Bristol Herald Courier | Tim Hayes | Photo Credit: Allen Gregory
The dudes at Honaker High School are attempting to turn a triple play.
The Tigers have already won regional championships in football and boys basketball during the current school year.
Can they do the same in baseball?
If so, they must first navigate the highly-competitive Hogoheegee District, which will not be an easy task.
After all, the last five Region 1D titlists have all come from the league.
Lebanon rolled to the VHSL Class 1 state crown last season while representing the Hogo, but the Pioneers shifted to the Class 2 Southwest District under the VHSL’s latest round of realignment.
Taking their place in the district is Honaker, which returned to the Hogoheegee after mostly dominating the Black Diamond District from 1988-89 through 2022-23.
HONAKER
While Honaker is back in the Hogoheegee after a 34-year absence, head coach Chris Anderson’s Tigers have familiarity with their new foes.
In fact, Honaker played games against Chilhowie, Patrick Henry, Holston and Northwood last season.
Pitching figures to be a strength for Honaker with sophomore Connor Musick and junior Matthew Nunley leading the way.
Musick was the 2023 Black Diamond District pitcher of the year after going 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA. He tossed a two-hit shutout with 15 strikeouts on March 14 in a 10-0 win over J.I. Burton.
Nunley was 2-1 with a 2.37 ERA a season ago. He struck out 15 in spinning a one-hit shutout in a 5-0 victory over Ridgeview on March 13.
Both those guys can hit as well as Musick compiled a .440 batting average last season and Nunley hit .368.
They were joined on the All-BDD team by second baseman Trevor Lester (.213) and outfielder Eli McGlothlin (.244), while catcher Isaac Johnson, outfielder Devon Hale and first baseman/pitcher Christian Ball also have varsity experience.
Third baseman Jakobi Nunley, utility man/pitcher Kam Beavers and designated hitter Elijah Musick will also be counted on to contribute.
Peyton Whited, Levi Johnson and Braxton McGlothlin rounded out the preseason roster.
“We’re excited for the move to the Hogoheegee as it is a very strong baseball district and every league game will be a challenge,” Anderson said. “I feel that we’re pretty strong at the top of our rotation and our lineup. We will just need to develop a few more pitchers and fill out the rest of the lineup. However, we do have a pretty good crop of athletes that are out for baseball this year, so hopefully, we can build a lineup that will be competitive and in the hunt for a district title.”