Home run surge puts Farragut's Bennett into national record book

By Kevin Askeland Apr 30, 2010, 12:00am

Tennessee commit hits a home run in 10 consecutive games for the Admirals, takes over national high school baseball home run lead.

A 10-game power surge has put Farragut's (Knoxville, Tenn.) Ethan Bennett into the national record book.

In the past 10 games for the Admirals, the senior catcher has belted a home run in each game, a total of 16 home runs over that span, to reportedly set a national record for consecutive games with a home run.
Ethan Bennett in the record books.
Ethan Bennett in the record books.
Photo by Randy Sartin

According to the 2010 National Federation of High Schools Record Book, four players were tied with nine consecutive games with a home run. They included Michael Gray, Bridgeport Red Hill, Ill., (2001), Neil Thompson, Thomasville East Davidson, N.C., (1999), Andy Wakefield, Beckley Woodrow Wilson, W.V., (1977), and Jon Coffman, Vincent Warren, Ohio (1996-97).

Bennett had two home runs against William Blount on Monday to tie the record at nine games in a row. He added another home run against Catholic on Tuesday to up the streak to 10 games.

The strong start to the week also moved Bennett into the national home run lead, passing
Hunter Renfroe of Copiah Academy (Gallman, Miss.). Earlier this year, Renfroe had a streak of eight straight games with a home run. Renfroe’s latest reported home run total stands at 20 while Bennett had 22 as of Tuesday.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Bennett broke the school record for home runs in a season. The previous record was reportedly held by Michael McKenry (2001) and Davis Burklin (2000) with 18 each. The Tennessee state record is 24 home runs, set by Anthony Whitson of Unicoi County in 1987, according to the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association.

The National Federation lists the national record for home runs in a season as 30 by Wade Miller of Skipperville G.W. Long, Ala., set in 2000.



The Admirals, 29-4 after the win over Catholic, have one game remaining on the schedule against William Blount (results of games against West on April 28 and OakRidge on April 29 not available). Farragut, the two-time defending AAA state champion, will begin district tournament play on May 7.