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Star Correspondent

JOHNSON CITY — Elizabethton secured a critical 4-3 victory over Tennessee High on Friday night in a District 1-AAA winner’s bracket semifinal at Thomas Stadium, earning a spot in Sunday’s championship round with two chances to claim the title.

The Cyclones struck early, plating three runs in the bottom of the first after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the top of the inning. Brayden Buckles drew a leadoff walk and swiped second base. After two quick outs, Elizabethton rallied.

Steven Meadows delivered a run-scoring single to bring home Buckles. JD Hooks followed with a single, and Justin Whitehead’s RBI hit scored Meadows. Pinch runner Brock Shelby moved to third and then scored on a Jack Blevins single to give the Cyclones a 3-0 lead after one inning.

Tennessee High responded in the fourth inning. Cyclone starter Bryson Rowland walked Rylan Lambert and Russell Blevins to open the frame. After a strikeout, Lambert took third on a wild pitch and later scored on another errant delivery to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Vikings added another run in the sixth. Lambert walked again to start the inning and scored on a two-out RBI single from Gabe Altizer, narrowing the Cyclone lead to 3-2.

Elizabethton added what proved to be the game-winning run in the bottom half of the sixth. Blevins walked and advanced to third on an Evan Chambers single. Marshall Holtsclaw delivered with two outs, singling to score Blevins and make it a 4-2 game.

Tennessee High mounted one final threat in the seventh. Preston Feagins and Hudson Pender walked, and Knox Keesee singled to load the bases with one out. Peyton Leonard delivered a run-scoring single to bring Feagins home. With the tying and go-ahead runs aboard, Whitehead struck out Blevins and induced a pop-up from Colton Cross to seal the win.

Rowland earned the win on the mound, pitching four innings of one-hit ball with six strikeouts and six walks while allowing one earned run. Whitehead picked up the save, tossing the final three innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs while walking three and striking out two.

Gage Graziano took the loss for the Vikings, surrendering three runs on five hits across three innings.

Hooks led the Cyclones offensively with two of the team’s eight hits. Rowland, Meadows, Whitehead, Blevins, Chambers and Holtsclaw added one hit apiece. Tennessee High finished with four hits — one each from Keesee, Leonard, Lambert and Altizer.

Elizabethton advances to Sunday’s championship and will face the winner of Saturday’s elimination game. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m., with a second game at 6 p.m. if necessary.