They knew it wouldn't be much of a game.
But Benjie Fesmire and University School of Jackson came away respecting Memphis Westwood's heart after the Bruins won, 17-0, in five innings Friday at USJ.
   
For the record, it is USJ's seventh consecutive sectional victory and trip to the state baseball tournament. Runner-up to Covington last year, the Bruins (37-5) begin their Class AA title search at 4 p.m. on Tuesday against Marshall County (28-12) at Smyrna High School near Murfreesboro. Marshall County eliminated Bolivar, 1-0, in nine innings on Friday.

Fesmire, a sophomore right-hander, pitched a one-hit shutout, striking out 10 with no walks. A perfect game was within reach until Fesmire (10-0) left a fastball over the middle of the plate in the top of the fifth inning, and Dominique Shaw gave it a ride to right centerfield for Westwood's lone hit. USJ reserve centerfielder Simon Arcuri almost ran it down, but the ball glanced off the top of his glove.
"I didn't hit my spot," Fesmire said, grinning. "It was supposed to be on the outside, but I threw it down the middle, and he hit it hard. The first thing I thought was, 'Simon, please catch it.' And he almost did.

"I would have liked to have a no-hitter, but you keep on going. That's not the worst thing that could happen."

Westwood pitcher Desmond Dixon would agree. The senior collided with USJ's Josh Liles on the first-base line while trying to catch a popup in the first inning. Liles knocked him to the ground, and Dixon bit his tongue almost through. Liles was ruled out, and Dixon had to go to the dugout. But he returned in the second inning and finished pitching the game with his tongue wrapped in gauze.

"That shows how much heart he has," Fesmire said of Dixon. "I applaud him for getting back out there."

Dixon couldn't talk afterward because of a swollen tongue, but Westwood coach Antonio Avant spoke for him.

"Desmond is a real trooper to come in like that and tough it out," Avant said. "I'm so proud of these guys. It's the first time in 30 years that the school has gotten to the sectional."

Westwood completed a 17-7 season against a USJ team that punished Dixon. The Bruins had only eight hits, but Westwood hit seven Bruin batters and walked eight.

USJ scored 10 runs in the first inning. Preston Overbey had an RBI double; Jon Wills hit an RBI single and a two-run double; Will Glenn had a two-run double to the left-centerfield wall; and Fesmire had a two-run triple to left-center.

The Bruins scored six runs in the fourth, sparked by a two-run double by Nathan Bell. USJ reserves entered the game in the third inning, and most of the Bruins' roster got a chance to bat.

"We just wanted to stay focused, no matter who we were playing," said Glenn, a senior left fielder. "We'll keep trying to improve every game."

That's what USJ coach Brad Dyer likes to hear, especially with the state tournament on the horizon.

"The hay's in the barn now," Dyer said with a smile. "You're either ready to go or not. I think we're ready."

By DAN MORRIS
dmorris@jacksonsun.com