JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — When the thought of a trip to Murfreesboro comes knocking, it reignites a sense of urgency and an intentional focus.

For Science Hill Hilltoppers baseball, they have embraced the challenge by understanding how they are so close – but yet so far away – from punching their ticket back to state.

The Toppers still need to get through region tournament play, which they host starting Friday evening – needing two wins to reach the Sectional series next week.

It’s been four long years since the Toppers got a shot to play for a state title – and this group in 2025 is chomping at the bit.

They’re learning as we go, but they’re just locked in on getting better every day,” said head coach, Ryan Edwards. “Their effort has been phenomenal.

The most impressive part of the group has been their ability to overcome a tough schedule – working through the adversity as a rather young baseball team. With only two lone seniors, Sam Lane and Lucas Dye, the Toppers have had people step up from all over the roster in many positions.

But right now, the most important thing is to finish what they started and make their way back to state.

A lot of people counting on me and counting on the team. Feels good to be playing for something special,” said Dye. “About three-fourths of the way through the season we really found out who we were as a team and we took off with that. I think we’re definitely a better team and we’re ready for May.We’ve been there a few times and all I want to do is go to Murfreesboro. That’s all I want,” said Lane. “That’s all I’ve wanted to do was go to state and that’s what we’re looking to do this season. It would mean the world to me. We gotta stay ready to go at all times.

The Toppers host the Region Tournament with Jefferson County, Morristown West and Dobyns-Bennett – with the region champ being crowned by Saturday afternoon.

There’s a lot of baseball left. We didn’t think about anything when we went on the state championship run in 2021. We just thought about ‘how do we win this next game?’ And that’s what we’re thinking about right now,” said Edwards. “We have our eyes focused on Jefferson County and that’s it. Then we’ll go from there.

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