The Commandos opened up the 2018 season with a sweep of Portland and then a sweep of the Grand Slam Challenge in Rutherford County.  2010 was the last time HHS went 4-0 in the Grand Slam Challenge.  For full recaps of all games click under 2018 Game Summaries.

SMYRNA - The Hendersonville Commandos (6-0) remain undefeated after sweeping a double header in Smyrna, defeating Stewarts Creek (5-1) 16-5 and Siegel (4-3) 19-12 on Saturday.

Stewarts Creek pitcher Will Trapp held the Commandos in check during Game 1, staving off the hot bats of Hendersonville while the Red Hawks raced out to a 5-1 lead. However, in the top of the fifth inning, HHS put up an 11-spot, retaking the lead 12-5. They added four more in the top of the seventh for their fifth straight win.

Starting pitcher Hayden Layne had some struggles on the mound, allowing five runs in three innings. It wasn’t all gloom for Layne though, as we went 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run and three RBIs.

“We’re counting on Hayden (Layne) on the mound and in the field this year,” HHS coach Mike Hendrix said. “So, he’s going to have to figure out what he’s doing differently on the mound this year than last year, and hopefully we can do that by watching some video. Right now, he’s not throwing the baseball like he did last year.”

Michael Waller was dominant in relief for Hendersonville. He held the Red Hawks offense to just five hits over four innings while striking out three. He allowed no runs, providing the Commando bats time to climb back in the game.

“Michael Waller did a great job out there today,” Hendrix said. “You come in and stop the bleeding. I know we can score runs, but the lefty they had out there to start did a good job of keeping us off balance. We were fortunate to win the game.

“A lot of teams don’t come back and score 11 runs in one inning. They made a couple of miscues in the infield that helped us and we’ll take a win any way we can get.”

Reid Nelson (3-for-5), Gabe Dalton (1-for-4), Brett Coker (3-for-5) and Hayden Mullins (1-for-3) all had two RBIs.

In the nightcap, the Commando bats came alive again, roughing up Siegel pitchers Gavin Davis (1 IP, 10 ER) and Cooper Moss (4 IP, 7 ER) en route to a 19-12 win.

Harrison Williams got the win, surrendering nine runs on six hits and walking five. Kobe Carter earned the save, pitching the final three innings and giving up just one run.

Layne and Nelson shined at the plate yet again. Layne was a perfect 3-for-3 with a grand slam and five RBIs, while Nelson went 3-for-4 and added five RBIs of his own. Dalton (2-for-5), Noah Owens (2-for-4) and Gaylen Rutledge (2-for-4) all contributed two RBIs.

“They’re pretty well veteraned right now, they make adjustments when they need to make them,” Hendrix said. “We’ve got a couple of guys who take over this team and go.”