Eagleville baseball turns again to Josh Jeffcoat, who delivers complete game in TSSAA title repeat

MURFREESBORO – Eagleville baseball junior Josh Jeffcoat might have been running on adrenaline alone in the seventh inning of Friday’s Class 1A state championship game at MTSU’s Reese Smith Field.

But he was determined to finish, and Coach Brandon Bassham had faith he could.

The decision paid off as the Eagles held off East Robertson 6-3 to capture their second consecutive state title.

“I told them before the game that I wanted it, this was my game,” said Jeffcoat, who had thrown 53 pitches on Wednesday. He tossed a complete-game seven-hitter, allowing three earned runs, walking two and striking out nine.

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“I thought he threw fantastic, but it was more about knowing he threw 53 pitches two days ago,” said Bassham, who had Brady Burns warmed and ready to go if needed. “It was just a matter of how much gas he had left in the tank.”

Holding a three-run lead at the time, Eagleville wisely pulled Jeffcoat from Wednesday’s game, just two pitches less than would have made him ineligible to pitch Friday. Having the No. 2 pitcher in the rotation ready for the championship game was huge for the Eagles (35-5).

"What a performance," Bassham said, of Jeffcoat's 106-pitch performance. "It was very gutsy."

TSSAA baseball rules limit pitchers to 120 pitches per day. Pitchers who throw 26-55 pitches in a day are allowed to return to the mound after one day of rest.

"I was ready, but I'm glad for (Jeffcoat)," said Burns, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the win. "We couldn't ask for a better outing out of him. A complete game is exactly what we needed out of him. He brought it. It was awesome."

Eagleville has not lost a postseason game during the two-year championship run, going 72-7 overall during that stretch. The 2023 Eagles repeated after losing the top four batters in the order to graduation.

"It's unbelievable," said Eagleville senior first baseman Trent Young, one of three starters the Eagles will graduate. "I'm really proud of this team. We've worked hard all year. It's a pretty special moment."

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"Trent was a pinch hitter last year, and this year he hit .400," Bassham said, discussing his senior class. "That's the kind of people who stepped up. (Daniel) Floyd didn't pitch a lot last year, but gave us seven strong innings (Thursday), (Kolten Daniel) has been a staple for three years. Just a phenomenal group of kids that go out and do their job."

Like it had done in many of its wins this season, Eagleville struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning. East Robertson cut the lead to 3-2 in the third, but the Eagles scored solo runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh.

Jeffcoat got in quick trouble in the seventh, allowing a leadoff triple and then a single to cut the lead to three. He then recorded his ninth strikeout before inducing a flyout and groundout.

"I was pumped up," Jeffcoat said. "Neves don't really get to me."

Eagleville junior catcher Nathan Brown went 2-for-3 with two RBIs while junior outfielder Brody McLemore went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI and Daniel went 2-for-4 with a run.

With six starters returning, including most of the pitching staff, is it too early to think three-peat?

"We have a great group of guys coming back," Burns said.

"Let's enjoy today first," said Bassham, with a laugh.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: TSSAA state baseball tournament: Eagleville repeat championship