By Michael Lindsay
The Gordonsville Tigers opened their 2024 TSSAA state baseball tournament run with a victory Tuesday night at Rockvale as they defeated McKenzie, 2-1.
Gordonsville sophomore pitcher Colton Bennett went the distance for the Tigers as he struck out 15 batters while surrendering 3 walks and only 1 hit in 7 complete innings.
McKenzie struck first by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the first inning before Gordonsville rallied to tie the contest at 1 run each via a Sam Albritton single to score J Foster.
Neither team found home again until the top of the seventh inning as Gordonsville’s Tucker Smith drove in Foster with a double to left, giving Gordonsville a 2-1 lead entering the bottom of the seventh.
Bennett didn’t allow a runner in the frame as he forced a grounder followed by two strikeouts to preserve the 2-1 victory for Gordonsville.
The Tigers are scheduled to play next on Wednesday at 12:3o p.m. at Rockvale High School against University School of Johnson City.
