East Ridge could only muster two hits Monday afternoon in its Region 3 A/AA semifinal baseball game, falling to Sequoyah, 8-3.

Pioneer Coach Randall Boldin said he was proud of his team’s effort against Sequoyah, a club that he said “might have been the best team we’ve played all year.” He said despite having its best pitcher on the mound _ Gavin Rienichie _ Sequoyah “hit really well, pitched good and played good defense.”

Coach Boldin said East Ridge (9-13)  scored all three of its runs as a result of Sequoyah errors. 

Coach Boldin said the East Ridge baseball team ended the final week of the regular season with a “bad week.” However, all the hard work that the squad had put in over the past two seasons seemed to sink in during the District 6 A/AA Tournament where the Pioneers finished runners-up and advanced to region play for the first time since the 1990s.

Coach Boldin said he is encouraging the members of his team to play “travel ball” this summer in preparation for next season. However, he said he is leaving East Ridge High School to take a job in his hometown, Whitwell, Tenn. In Whitwell, he will also be reunited with Tracy Malone, the Tigers’ new head football coach. Boldin will assume the job of coaching defensive backs.

Coach Boldin said the decision to leave East Ridge was made last month, and he had informed the team of his decision prior to the playoffs.

Coach Boldin said he is meeting this week with the prospective new East Ridge baseball coach to help familiarize the candidate with coaching responsibilities.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here,” Boldin said. “