Chilhowie downs Tigers
Chilhowie's Jayden Schwartz leaps up to catch the ball before throwing to first base for an out against Patrick Henry.
Chilhowie's Brent Kilbourne catches a fly ball at Patrick Henry on Friday evening.
Rural Retreat catcher Hunter Rollyson reaches for the out on Chilhowie runner Noah Nash during the Region 1D championship at Abingdon High School.
It’s been a painful time for Chilhowie baseball player Noah Nash, but the senior experienced some joy Friday night.
The story began last week when Nash suffered a ruptured eardrum in a freak injury.
“I had just finished my job at Smyth County Barbell when I accidentally jammed a Q-tip into my right ear,” Nash said. “The Q-tip got stuck and I had to twist it out. There was blood all over and I felt a pretty good amount of pain.”
Nash waited until the end of school on the following day to see a doctor.
“I wanted to see if I could stick through it, but my ear kept bleeding,” Nash sad.
Along with a developing a case of pneumonia, Nash has dealt with lingering headaches and does next expect to regain full hearing for nearly eight weeks.
With a ball of cotton in his right ear on Friday, Nash guided the Chilhowie Warriors to a 4-3 victory over the Honaker Tigers in a Hogohegee District thriller that went nine innings.
Honaker recorded a 2-0 win at Honaker on April 28 as freshman Tyler Gonzalez crafted a three-hitter with six strikeouts.
Friday’s Senior Night rematch began in emotional fashion with each father of the eight Chilhowie seniors throwing a ceremonial pitch from the mound.
Nash emerged as the hero moments later.
With assistance from a sure-handed defense, the 5-foot-8 right-hander allowed just two hits over six innings while striking out nine with a deceptive slider.
“That’s my favorite pitch,” Nash said. “I can throw it for a strike or make batters chase.”
Honaker was held hitless until the sixth inning when leadoff batter Jake Rasnake delivered a line single after Christian Ball reached on an error.
Six-foot-three sophomore Caden Altizer then gave Honaker a 2-0 lead with a two-run single.
The Warriors (15-6, 8-2) answered in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run rally that featured a run-scoring single from single Asher Chapman and a two-run double from senior Brycen Sturgill. Facing a two-strike count, Sturgill powered the ball down the first base line.
Chilhowie’s senior night party was delayed in the top of the seventh when Honaker tied the game on an infield error and three walks.
That set the stage for Chilhowie junior Jayden Schwartz.
Following a leadoff walk to junior Brent Kilbourne, the 5-10 Schwartz launched a fly ball that sailed over the head of the right fielder. To the delight of Warrior fans, Kilbourne raced around the bases for the winning run.
“I was having a rough day at the plate with a lot of curve balls, but I finally got an outside fastball and took it to the opposite field,” Schwartz said.
“I scored the winning run against Fort Chiswell in my freshman year in the playoffs, but this game will rank number two in my memories.”
Gonalez replaced Nash in the sixth inning. Displaying uncanny poise, he registered six strikeouts without allowing a hit.
Senior Landon Bowman and Sturgill collected two hits apiece for Chilhowie.
“That was a battle between two evenly matched teams and I’m proud we pulled out the win for our seniors. They have given a lot to this program,” Chilhowie coach Jeff Robinson said.
Chilhowie’s senior cast has won a total of 75 games.
According to Robinson, the performance by Nash was courageous on several fronts.
“During batting practice on Thursday, Noah got hit right in the thigh with a fastball and it left a huge bruise,” Robinson said. “Noah really gutted it out today.”
Nash threw a total of 100 pitches
“That was the longest I’ve pitched in a game all season and I was beginning to get tired,” Nash said. “It was a very emotional night. The adrenaline helped me get through along with help from one of the best defenses in the state.
“I’ve got a headache right now from, but I will remember this night for a long time.”
Second-year Honaker coach Derrick Murphy hopes the intense atmosphere will pay dividends for his squad.
“That was one of the best games I’ve been a part of in a while,” Murphy said.
Relying on a wicked mix of curveballs and sliders that led to five strikeouts, Altizer allowed just five hits over the first six innings in a 106-pitch outing.
“Caden went as long as he could go and gave us a fighting chance all night,” Murphy said.
Tusculum recruit Connor Musick finished out the game for the Tigers on the mound.
The Tigers were helped by exceptional defense from Christian Ball at third base, Rasnake at shortstop and Musick in center field.
“Our guys gave a championship effort and that’s what I’ve been trying to get out of them all year,” Murphy said. “We came up short, but Chilhowie is really good and we could see them two more times.”
The Tigers (13-8, 6-4) posted a 15-9 record last season, falling to Eastside in the Region 1D semifinals.
Chilhowie has advanced to the VHSL Class 1 state tournament each of the past five years.
The Hogoheegee District tournament will begin on Monday with the quarterfinals at satellite sites. Action will shift to Emory & Henry on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Patrick Henry won the regular season title, with Chilhowie and Honaker next in line.
Despite his misfortune and pain, Nash smiled during the lengthy post-game celebrations.
“It’s been a rough week, but I always look for the good in life,” Nash said.
Honaker 000 002 100-3 2 1
Chilhowie 000 003 001-4 9 2
Altizer, C. Musick (7) and Beavers. Nash, Gonzalez (6) and Bowman. W-Gonzalez. L-Musick. HR-none.
