PIGEON FORGE — Season-ending losses are always tough to swallow, but especially so when you’re a win away from playing for a spot in the state tournament.
Following an 11-1 loss to the Alcoa Tornadoes in the Region 1-2A baseball tournament consolation game on Saturday, the disappointment could be heard in the somber voice of West Greene coach Adrian Sauceman.
And had it not been for mirrored sunglasses on Sauceman’s face, the heart-wrenching emotion likely would have been seen in his eyes.
“We had a lot of success, had a really good year,” Sauceman said. “We were one game from substate right there, a level we’ve never been. First time we’ve ever won a regional game, first time we’ve won a district championship, tied a school record with 22 wins, and all sorts of school, season and career records we set.
“Just an awesome year. It’s all built on (the players) and what they did. That leadership crew, those three seniors (Maddox Garber, Judson Higgins and Mason McCamey) ... they helped build this thing to what it is.”
Sauceman says it’s now on West Greene’s sophomores, juniors and freshmen to keep the Buffs moving forward.
“Them seeing what was done this year – the way we worked, the attitude we had ... this was the closest team we’ve ever had – just buying into it and building on to it,” he said. “Not having this as the ceiling, but the foundation we build on.”
West Greene was never really in Saturday’s loss as Alcoa, which advances to the Class 2A sectionals, scored four runs in the first inning.
The Buffs, who had just three hits, pushed across their lone run in the bottom of the first. Higgins was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. An out later, he took third on a single to left field by Mason McCamey and then scored when Braden McCamey lined a double to center.
Braden McCamey finished 2-for-3.
Higgins drew the start on the mound and failed to record an out in taking the loss. He didn’t allow a hit, but walked three and wound up being charged with all four of Alcoa’s runs in the first.
West Greene finishes 22-11.
West Greene 7 South Greene 1
West Greene staved off elimination earlier Saturday by ending its county foe’s season.
Braden McCamey drew the start on the mound and pitched five innings for the win. He gave up five hits, a run, walked none and struck out four.
Conner Campbell tossed two innings of perfect relief for the Buffs, striking out two.
South Greene’s Dustin Crum went the distance. In six innings, he gave up six hits, walked two and struck out three. Two of West Greene’s seven runs were earned.
“We knew it was going to be McCamey vs. Crum, a premier matchup,” Sauceman said. “You figured runs were going to be at a premium where you’ve gotta scratch off everything you can get and earn everything you get. We were fortunate to get a couple runs early and that certainly helped. And Braden was lights out.”
Mason McCamey went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI for West Greene. Campbell had a double and an RBI, Garber had a hit and two RBI, and Higgins and Braden McCamey each had a hit.
South Greene had five hits – a triple by Colton Fillers, and singles by Colby Brooks, Seth Franklin, Pablo Rosario and Graydon Rader.
South Greene finishes its season at 16-14.
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