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Last updated
05-09-09 08:04 AM
 
USJ
Brad Dyer
731-664-0812
232 McClellan Rd
Jackson, Tennessee
38305
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Saturday, May 9
USJ wins third straight crown
BROWNSVILLE - The District 14-AA championship game between University School of Jackson and Ripley was a quick game because starting pitchers Benjie Fesmire (USJ) and Jeffrey Edwards were being aggressive with the opposing batting line-ups.
The batters responded by going after just about every pitch that was in the strikezone.
"That's how you want your team to play," said USJ coach Brad Dyer. "You want the pitcher up there attacking the zone, and you want the batters ready to swing at anything that's hittable."
The Bruins connected more than the Tigers and were able to leave Haywood with a 7-1 win and their third district title in Dyer's four seasons of coaching the perennial power.
"The first two times we played this team, they were both battles," Dyer said of the Bruins' regular-season matchups with the Tigers, which USJ won 3-2 and 16-8. "We had to battle both times, and we had to battle today."
The first two-and-a-half innings saw few baserunners as Fesmire had a no-hitter going until there were two outs in the fourth inning. Edwards allowed two hits in the top of the first but got out of the jam before getting the side out in the second.
Then USJ had two runners on when Brad Barclay and Dusty Bright reached base on an error and single, respectively. Walker McWherter then put the Bruins on the scoreboard with a home run over the right-center field wall for a 3-0 lead.
"I gave Walker the green light on a 3-0 count, and he got a good swing on it," Dyer said. "You can never relax against a good team like Ripley, but you get a good feeling when you get a lead after a shot like that with a pitcher working like Benjie was today."
Both teams continued to swing their bats and put the ball into play on a consistent basis, but both teams' defenses rarely gave the other squad much of a chance to put runners across the plate.
There were a number of grounders that tested USJ shortstop Jake Overbey's skills, and he was able to scoop the ball up and make the play for the out.
"Jake is a heck of a ball player who can make some plays for us on defense," Dyer said. "We've got guys who can make plays in every position, though, but Jake does a great job at his position."
After each team scored a run in the fourth, USJ added insurance in the bottom of the sixth with three runs after Hunter Smith and Fesmire led-off the inning with back-to-back doubles, and Bright hit a single later in the inning for another RBI. Bright later scored from third on a wild pitch.
Smith and Preston Overbey each finished 2-for-3 with two doubles apiece, while McWherter recorded four RBIs in the win.
Fesmire earned the win on the mound with three strikeouts and a run allowed on three hits in seven innings.
Jacoby Harris had an RBI for Ripley.
USJ will host Dyersburg on Monday at 6 p.m., and Ripley will travel to Dyer County in the region semifinals
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Saturday, May 2
Overbey helps USJ with grand slam, pitching
University School of Jackson's Preston Overbey knew. Just about everyone at Haywood knew the ball was long gone. Overbey launched a grand slam to left-center in the bottom of the fourth to build the Bruins' lead in an 11-6 win over North Side in the District 14-AA tournament. USJ, playing in its first tournament game, remains in the winners' bracket and plays again on Monday. North Side plays Fayette-Ware in a losers' bracket game at noon today. As Overbey's ball flew out, the junior tossed his bat and raised his arm. He knew he cleared the bases and knocked in runs seven through 11 for USJ. "I hit it good," said Overbey, who pitched a complete game for the win. "It took pressure off me on the mound." The bases were loaded by North Side starter Daniel Wallace hitting two batters and walking another. Wallace's night on the mound ended after a walk to Benjie Fesmire. "Dan couldn't get a good feel today on the mound," North Side coach Jason McCauley said. "He was definitely a lot more wild than he normally is." Overbey was the first batter to face North Side reliever Brad Haun. He said he was looking for a pitch he could hit and got a fastball. He hit it good. USJ opened the inning with two hits - a double by leadoff hitter Kyle Bryan and a single by Dusty Bright. Both scored and the Bruins scored seven runs in the inning on four hits. "We couldn't wait around until the sixth or the seventh," said Bryan, who scored in the inning to tie the game at four. "We had to get something going." USJ's big inning came after North Side scored four in the top of the third to take a 4-2 lead. USJ's infield committed two errors in the inning and blew a run-down to allow another run in. A pitcher-catcher-first double play on a bouncer up the middle by Wallace with the bases loaded ended the inning. "You've got to win the first game of any tournament," USJ coach Brad Dyer said. "I think the boys came focused. They were just a little tight. That's the reason maybe that inning (the third) we kind of freaked out a little bit. They were just a little tight because they want to win so bad." In the loss, North Side outhit USJ 11-9 and committed two fewer errors. The Indians got runners on base, and had chances. Their best chance was in the third, when the bases-loaded double play ended the inning. Four singles in the fifth resulted in two runs and two runners left on base. North Side left two on base in the final inning. "I was glad to see how the kids battled the whole game," McCauley said. "That's what this team's made of. They've come back six or seven times this year and won it in the last inning. They know they've got that kind of capability."
