way," Musick said. "That is the best my arm has felt since the first of the season. I had my best stuff, had all my pitches working. "I wasn't really concerned, I knew what our bats are capable of and what our defense is capable of. I just knew these guys, I trusted them and I trusted my stuff." "He gave up a single to start the game," added Murphy. "He settled in after that and really, really threw the ball well today. He was tough today." So was Sawyer, a southpaw, who scattered six hits, with only two of Honaker's five runs were earned, with two errors leading to a pair of runs in the third to put the Tigers up 2-1. "They battled. I told them at the end, I am just proud of how they battled," Finch said. "Obviously we didn't make as many plays as we needed there or get a timely hit, but I am proud of the way they battled against a good team. Their kid threw great, Xav threw great. Just came up short." After baserunning miscues cost Honaker runs in the fourth, the Tigers got a lift in the top of the fifth with a solo home run by ninth place batter Christian Ball. Honaker added another run on a hit-batsman and a walk, and added a seventh inning run on a double by Jake Rasnake and ground ball out by Musick. "First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I wouldn't be able to do anything without Him," Ball said. "I was just trying to keep a very simple approach and I got one...They are a good little scrappy team. I expected a good game and they played well." Twin Springs threatened again in the seventh, drawing a pair of walks against Musick before he was replaced by freshman Kole Reynolds. After walking a batter to load the bases, Reynolds induced a double play ball to end the game. "We have struggled scoring runs all year. I knew if we could score Xav a couple of runs we might have a chance and then they got to 5-1 there," Finch said. "Once again we had bases loaded and one out and tying run at the plate and they battled. That is all you can ask for." Twin Springs will lose seven seniors to graduation, but Finch likes what the future looks like for the Titans. "I am just proud of those guys," Finch said. "The first time we have been in the region tournament in a while. We have got a good young group coming back so I am excited."