Anyone who is a baseball fan knows that, as they say, 'Anything can happen.' Those who have followed the Mavericks can certainly attest to that. During their 7 seasons, the Mavericks certainly saw their share of comebacks, dominant performances, big games and events that you would almost have to have seen to believe. Here are just a few of those memorable 'Maverick' moments:
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REVERSE CALLED SHOT. Dickson had an ace pitcher who dealt the Mavericks their first loss of the regular season in 2008. In the loss, the pitcher began to taunt the Maverick hitters, telling them what pitch he was about to throw. In the District championship game, with Dickson behind and their ace again on the mound, the Dickson coach remembered how the Mavericks struggled in the regular season. The coach instructs his pitcher to, “Tell them what you're gonna throw!” The pitcher turned to the plate and motioned 'Fastball' to Mavericks hitter Jordan Stokes. Stokes turned on the pitch and drove it over the left field wall for a home run. The Mavs went on to win the game and tournament.
GYRO. Mavericks pitcher Chase Gornowicz had nursed an arm issue all season. In the 5th inning of the 2008 District championship game, Mavs starting pitcher Tyler Featherstone reached his pitch count limit. Although he had not pitched in a while due to the injury, Coach Mosley called Gornowicz to the mound. Chase said, “I don't even know if I can get the ball over the plate.” Catcher Jordan Stokes said, “Just try Chase. We've got your back.” Chase took the ball. Two fastballs and the nastiest 'Gyro' pitch later, Chase got the second out of the inning on a 3 pitch strikeout. Chase looked into the dugout, smiled, and said, “I'm alright.” Chase got 4 of the final five outs on strikeouts, and made the last out of the game with a little come-backer to the mound that he fielded to tagged out the runner and clinch the 2008 District Championship.
HIT BY PITCH HOMER. In a 2009 home game at home, and with a 3-1 count, a Dickson pitcher hit CJ Tate with a pitch. As he headed to first base, the umpire called Tate back to the plate, claiming he did not make an attempt to get out of the way. The pitch was ruled a strike by the umpire, bringing the count to full. CJ stepped back into the box, turned on the next pitch and drove it over the left field wall for a home run!
CHAD. On opening day in 2009, Chad Harvey pitched one of the most dominant performances of his Maverick career, by striking out 13 of 15 Dickson batters in the shut out win.
CLASSIC. In the opening game of the 2009 state championship, The Mavericks and pitcher Chase Gornowicz took the reigning state champions Jess Neely scoreless into the 7th inning. Only a walk and a throwing error separated the two teams and the Mavs lost 1-0 in one of the best played games in team history.
DOUBLE DOMINANCE. In 2010, pitchers Chad Harvey and Cliff Brewer teamed up to face Dickson in a doubleheader in McEwen. To say that both men were dominant and both men had sufficient run support would be an understatement. They both threw complete game shutouts with a final score of 15-0. That's 30 unanswered runs and 2 shutouts on the same day.
RALLY ONCE AND AGAIN. In a 2011 game in Dickson, the Mavericks were in an 11-0 hole with 6 outs remaining. A 4 run, 4th inning set the stage and closed some of the gap for an exciting 7th inning. In the 7th, after base hits by CJ Tate, Thomas Burns, and Corbin Hayes, and Kyle Chambers reaching on an error, Trent Settles doubled to move into scoring position as the tying run. A single by Tyler Mosley scored Chambers and Settles to win it, or so it appeared. The score book of the Dickson scorekeeper showed an 11-11 score, not the 12-11 score showing on the Mavericks book. So, instead of winning it, the score was now tied at 11. Mosley, who was on first, promptly stole second. Chad Harvey then singled to center, scoring Mosley as the Mavericks rally to take game two 12-11.
ELI. In June of 2011, Eli Spivey put on a hitting clinic in a home game against Dickson. Eli hit 3 home runs, each one over 370 feet, off of 3 different Dickson pitchers in 3 consecutive at bats to tally an amazing 3 homeruns and 9 RBIs in a single game.
WALK OFF. In a 2011 game at East Hickman, the Mavericks were losing going into the bottom of the 7th. East Hickman's young pitcher was strong and the Mavs had struggled against him all game long. With Tyler Mosley, representing the tying run on third and Thomas Burns representing the winning run on second, Eli Spivey came to the plate. After fouling off several pitches and running the count to full, the East Hickman pitcher turned loose of a fastball. Mosley, on third, heard the East Hickman coach say, 'BALL GAME!' as his pitcher released the pitch. Then, as the ball met Eli's bat, he heard the coach say, 'Oh NO!' Eli Spivey drove that pitch deep over the right field wall for a 3 run, walk-off, game winning homerun.
REQUIEM FOR A FRIEND. On Tuesday, May 22, 2012, Current and former Maverick players, family members, friends and fans came together at the ballpark in McEwen to honor the great Eli Spivey. Spivey, the Mavericks all-time home run king, was tragically killed in an automobile accident just prior to the start of the 2012 season. In a touching ceremony, autographed baseballs from Eli's teammates were presented to the family, Eli's uniform number, #18, was officially retired by the team, and a banner in his honor was erected in centerfield. The Mavericks dedicated the season in Eli's honor and went all the way to the state championship game. The Mavericks ultimately finished the season with 18 wins, poetically, the same as Eli's uniform number.
ONE WIN AWAY. In a must win game in the semi-finals, the Mavericks pulled off an extra inning, walk-off win against Lakewood (formerly Jess Neely) to secure their place in the state championship game. The game was a total team effort highlighted by Collin Phillips excellent pitching, Cody Crook's dead on throw to Clay Parker to get a huge out at home in the top of the 8th inning, and Cale Wilson's infield single that scored Garrett Mullinicks in the bottom of the 8th for the win.
ONE BATTER, ONE RUN! In 2013, Dakota Hooper became the first Maverick player to ever lead off a game with a home run. Hooper drove a pitch over the left field wall in a home game against East Hickman.