 USJ pitcher Preston Overbey (17) delivers a pitch during a game against North Side on Friday in Brownsville
Thursday, April 2
Red Devils hold off USJ at USA Classic
Tuesday, March 24
Preston Overbey Selected Second Team All-American
Cedar Rapids, IA. (March 17, 2009) – Perfect Game USA announced today its Preseason All-American Teams to recognize the top underclass high school baseball athletes in the U.S., while also showcasing their abilities to collegiate and professional scouts.
Preston Overbey has been selected to the Perfect Game USA Preseason Underclassmen All-American High School Baseball Team. A total of 60 players from around the country were named to the team. You may view the entire team at www.PerfectGame.org or www.PGCrosschecker.com.
Wednesday, January 14
USJ’s Fesmire signs baseball scholarship with Union University
January 14, 2009 - Benji Fesmire of Jackson, Tenn., has signed to play his college baseball with the Bulldogs of Union University. After his graduation from the University School of Jackson in May, Fesmire will enter Union in the fall.
“I have grown up watching Union baseball and it has always been a dream of mine to play college baseball,” says Fesmire. “I am very excited about the opportunity to stay close to home and play for Union. I am looking forward to the next four years of playing baseball and getting a great education.”
Fesmire, at 6-foot 185 lbs., has been a starter for USJ since the eighth grade. He is the lone remaining member from USJ’s State Championship team from 2005. Fesmire was one of the top players for USJ as both a pitcher and middle infielder. He has been an All-State player for USJ Head Coach Brad Dyer. Dyer says of Fesmire, “He has the biggest heart and is the hardest worker of any player during his career. He will make a positive impact on Union’s team as a player and a person.”
Union Head Coach Brent Fronabarger believes this to be a great day for Union University. “To be able to add a player with Benji’s talent, in addition to his quality as a student is always a plus,” says Fronabarger. “We are excited to sign Benji. His ability to pitch and play a position at a high level is a great asset for our program.” Fronabarger adds, “He will come in and contribute as a freshman for our team.”
Fesmire joins current USJ teammate Jared Davis, who signed with Union back on December 10. Fesmire and Davis will also reunite with former USJ teammate Danny Grimm, who is a freshman this season at Union.
Fesmire is the son of Ben and Sherry Fesmire of Jackson. He is the grandson of Benny and Norma Fesmire, and Jimmy and Joann Breedlove
#UNION#
Saturday, January 10
Jackson Storm 18u Summer Schedule Set
The Jackson Storm will play in 5 B.E.S.T. Showcase Tournaments which host ...
Wednesday, December 10
USJ’s Davis signs baseball scholarship with Union University
December 10, 2008 - Jared Davis of the University School of Jackson has signed to play his college baseball for Union University. Davis will graduate from USJ in the spring and will join Union next fall.
Davis helped lead USJ to their eighth state tournament appearance last season. He posted an 8-1 record with a 1.18 ERA as a junior. Davis was named an All-West Tennessee performer. Last season, Davis was the player of the game in the region title game for USJ as he allowed just two hits and one run in six innings while striking out seven batters.
Davis will join Union’s pitching staff after his senior year at USJ in 2009. He will have the opportunity to contribute early in his career to the success of the Union program.
Brent Fronabarger, the head coach of the Union Bulldogs, is excited about the addition of Davis. “We have two senior pitchers this year that we will need to replace for the 2009-10 season. Being able to sign a quality pitcher in Jared this early is a plus for us. He has a lot of potential and will get quality innings as a freshman.”
Davis will reunite with fellow USJ teammate Danny Grimm who is a freshman on this year’s Union team.
