By Rich Hilliard

Encore Pitch: Hurlers Jones, Vaught have Hornets again in Region II-1A baseball final

Dodd City manager Clint Lindsey talks at the mound this spring with the Hornets during District 12-2A baseball. Photo by Rich Hilliard

DODD CITY -- Runs for Dodd City have been plentiful this month during the Class 1A baseball postseason.

Sweeping all three series, the Hornets have reached double digits in the last five of six total games, recorded four run-rule wins -- and outscored the opposition 66-9. 

However, how Dodd City's pitching has performed has made the offensive outburst superflous -- and it's almost all been by two staff members, junior Dillon Jones and sophomore Brayden Vaught. 

"I have six pitchers, but I never get past my two starters. My other pitchers don't get much time,"
said Dodd City manager Clint Lindsey, who this school year returned to his alma mater for his second stint at the helm.

"I can't say which is No. 1 and No. 2," he said of Jones and Vaught. "Both are about even."

During the postseason, Jones, a three-year varsity member, has pitched each series opener including two five-inning shutouts. In 17 innings, he has allowed a single run -- one of only two earned runs this postseason against the Hornets. Opponents have struck out 17 times against Jones, compared to getting 10 hits and two walks. 

"I know I have a great defense behind me," said Jones, "and when [opponents] hit it, they will back me up and I will throw zeros. 

"I don't throw hard," he said. "I have a good two-seam [pitch] I throw anywhere close." 

Meanwhile, Vaught, a second-year varsity member, has started each Game 2. 

"I try to get a rhythm going," said Vaught, who has struck out 28 in 18 innings and allowed 13 hits, six walks and the other earned run. 

"I have a good off-speed pitch," he said. "If coach calls it and if they struggle, I keep throwing it. 

'I have a great defense; I'm not afraid if I'm struggling to let [opponents] hit it -- and know my team will back me."

Sophomore Landon Allen has also pitched a scoreless inning -- to close the regional quarterfinal sweep of Saint Jo -- for the Hornets, whose staff also includes junior Zayne Kennon, sophomore Kason Carson and sophomore Aaron Munger. 

The pitching prowess during the playoffs has come with a postseason and varsity newcomer behind the plate. 

"Gunnar Wilson has stepped in and done a tremendous job. By far, he is the most improved on the team," said Lindsey. "He has the mentality of a natural athlete. 

"As a freshman, he does his job and knows his role. He doesn't try to do too much," he said. "His hitting is also starting to come on. 

"I don't know if I could ask anyone to step up as he has." 

Wilson has handled the position of catcher and the staff since senior Pate Wilkerson broke his collarbone three games into 12-2A play. 

"Some are more accurate. Some throw harder ... You get to know each pitcher and how each mentally handles batters," said Wilson, also a catcher during his Dixie League and junior high baseball days. 

"It's been fun and an experience playing with these guys," he said. "It's the treat of it and I try to give all I can for them."

The dominance at plate and on the mound have earned Dodd City (18-5), the district runner-up to Merit Bland to qualify for the playoffs, a second-straight trip to the Region II-1A final round to continue Lindsey's first year back home. 

"The kids have come out to play and made my job easier. [Assistant coach] Kevin Darwin and I have [just] put our own twist onto what they had," said Lindsey. "They are such a great team. They do what we ask and have come along. 

"I told the team they are the most talented I've had to coach," he said. "There's not one [player] to single out; everyone does his own job and role.

"Baseball has been my passion and what I've loved to do since I was growing up. I got a chance to come back here and jumped on it." 

Note: In the Region II-1A final, Dodd City faces a rematch with Abbott, which swept the two-game series last spring against the Hornets en route to the state semifinals after winning the 1A title in 2017. 

The Fannin County Leader