In a typical three hour plus match between McCallie and Baylor, the host Red Raiders spotted the visiting Blue Tornado the doubles point then won five of six singles for a 5-2 victory Wednesday.
The win gives Baylor (10-3) the Middle/East Region title and will host a state quarterfinal match next week against Christian Brothers with the winner advancing to the Spring Fling Final Four in Murfreesboro May 19-20.
McCallie finishes second in the region and is tentatively scheduled to host Brentwood Academy Tuesday.
In exciting doubles matches, McCallie won at Nos.
2-3, including a 9-7 win by Cody Gubin and Charley Thel to secure the team point. Baylor had won at No.1 (Chad Woodham-Jack Gray), while McCallie won at No. 3 (Andrew Smith-Conner O’Brien).
"I thought winning the doubles point might give us an edge in singles, but Baylor is solid one through six,” said McCallie coach Eric Voges. “It was a typical McCallie-Baylor match with every kid playing hard thoughout.
”I was pleased with the way Cody (Gubin) played at No.1, winning in the third set tie-breaker after Baylor had already secured the team win.”
Baylor coach Phillip Thompson said,” when McCallie won the doubles point I knew it was anybody’s match. Our guys stepped up and won some big matches singles and they are starting to believe in themselves which is so key in close matches.”
Baylor 5, McCallie 2
Singles
Cody Gubin (McC) def. Chad Woodham, 6-3, 4-6, 10-4
Cooper Long (Bay) def. Carter Eaves, 6-3, 7-5
Jack Gray (Bay) def. Taylor Burgan, 6-4, 6-2
Patrick Toomey (Bay) def. Conner O’Brien, 6-1, 6-3
Alec Kadrie (Bay) def. Andrew Smith, 7-5, 6-3
Stewie Austin (Bay) def. Charley Thel, 6-3, 6-2
Doubles (McCallie won the team point)
Woodham-Gray (Bay) def. Eaves-Burgan, 8-3
Gubin-Thel (McC) def. Long-Toomey, 9-7
Smith-O’Brien (McC) def. Barrett Shock-Ethan Palisoc, 8-3
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net