SWEET REDEMPTION; Owls clinch region runner-up, sectional appearance; avenge previous losses to 5AA foe Watertown

By Terry Collins Courier Sports

WHITE HOUSE — The Smith County High Owls baseball team squared off with Watertown for the fifth time in the Region 3AA loser’s bracket finals at White House Heritage last Saturday night.

Smith Co. had lost the previous four matchups with the Purple Tigers as the last two defeats came via Owls’ mistakes in the bottom half of the seventh inning. 

The Owls got sweet redemption for those heart-breaking losses with a 9-6 victory to end the Purple Tigers’ season at 27-7 — and dash the  top ten ranked program’s 2A state tournament hopes.

“The last two times we played Watertown, one being the District Championship, we had the lead going into the last inning,” said SCHS baseball head coach Malone Smith. “Today the difference was we kept our composure, we stayed calm in the moment and took care of business. Honestly, I don’t think we win that game today without those other tough losses. I think we grew from those as a team and trusted the process. Our guys showed some real maturity learning and adapting as the season has gone on.”

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