Five RBI Day for Hayden Layne Brings in Win For Hendersonville Commandos Varsity Over Siegel

Five runs batted in from Hayden Layne helped lead HHS past Siegel 19-12 on Saturday. Layne drove in runs on a grand slam in the first and a single in the second.

Both pitching staffs had their hands full, frequently dealing with runners on base.

In the first inning the big blow came off the bat of Layne on a first inning grand slam, his second homer of the day.

The Commandos went on to put up seven runs in the second inning. Reid Nelson, Gabe Dalton, Layne, Gaylen Rutledge, and Austin Mays all drove in runs in the frame.

Siegel scored four runs in the fourth inning to get back in the game

Harrison Williams was credited with the victory for on the mound for HHS. Kobe Carter came out of the bulpen and helped to close out the game in relief.  The junior notched his second save of the year going the games final three innings, allowing just one run. 

HHS racked up 16 hits in the game. Layne, Nelson, Noah Owens, Dalton, Mays, and Rutledge all managed multiple hits with Nelson and Layne leading the way with three hits each. 

The highlight of the game came in the 6th inning as Grant Lang and Luke McClendon turned one of the best double plays on a glove flip and a bare-hand relay....a true highlight.

With the win HHS improves to 6-0 on the season.  The Commandos will be back in District 9AAA play this week against Lebanon on Tuesday night at 7:00 in Lebanon. 

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.”

HENDERSONVILLE – Hendersonville Commando pitcher Hayden Mullins had his way with the Portland Panthers on Tuesday night to open the 2018 baseball season.

Mullins pitched six full innings, striking out 11 Panthers and allowing just one hit. Mullins lost his no-hitter in the top of the fourth inning when Austin Crane connected on a double to left field.

Brett Coker ended the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when he hit a grand slam over the left field wall, securing the 10-0 victory. The home run scored Austin Mayes, Reid Nelson and Gabe Dalton after all three players walked to start the inning. Dalton scored a game-high three runs and recorded three hits in the victory, while Coker finished with four RBIs.

Hendersonville tallied 10 hits and didn’t commit a single error on defense. Already up 2-0, the Commandos tacked on four runs in the fifth inning following four singles that started the inning.

With Cam On The Mound, Hendersonville Commandos Varsity Shuts Out Portland Panthers

Cam Hansen threw a gem on Wednesday for Hendersonville Commandos Varsity, allowing zero runs and besting Portland Panthers by a score of 15-0

Hendersonville Commandos Varsity secured the victory thanks to 13 runs in the first inning. The Commandos were led offensively by Harrison Williams, Hayden Layne, Reid Nelson, Gabe Dalton, Layne, and Gaylen Rutledge, all driving in runs in the inning.                  

Hansen allowed three hits and zero runs over five innings, striking out seven and walking zero.

Austin Crane took the loss for Portland Panthers. He lasted two-thirds of an inning, allowing six hits and 12 runs.

Hendersonville racked up 11 hits. Williams and Layne all collected multiple hits for Hendersonville Commandos Varsity. Layne and Williams each managed two hits to lead HHS with Layne hitting his first HR of the season.  With the win HHS improves to 2-0 on the season and 2-0 in District 9AAA.

Two Hendersonville Commandos Varsity Pitchers Combine In Shutout Victory Against Oakland

The Commandos traveled to Mack Hawks Field and defeated long-time rival Murfreesboro Oakland 2-0 on Thursday as Brandon Tucker and Kobe Carter combined to throw a shutout.

Tucker picked up his first win as a Commando going six innings against a very experience Patriot lineup.  Carter picked up where he left off in 2017 as the closer for the Commandos retiring Oakland in the 7th to get his first save or 2018.

Austin Mays singled on a 1-0 count in the top of the second with two outs to score Brett Coker who had sigled earlier in the inning to give HHS the lead. 

Gabe Dalton made the score 2-0 in the top of the third.  The senior hit a towering fly ball to dead center field that hit the top of the wall and bounced back into play.  By the time the Oakland defense got the ball in Dalton had rounded the bases for an inside the park home-run, his first of the season. 

The Commandos scattered nine hits in the game. Brett Coker and Gaylen Rutledge each managed multiple hits for Hendersonville Commandos Varsity. Coker went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the way.  With the win HHS moves to 3-0 on the year and will continue play in the Grand Slam Challenge over the weekend in Murfreesboro.