Chester County’s postseason run ended over the weekend as the Eagles lost back-to-back games in the Region Tournament. Chester County lost to Dyer County on Friday night and then fell to Lexington in an elimination game on Saturday.
The losses closed the book on a season that saw Chester County finish 23-11 while capturing both the district regular season championship and the district tournament championship.
The weekend also brought individual recognition for the Eagles, as Lane Estes was announced Friday as one of three finalists for Tennessee’s Class 3A Mr. Baseball award.
The Eagles also closed the year playing some of their best baseball, going 11-3 during the month of April before finishing 3-3 in May against postseason competition.
On Friday night, Chester County jumped out early against Dyer County and led 2-0 through three innings.
Ethan Rhodes drove in the Eagles’ first run with a groundout in the opening inning, and Elam Murphy added another RBI single in the third to stretch the lead.
Dyer County answered in the middle innings, tying the game in the fourth before taking the lead for good in the fifth. The Choctaws added another insurance run in the seventh to secure a 5-2 win.
Lane Estes gave Chester County a solid start on the mound, working 5.1 innings while striking out four. Tage Hill and Ross Hopper also saw action in relief.
Murphy led the Eagles with an RBI, while Jaden Weaver, Ethan Burks, Estes and Hopper each collected a hit.
The loss pushed Chester County into a Saturday elimination matchup against Lexington.
The Eagles battled Saturday afternoon again, but Lexington pulled away late for a 9-5 win.
Lexington scored two runs in the first inning and added to the lead in the third and fourth before Chester County answered with a three-run fifth inning to climb back into the game.
Lane Estes and Jaden Weaver each drove in a run during the rally, while Ethan Rhodes scored twice for the Eagles. Chester County collected seven hits in the game, including two from Weaver.
RJ Patel gave the Eagles strong relief work, pitching four innings and striking out three while allowing three runs.
Lexington added three more runs in the seventh inning to help seal the win.
Despite the final results, the Eagles closed the season after one of the strongest stretches in recent program history. Chester County battled through an emotional district tournament weekend, won the district tournament championship and advanced to regional play with momentum and toughness.
