The Wilson Post
LEBANON WEATHER

Region Champs: Commandos down Mt. Juliet 6-4 in title game




Hendersonville players celebrate on the field after winning the Region Championship over Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players celebrate on the field after winning the Region Championship over Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

HENDERSONVILLE — Wednesday night’s region championship contest between Hendersonville and Mt. Juliet wasn’t a win-or-go-home scenario.

However, Hendersonville players want to hand as many championship plaques to retiring skipper Mike Hendrix as possible.

Wednesday night’s 6-4 win earned the Commandos and Hendrix their second championship plaque of the postseason — this time a Region 5-4A plaque to go alongside their already won District 10-4A plaque.

“Hopefully, we got a little destiny going,” Hendrix said. “I’m enjoying every moment, and I’m at peace. Everything moving forward is icing on the cake.”

The win marked the 10th in a row for Hendersonville, giving the feeling the Commandos are peaking at the right time.

“I think they have the mentality where they can win, which is the most important part,” Hendrix said.

Hendersonville continues to swing the bat well at the plate, tallying at least eight hits in nine of their last 10 outings.

Hendersonville's Lake Morris does a flip as Commando players celebrate.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Lake Morris does a flip as Commando players celebrate.Brett Berwager

“I’m not sure what Harold Herman (assistant coach) is doing with them, but they are going back Friday (hit pregame),” Hendrix said. “Hitting is contagious, and they don’t think anyone can get them out three times in a row.”

Against Mt. Juliet, Hendersonville batters got to the Bears pitching early and often, forcing the Wilson County product to use three pitchers over seven innings.

Five batters (Zach Zimmerle, Torin Baker, Kaden Wilks, Zach Dumas and Cole Ullrich) tallied multiple hits, while Jonathan Odom tied a team-high with two RBIs.

As for what makes this team unique and gives coaches the belief they can make a real run at being the last team standing, it’s the love for one another.

“Their chemistry is unmatched,” Hendrix said. “That’s a lot of our success, but their ability to bounce back is the other thing. We’ve gone through our share of ups and downs, and there were a couple of times I wasn’t sure we’d recover, but they’ve always bounced back.”

Hendersonville players celebrate their Region Championship.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players celebrate their Region Championship.Brett Berwager

Payton Peterson started the game for the Commandos before being pulled for Ryan Lewis in the third inning. Lewis pitched three innings, surrendering two hits and striking out three earning the win.

Carson Briscoe and Theron Lee pitched an inning each, with Lee earning the save in the top of the seventh.

“Ryan came in and threw well, shut ‘em down, and we wanted to match lefty-for-lefty with Briscoe,” Hendrix said of his rotation. “Theron came in and did a good job, but we needed him to throw because we will need him down the stretch.”

Hendersonville will host Ravenwood on Friday at 7 p.m. at Drakes Creek. The winner will punch their ticket to the state tournament.

