Cyclones capture back-to-back district crowns with 3-1 win over Unicoi Co.
Published 6:30 pm Monday, May 5, 2025
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Cyclones starting pitcher Carter Reece delivers a pitch to home plate.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Elizabethton Cyclones coaching staff holds the hardware from Sunday’s district title.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Freshman shortstop Evan Chambers and relief pitcher Coleman Krawczyk celebrate after Chambers started a 6-4-3 double play to end the sixth inning against Unicoi Co.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton's Jack Blevins slides safely home after the relay throw skipped away from the Blue Devils’ catcher.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A Cyclones baserunner slides headfirst safely into third base as the ball rolls up the glove of the Blue Devils’ third baseman.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A Unicoi Co. baserunner slides back safely to first base ahead of the tag from Cyclones first baseman Bryson Rowland.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Tournament MVP and Cyclones catcher JD Hooks looks to the Elizabethton dugout for the next pitch sequence.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A Unicoi Co. baserunner takes a lead at first as Cyclones pitcher Carter Reece delivers to the plate.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton's Jack Blevins signals to the Cyclones dugout after hitting a single late in Sunday’s District 1-AAA game at Thomas Stadium.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A Cyclones baserunner reads the pitcher from his lead at first base.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Elizabethton Cyclones celebrate winning the 2025 District 1-AAA baseball tournament.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Tournament MVP JD Hooks slides headfirst safely under the Blue Devils’ catcher to give the Cyclones a 2-1 lead.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Elizabethton first baseman Bryson Rowland slaps a single into the outfield.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Elizabethton Cyclones captured the 2025 District 1-AAA baseball tournament at Thomas Stadium with a 3-1 win over Unicoi Co. on Sunday.
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Star Correspondent
JOHNSON CITY — With the District 1-AAA championship on the line, the Elizabethton Cyclones delivered a gritty, team-oriented performance to secure a 3-1 victory over Unicoi County Sunday afternoon at Thomas Stadium on the campus of East Tennessee State University.
The win marked Elizabethton’s second straight district title and the first under new head coach Michael Corn, sending the Cyclones into Friday’s regional semifinal against Grainger County at Northeast Community Credit Union Ballpark. Unicoi County will also head to the regional round, facing Greeneville at the same venue. Game times for both contests are yet to be determined.
Sunday’s final was defined by strong pitching, aggressive baserunning and timely execution as the Cyclones overcame an early deficit before sealing the win behind a shutdown pitching performance and key defensive plays.
The Blue Devils opened the scoring in the top of the first. Kaden Cutlip drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on an error. After another walk loaded the bases, Angel Delgado drew a bases-loaded walk to put Unicoi ahead 1-0. Cyclone starter Carter Reece responded by striking out the next two batters to limit the damage.
“We had a rough first inning,” said senior JD Hooks, who was named tournament MVP. “But Carter started filling it up and cruised from there. He did an amazing job.”
The Cyclones responded in the second inning. Hooks was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice, stole third and scored when a throw to third base sailed into left field, tying the game at 1-1.
After two scoreless frames, Elizabethton struck again in the bottom of the fifth. Jack Blevins singled and moved to second on a bunt by Evan Chambers. A steal of third followed, and Blevins raced home on a sacrifice fly by Marshall Holtsclaw to give the Cyclones a 2-1 lead. Moments later, Brayden Buckles was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on Bryson Rowland’s RBI single to left, pushing the lead to 3-1.
“We didn’t have many hits,” Hooks added, “but we thrive on stolen bases and passed balls to get into position to score.”
The Cyclone bullpen held firm as sophomore left-hander Coleman Krawczyk entered in the sixth and closed the game. A textbook double play started by Chambers and turned by Blevins and Rowland erased a potential rally in the sixth, and Krawczyk allowed just one hit in the seventh before inducing a game-ending flyout.
“Sometimes you win games by pitching and sometimes you win them by swinging the stick,” said Corn. “Other times, you have to manufacture runs — and we are capable of doing that.”
Blevins led Elizabethton at the plate with a 2-for-2 effort, while Rowland and Steven Meadows added singles. Cutlip and Delgado had Unicoi’s only hits. Reece earned the win on the mound, with Krawczyk securing the save. Elizabethton committed two errors to Unicoi’s one.
The Cyclones placed Rhett Slagle, Reece and Rowland on the All-Tournament team alongside Hooks, who was recognized for his energy and all-around play as the MVP.
Corn, nearly overcome with emotion, praised his players’ resolve.
“Every game in this tournament was tight,” said Corn. “For us to be in these situations and perform, I’m just humbled by it — almost in tears. Not just because of winning, but because of the joy it brings those boys.”
He also noted the youth on his roster and the strong individual performance by center fielder Buckles.
“I think a lot of people make a big deal about other teams being young. That Cyclone team is not gray-haired like their coach,” Corn joked. “You have a freshman at shortstop and in right field. And I’d be crazy not to say something about Brayden Buckles — he’s an elite defender, and you guys saw it.”
Elizabethton now shifts its focus to regional play, just two wins away from a sectional berth as the postseason continues.
