PREP BASEBALL: Excited Estepp Pitches Gate City Past Virginia High

By Allen Gregory
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: May 20, 2008

BRISTOL, Va. — Gate City junior Jordan Estepp received an emotional phone call two days ago. It spelled bad news for Virginia High fans.

The tall junior right-hander, who has been unable to pitch for a month, was cleared to return in Tuesday’s Clinch Mountain District baseball tournament.

“Jordan was excited and we were excited for him,” GC coach Shannon Carter said.

Estepp responded by striking out seven and walking none en route to a complete game as the Blue Devils stopped Virginia High by a 5-3 margin.

“I was diagnosed with tendonitis in my right elbow after throwing a couple games early in the season, then I wasn’t throw again until May 8,” said Estepp, who played for a Knoxville-based summer team.

“It felt great to come back.”

The Gate City ace felt even better Tuesday after his teammates collected nine hits, stole four bases and played solid defense.

Freshman Wes Hughes led GC (10-8) led with a solo home run and line single, while catcher Dustin Jones added two singles. Jones missed 10 games with a broken hand before returning three games

ago.“We have a young team, but I couldn’t ask any more from these guys,” Carter said. “It’s all about work ethic. Gate City has the best kids, not only in baseball but in all sports. Our school has a

winning tradition and we’re just trying to follow.”

Thanks to three errors,the Bearcats (9-12) finished with a rare losing record.

“It’s the same things we’ve struggled with all year,” VHS coach Mark Daniels said. “We can’t get the key hits on offense or make the key out on defense. When you are unable make routine plays it leads

to more errors

“We just haven’t been able to put it together all season, but we’ll keep plugging and see what we can do next season.”

Josh Murray led VHS with two singles, while Kalan Mabe struck out five. The Bearcats compiled eight hits against, but were unable to put together a big inning against Estepp, who relied on a curveball

and changeup.

“He kept us off-balance, threw strikes and made us hit his pitches,” Daniels said. “For his first outing in a while, [Estepp] sure looked polished.”

Carter was proud of his ace, who earned six victories on the mound last season.

“We missed Jordan’s arm all year, and we’re happy to have him back,” Carter said. “He worked like a bulldog out there and relied on his defense. That’s what it takes to win big games.’’

Gate City 030 000 2—5 9 1

Virginia High 000 020 1—3 8 3

Estepp and Jones. Mabe and Arnold. W—Estepp (2-1) L—Mabe (3-5).  HR—Hughes (GC) 2nd, none on.

John Battle 16, Lebanon 6

The Trojans ended the late game in the sixth inning with an eight-run barrage.

“Lebanon came out stroking the ball and we played kind of sloppy on defense, so it was very nice to see that kind of inning,” Battle coach Larry Cannon said.

The Trojans (16-4) finished with a total of 14 hits as Josh Osborne, J.J. Jones, Tim Arnold, Taryn Hayden and Austin Sorah all collected two hits. Arnold supplied a three-run triple.

“Tim has been in a little slump as far as he’s concerned, but I couldn’t ask for more tonight,” Cannon said.

Lebanon was doomed by five errors and six strikeouts.

“This game is the way our season has gone,” Lebanon coach Doc Adams said.

The Pioneers (12-9) actually began the season with a 10-2 record.

“We quit hitting the ball and started making mental mistakes,” said Adams, who will lose four seniors.  “Things just went south.”

Cody Compton led Lebanon with two hits.

John Battle faces Gate City in the title game Thursday night at 7:30. Both team advance to the regionals which begin Tuesday at home sites before shifting to Honaker Thursday.

Lebanon 110 211 —6 8 5

John Battle 400 408—16 14 4

Taylor, Miller (5) and Castle. Hutton, Denton (5) and Jones. W—Hutton (7-2) L—Taylor (3-3).

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