HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Carter Brown puts on power display for Patrick Henry in win over defending state champ Auburn (copy)
Patrick Henry's Trajan Cannon throws a pitch against Auburn on Tuesday evening.
Patrick Henry's Kolby Hicks dives back to first base as Auburn's Brody Hensel attempts for the tag.
Patrick Henry's Aiden Monahan swings for a hit against Auburn on Tuesday evening.
Patrick Henry's Connor Brown dives back to first base as Auburn's Brody Hensel attempts for the tag.
Patrick Henry's Hunter White reaches out to snag the ball in right field against Auburn.
Patrick Henry's Kolby Hicks slides into second base safe as Auburn's Canyon Calhoun waits on the throw.
EMORY, Va. – Patrick Henry senior baseball player Carter Brown suffered a gruesome injury in the eighth grade.
He’s been making up for lost time ever since.
“I was swinging a bat in a summer league game when my cleat got stuck in the turf,” Brown said. “I dislocated my kneecap, and they basically had to reconstruct my knee.”
Following two surgeries and endless hours of rehab, Brown was limited to a total of five games in his first two years on the varsity.
“I played one game as a sophomore,” Brown said. “I hit a home run and then had to have another surgery on the same knee the following Monday.
“That was a tough experience, but I’ve worked hard to get back on the field.”
The revenge tour for Brown is based on destruction.
That was evident on Tuesday when Brown blasted two home runs and the Rebels posted an 11-4 victory over the defending VHSL Class 1 state champion Auburn Eagles.
Brown took advantage of curveballs on both of his homers.
“I had a 1-2 count on the first homer, so I was kind of expecting the curve. He hung the ball and I hit it over the fence,” Brown said.
The six-foot, 205-pound strongman already has four home runs on the season.
“I have close to 10 homers overall in high school,” Brown said. “This is my last year ever playing baseball so why not go all out.”
With seven returning starters, PH is favored to win the rugged Hogoheegee District.
The Rebels (5-1) set the tone in the first inning on Tuesday by scoring three runs off four hits.
“We faced two good pitchers today and I was pleased how we responded,” PH coach Eric Rutherford said.
PH finished with a total of 14 hits and iced the victory with a five-run outburst in the sixth inning.
Leadoff batter Connor Brown fueled the PH offense with three hits, while Hank Rutherford, Kolby Hicks, Aidan Monahan, Carter Brown and Trajan Cannon all delivered two hits.
“We put the ball in play from the top to the bottom of our lineup, including on some two strike and two out situations,” Coach Rutherford said. “We have some pretty gaudy numbers this season.”
The hot start for PH has include convincing victories over Richlands (14-1), Cornerstone Christian Academy (16-4) and Sullivan East by a 19-0 margin. The only setback came in a 12-2 decision at Richlands.
“This was a good bounce back after that loss,” Rutherford said.
Rutherford was not surprised by the power display from Carter Brown.
“Carter is just country strong kid who can hit the ball a long way,” Rutherford said.
A clever left-hander, Cannon pitched into the sixth inning. He allowed eight hits while striking out six and walking none.
Monahan struck out three of the four batters he faced.
Auburn defeated Fort Chiswell last season in Salem in the Class 1 title game. Seven starters graduated from that squad.
“We’re trying to give our young guys as much experience we can,” Auburn coach Eric Altizer said. “It’s a learning experience, and we proved today that we have a lot to learn.”
Shortstop Canyon Calhoun led the Eagles with three hits, while Brody Hensel and Matthew Altizer slammed back-to-back homers in the third inning.
Hensel and Altizer, the only returning starters from last season, entered the day hitting day hitting over .500. Both plan to play baseball at Concord.
“(Patrick Henry) is a talented and well-coached team and we knew this was going to be a tough game,” Coach Altizer said. “We didn’t walk a batter, but PH hit the ball over the place.”
The Eagles (4-2) dropped a 6-5 decision at home to 2024 Class 1 state champ Rappahannock on April 2 in a spring break matchup.
Altizer pointed to PH as playoff contender.
“They will be around, and I hope we can get there to see them,” Altizer said. “I think Region D may be the strongest region in the state right now.”
PH definitely made an early season statement.
“This was a big win against a strong program,” Rutherford said. “I know that Auburn graduated some guys. But our kids can hit it.”
Auburn 003 100 0-4 8 2
Patrick Henry 312 005 X-11 14 2
Altizer, Hensel (4), Board (6) and Roark. Cannon, Monahan (6) and Rutherford. W –Cannon. L – Altizer. HR – Ca. Brown (PH) 2 -- 3rd, one on & 6th, one on; Hensel (A) 3rd none on; Altizer (A) 3rd none on
agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544
