Four arms, 1 hit

Back from strong Fla. showing, CAK blanks Lakeway in district

KNOXVILLE — Most high school baseball programs would quickly accept a 7-0 “sluggish” victory. But Tommy Pharr, Christian Academy of Knoxville varsity baseball head coach, isn’t a nine-time career state champ without constantly striving for excellence.

“We were a little sluggish coming back from Spring Break,” Pharr said about a 7-0 district win against Lakeway Christian Academy, allowing just one hit and three baserunners in the Warriors’ home opener Monday afternoon, March 22. “I felt like we pitched well and played pretty good defense. They helped us a lot as far as walks and stuff.”

The Warriors were among the Florida High School Invitational field in Sanford during Spring Break, finishing 3-2. “We went to Florida and played some quality teams,” Pharr said. “We could have won another one down there, but we could have gotten beat more, too.

“Bay (Griffin) pitched well today, and pitched well in Florida,” the coach added about his senior starter versus the LCA Lions, who allowed just one hit without a walk while striking out six in four innings. “Elijah Dew pitched well in Florida. Simon Tesh pitched well in Florida. We had some guys that swung it good.”

Overall, “It kind of showed us what we need to work on.”

As for CAK’s relievers against Lakeway, “We had some guys pitch well,” Pharr said about Tyler Wood (fifth inning), Andrew Moore (sixth, striking out the side) and Grant Berrier (seventh), who combined to allow no hits and one walk.

Left fielder Tyler Jenkins , who had two hits (including a double) and drove in four runs, was a key part of CAK’s five-run first inning against the Lions.

Third baseman Walker Strange stroked an RBI single, while Zach Bergstrom had a two-RBI single and second baseman Luke Harms added a bunt single.