Davis is the son of Mark and Lisa Davis.
Wednesday, October 15
2009 Schedule Released
USJ Releases 2009 Schedule
Wednesday, May 21
Spring Fling baseball: USJ opens with win against Gibbs
SMYRNA - For the third consecutive time, University School of Jackson beat ...
Saturday, May 17
USJ Faces Gibbs in First Round of State Tournament
USJ's eighth straight tournament appearance begins with Gibbs High School out of Knoxville. USJ faced Gibbs for three games in the 2007 State Tournament winning 2 out of 3 before advancing to the Championship game.
Tournament Brackets canbe found at this link.
Thursday, May 15
USJ scores early to pick up region title
University School of Jackson starting pitcher Jared Davis was perfect through ...
Wednesday, May 14
Gant, USJ too much for Trojans
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, April 21
Bruins Honor Seniors Gant and Grimm
The Bruins honored Seniors Clayton Gant (University of Tennessee Signee) and Danny Grimm (Union University Signee) Monday April 21, 2008 at Senior Night. More to follow.....
Friday, April 18
Bruins win big; Gant leaves with minor elbow pain
USJ's Benjie Fesmire (10) tags JCS' Cody Jones (21) out at second before attempting to turn a double play to John Willis (24) Thursday.
(AMANDA HERRON /The Jackson Sun)
The University School of Jackson baseball team got just what it was hoping for Thursday night: A 12-2, five-inning mercy-rule win over cross-town rival Jackson Christian School.
There were still struggles for the Bruins (20-3) in their win over JCS (15-9).
USJ star starter Clayton Gant (5-0) lasted only four innings before leaving with a minor elbow pain. He said he didn't have his best stuff, but it was still good enough to dominate the Eagles' hitters.
At one point in the game, he picked up five consecutive outs with strike outs, and JCS batters struggled to make contact.
"Pitching, you have your 'A' game maybe three times a year. You don't have your 'A' game all the time," Gant said. "You still got to pitch... I was mixing it up hitting spots, making sure I was keeping them off balanced."
Coach Brad Dyer said Gant will have a week before pitching next Friday against Christian Brothers.
Gant said he won't push it and will not pitch if his arm isn't ready.
"My elbow flared up on me from a few years back," said Gant, a Tennessee signee. "We'll live. We've got a good pitching staff. We've got plenty of guys."
Another issue: Twice, USJ ended innings and good scoring opportunities with ground-out double plays. Hitting with runners in scoring position has been a problem for parts of the season for the Bruins.
They were 3-for-10 Thursday, but still had plenty of offense.
"We hit the ball," Gant said. "It makes it a whole lot easier when you've got nine runs."
Kyle Bryan went 3-for-3 with three singles and two RBIs. Gant and Hunter Smith were 2-for-3.
"We did what we needed to do," Dyer said. "We've still got a lot to work on, but the guys came out tonight and swung their bats well."
JCS coach Chuck Cooper said his team also hit well, including Noah Chandler hitting a solid home run. The team had issues in other areas.
Cooper counted five fielding errors and added that falling behind on hitters will lead to trouble against a top team.
"It takes more than just being able to hit to beat good baseball teams," Cooper said. "We didn't make the routine plays."
- Matthew Borenstein, 425-9636
Sunday, April 13
USJ loses close one to Bartlett
 
The University School of Jackson baseball team has some things, albeit small, to work on after a 3-2 home loss to Class AAA defending state champion Bartlett (13-4).
First on the list - hitting with runners in scoring position. The Bruins (17-3) stranded 10 runners in seven innings, four in the final two innings, during a chilly afternoon game.
"We preach to do the little things all year," USJ coach Brad Dyer said. "If you do the little things, the big things will happen."
He mentioned working on bunts, baserunning and hitting behind runners.
"If we do that, we'll be OK."
USJ hit 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and those two hits came in the bottom of the first when the Bruins scored their only runs on a Benjie Fesmire single. Fesmire finished 2-for-4.
"Moving runners over, staying behind the ball, hitting behind the ball, hitting the ball where we're supposed to with runners in scoring position - that's what we need to work on," Fesmire said adding that Bartlett starting pitcher Daniel Wright mixed his fastball and change up well to throw off USJ hitters.
