Josh RiderMURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The bottom of the order kept finding a way to get on base, and the top of the order did its job to drive those runners home.
The last three batters in the Boyd-Buchanan lineup coaxed five walks and scored each time in an 11-1, five-inning win over Forrest in the opening round of the Class A baseball state tournament Tuesday at Middle Tennessee Christian School.
"Our guys did a nice job up and down the lineup," Buccaneers coach Josh Rider said. "The bottom third did its job to get on, and the top of the order did what it was supposed to to bring them in to score.
"Winning that first game is essential, really, and I was happy with how we took care of business."
The Bucs (29-9) will play again today against the winner of Tuesday's late game between Jackson Christian and Goodpasture Christian.
Nathan Murrell's first-inning double scored Jim Cardwell for the game's first run, and the Bucs followed with six runs in the second to take any drama from the game.
Murrell finished with three RBIs, while Cardwell, Colby Morgan, Hunter Payne, Seth Rogers and Cade Evans added RBI hits. That was more than enough support for pitcher Brandon Willingham, who allowed just three hits and needed only 80 pitches to earn the win.
"Brandon threw a great game, and now we can bring him back later since he didn't have to throw many pitches," Rider said. "We're in pretty good shape right now."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.