Hendersonville's Carson Briscoe hands the Regional Championship plaque to teammate Torin Baker.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Carson Briscoe hands the Regional Championship plaque to teammate Torin Baker.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Torin Baker holds up the Regional Championship plaque.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker holds up the Regional Championship plaque.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players pose for a photo together after winning the Regional Championship over Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players pose for a photo together after winning the Regional Championship over Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players pose for a photo together with Head Coach Mike Hendrix.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players pose for a photo together with Head Coach Mike Hendrix.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players huddle up together after winning the Regional Championship at Drakes Creek Park Wednesday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players huddle up together after winning the Regional Championship at Drakes Creek Park Wednesday night.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville Head Coach Mike Hendrix addresses his team after Wednesday night's victory.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville Head Coach Mike Hendrix addresses his team after Wednesday night’s victory.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Theron Lee delivers the final pitch of the game to seal the victory for the Commandos.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Theron Lee delivers the final pitch of the game to seal the victory for the Commandos.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Kaden Wilks celebrates his RBI double.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Kaden Wilks celebrates his RBI double.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players stand for the National Anthem.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville players stand for the National Anthem.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville starting pitcher Peyton Peterson delivers a pitch against Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville starting pitcher Peyton Peterson delivers a pitch against Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Baylor Osborne slides safely into third base as Hendersonville's Zach Dumas attempts to field the throw.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Baylor Osborne slides safely into third base as Hendersonville’s Zach Dumas attempts to field the throw.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Baylor Osborne runs towards home plate for the first run of the game.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Baylor Osborne runs towards home plate for the first run of the game.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Easton Krenzke celebrates the first run of the game fort Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Easton Krenzke celebrates the first run of the game fort Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Justin Lee swings at a pitch.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Justin Lee swings at a pitch.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Easton Krenzke slides into second base as Hendersonville's Zach Zimmerle tags him out.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Easton Krenzke slides into second base as Hendersonville’s Zach Zimmerle tags him out.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Kaden Wilks looks on before an at bat against Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Kaden Wilks looks on before an at bat against Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Austin Hunley tosses the baseball to pitcher Roman Petricca.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Austin Hunley tosses the baseball to pitcher Roman Petricca.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet starting pitcher Roman Petricca delivers a pitch against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet starting pitcher Roman Petricca delivers a pitch against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Austin Hunley catches a throw at first base while attempting to tag out Hendersonville's Zach Zimmerle.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Austin Hunley catches a throw at first base while attempting to tag out Hendersonville’s Zach Zimmerle.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Zach Zimmerle slides safely into second base as Mt. Juliet's Daniel Michael looks to make the tag.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Zach Zimmerle slides safely into second base as Mt. Juliet’s Daniel Michael looks to make the tag.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet players huddle up together during the first inning.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet players huddle up together during the first inning.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Cole Ullrich swings at a pitch.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Cole Ullrich swings at a pitch.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Daniel Michael steps into the batters box as he looks at his bat.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Daniel Michael steps into the batters box as he looks at his bat.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Lawson Alder fights off a pitch.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Lawson Alder fights off a pitch.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Zach Zimmerle slides safely into second base as Mt. Juliet's Daniel Michael fields the throw.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Zach Zimmerle slides safely into second base as Mt. Juliet’s Daniel Michael fields the throw.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Zach Zimmerle, right, celebrates scoring a run with teammate Kaden Wilks.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Zach Zimmerle, right, celebrates scoring a run with teammate Kaden Wilks.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Anthony Buckland looks to throw out a runner as Hendersonville's Torin Baker slides across home plate for a run.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Anthony Buckland looks to throw out a runner as Hendersonville’s Torin Baker slides across home plate for a run.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Torin Baker celebrates scoring a run against Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Torin Baker celebrates scoring a run against Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet pitcher Roman Petricca walks towards the dugout after being taken out of Wednesday's game.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet pitcher Roman Petricca walks towards the dugout after being taken out of Wednesday’s game.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Kaden Wilks and Mt. Juliet's Tannor Meyer talk during a pitching change for Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Kaden Wilks and Mt. Juliet’s Tannor Meyer talk during a pitching change for Mt. Juliet.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Easton Krenzke lays down a bunt.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Easton Krenzke lays down a bunt.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Jonathan Odom looks to turn a double play.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Jonathan Odom looks to turn a double play.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Joey Losurdo reaches first base safely as Hendersonville's Jonathan Odom attempts to catch a wild throw.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Joey Losurdo reaches first base safely as Hendersonville’s Jonathan Odom attempts to catch a wild throw.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Daniel Michael hits a ground ball.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Daniel Michael hits a ground ball.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Jonathan Odom helps turn a double play.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Jonathan Odom helps turn a double play.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Cole Ullrich swings at a pitch.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Cole Ullrich swings at a pitch.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Daniel Michael tags out Hendersonville's Cole Ullrich on a steal attempt.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Daniel Michael tags out Hendersonville’s Cole Ullrich on a steal attempt.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Austin Hunley catches a high throw as he attempts to tag out Hendersonville's Lawson Alder.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Austin Hunley catches a high throw as he attempts to tag out Hendersonville’s Lawson Alder.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Tannor Meyer fields a ground ball with his barehand.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Tannor Meyer fields a ground ball with his barehand.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Zach Dumas slides safely into second base as Mt. Juliet's Daniel Michael looses control of the ball.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Zach Dumas slides safely into second base as Mt. Juliet’s Daniel Michael looses control of the ball.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Joey Losurdo reacts to a strike three call.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Joey Losurdo reacts to a strike three call.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Keaton Reese delivers a pitch against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Keaton Reese delivers a pitch against Hendersonville.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville's Kaden Wilks connects for an RBI double to right center field.Brett Berwager

Hendersonville’s Kaden Wilks connects for an RBI double to right center field.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Baylor Osborne swings at a pitch.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Baylor Osborne swings at a pitch.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet third baseman Tannor Meyer looks to dry his hand during Wednesday night's game.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet third baseman Tannor Meyer looks to dry his hand during Wednesday night’s game.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet's Baylor Osborne catches the ball to tag out Hendersonville's Mason Baker at third base.Brett Berwager

Mt. Juliet’s Baylor Osborne catches the ball to tag out Hendersonville’s Mason Baker at third base.Brett Berwager

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