Baseball: Gregg Delivers For Farmington

SPRINGDALE -- Tyler Gregg has already had a career filled with big moments as a high school baseball player.

And he's just 15 years old.

On the biggest stage this spring, the Farmington freshman proved age is just a number. In the 4A-North Regional Tournament, his solo home run broke a 2-2 tie with Booneville and helped the Cardinals to a 5-2 victory that earned Farmington a berth in the Class 4A state tournament.

In the state tournament at Nashville, the Cardinals were in a 1-1 deadlock with the host team when Gregg stepped to the plate again. He delivered a walk-off RBI single as the Cardinals claimed a 2-1 victory.

"Tyler is a player that has done that all his life," said Farmington coach Jay Harper. "We felt comfortable with him from day one, from the first day he walked into practice. The first time we saw him, we knew he was something special."

Gregg said he expected to be used primarily as a pitcher this season, but his hitting ultimately kept him on the field at a variety of positions.

He batted .400 with 30 hits. 12 doubles, 20 RBIs and 2 home runs. Those numbers earned Gregg the All-NWA Media Newcomer of the Year honor for schools in Class 5A and Below.

"I was nervous my first game," Gregg admitted. "I didn't know what to expect. But I was ready for it. I've played a lot of competitive ball in the summer against some good teams, so when I got to high school, I was ready."

Gregg said only one pitcher he faced this season overpowered him.

"Ty Tice did," Gregg said. "But he's a different story."

While Gregg's hitting in the clutch was memorable, he also had his big moments on the hill, especially against Pottsville in the regional tournament, where he struck out 10 batters in a 4-0 win that send the Cardinals to the regional championship game.

On the season, Gregg was 3-1 with a 1.20 ERA. He had 30 strikeouts with only five walks, showing remarkable control with a fastball that sat at 81-83 and a knee-buckling curveball.

The Cardinals are moving up in classification next season to the 5A-West Conference, and Gregg's role will also increase said Harper.

"He'll be one of our top two pitchers next season," Harper said. "He will fit right onto that role. He will also move into an infield role, probably at shortstop for us."

Gregg said the senior players on this year's team welcomed his contribution to the team.

"The older guys did a good job of accepting me," he said. "They were always right there with me."

Harper said the Farmington team did not focus on Gregg's age. The only number they worried about was the final score.

"Our kids just want to win," Harper said. "They don't care who's playing, they want they players on the field that give us the best chance to win."

Gregg proved time and again that even as a freshman, he was able to deliver for the Cardinals.