Wright (4-0) pitched out of jams in the sixth and seventh. The first two USJ batters (Fesmire and Union signee Danny Grimm) reached in the sixth and moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt. But they were stranded when Todd Bateman popped out to first and pinch hitter Walker McWherter grounded out.
That ended USJ's best chance to tie the game or go ahead.
USJ led early and starter Preston Overbey (5-1) was strong for much of the game.
He didn't give up a hit until the fourth when Dylon Murk homered to center.
"He put a good swing on it," Overbey said. "He just hit it good."
Another run scored when Heith Hatfield doubled off the wall in right center.
The winning run scored in the fifth with two outs after the inning was extended when Bartlett's Nick Elliott reached after striking out and the ball got away. After two hits, he scored.
Overbey, a sophomore, said he could have thrown a little bit better, getting ahead of more hitters.
USJ finished with eight hits and some things to fix. But the Bruins faced good competition.
"We got better today," Dyer said. "You can get better with a loss."
-Matthew Borenstein, 425-6936
Wednesday, March 26
WBFG 96.5 FM to Broadcast Bruin Home Games
WBFG FM 96.5 will broadcast at least all of the Bruin Home Games. Other games will also be added to the broadcast schedule. You can listen via the internet at www.965wbfg.com
Sunday, March 2
Bruins to Host 14 Games - First Week Scchedule
Monday March 10 4:00 USJ vs. Adamsville
6:00 Briarcrest vs. Adamsville
Tuesday March 11 4:00 USJ v. Dyer Co.
6:00 Dyer Co. v. Union City
8:00 Union City v. Adamsville
Wed. March 12 4:00 USJ v. Brighton
6:00 Briarcrest v. Brighton
Thurs. March 13 4:00 Gibson Co. v. Adamsville
6:00 Dyer Co. v. Brighton
Fri. March 14 4:00 Chester Co. v. Adamsville
6:00 Chester Co. v. Dyersburg
8:00 USJ v. Dyersburg
Sat. March 15 12:00 USJ v. Briarcrest
2:00 Dyer Co. v. Briarcrest
Sunday, March 2
 New Scoreboard Up
Tuesday, November 20
 Gant Signs with Vols
The University of Tennessee gave Clayton Gant a pitch he couldn't resist, and the University School of Jackson ...
Tuesday, October 30
USJ Baseball Purchases New Scoreboard
The Bruin baseball field will have a new 9 inning state of the art thirty-six foot scoreboard before ...
Sunday, October 21
Bruins Release 2008 Varsity Schedule
The Bruins released their 2008 Schedule.
USJ Bruins Baseball
Varsity Schedule 2008 ...
Friday, August 31
Gant to sign with UT Vols
University School of Jackson's Clayton Gant spent four years playing high school baseball ...
Saturday, August 4
Liles, Gant, and Fesmire Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class AA All-State Team
By JOSHUA PARROTT
jparrott@jacksonsun.com
Friday, May 25
Spring Fling Baseball: Gant leads USJ back to title game
SMYRNA - With his University School of Jackson baseball team facing elimination, Clayton Gant was sure not to disappoint.
The ...
Thursday, May 24
USJ coach Dyer not ready to celebrate
Even when no one could blame him for doing so, Brad Dyer refused to show relief, enjoy the moment or even take ...
Thursday, May 24
USJ comfortably staves off elimination
SMYRNA - University School of Jackson's bats heated up just in time for the Bruins to stave off elimination Wednesday ...
Wednesday, May 23
Round 1 - USJ 4, Marshall Co 2
Saturday, May 19
USJ gets seventh straight tourney trip - 9th Appearance
They knew it wouldn't be much of a game.
But Benjie Fesmire and University School of Jackson came away respecting ...
Thursday, May 17
USJ shuts out Dyer County for Region Championship
NEWBERN - Freshman Preston Overbey pitched a no-hit shutout to carry University School of Jackson past Dyer County, ...
Tuesday, May 15
Bruins Win 14 - 4 Over Dyersburg in Region
Wednesday, May 2
USJ brings home 14-AA crown /
By DAVID THOMAS
dgthomas@jacksonsun.com
In another rematch of last year's Class AA state title baseball ...
Sunday, May 13
Bruins Make All-District Team and All Tournament Team /
Congratulations to Josh Liles for being selected District 14-AA All District MVP amd to John Wills for being selected ...
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