John Reese Gilmer (Photo compliments of MotlowSports.com)

Motlow State Community College student athletes posted another strong performance in the classroom during the 2015-16 year, led by a pair of baseball players who were recently honored by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Sophomore John Reese Gilmer, who played at Coffee County Central High School in Manchester and transferred to Motlow following his freshman season at Tennessee Temple University, earned the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award from the NJCAA, recognizing those who post a grade point average between 3.60 – 3.79.

Classmate Charter Helton earned the Superior Academic Achievement Award, which goes to student-athletes who post a grade point average between 3.80 – 3.99. Helton played his high school baseball at Lewis County in Hohenwald. He was injured for much of the season and received a medical hardship, giving him an additional season of eligibility.

Motlow’s softball team led the school’s four athletic programs in overall classroom performance, posting a team GPA of 3.0. Overall, 66 percent of Motlow’s sophomore student athletes graduated in May, with multiple others scheduled to complete their associate degree in August.

Visit the official website of Motlow Athletics at for rosters, schedules, stats and more. Interact with Motlow Athletics at <Facebook/MotlowSports> and <Twitter@MotlowSports>.

The first-place Nashville Sounds begin a nine-day, eight-game homestand on Saturday, June 25 when they welcome two American Northern Division opponents to First Tennessee Park.

The first series is a four-game set against the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

Following a team off day on Wednesday, June 29, the Sounds host the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers from June 30-July 3.

Below is a preview for each game of the homestand:

Saturday, June 25 vs. Omaha – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• It’s Star Wars Night at First Tennessee Park. Dress up in Star Wars gear and may the force be with you! Fans will have the opportunity to meet and greet various Star Wars characters throughout the night.
• Shoe-Bacca Shoe Drive – Fans who donated a pair of shoes to Soles-4-Souls will be entered into a drawing to win a club suite to the Sounds’ August 29 games against Iowa.

Sunday, June 26 vs. Omaha – 6:35 p.m.
• Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
• Faith Night – The first 2,000 fans at First Tennessee Park receive a purple Faith Night T-shirt presented by Trevecca Nazarene University.
• Pre-game concert in the Fun Zone by Audio Adrenaline and Awaken presented by Trevecca Nazarene University and 94 FM The Fish.
• Pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players 5:30-5:45.
• Military Sunday presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, Tennessee 811 and WSMV Channel 4 – the Sounds will wear camouflage jerseys to honor active/veteran military men, women & families.
• Post-game Kids Run the Bases (12 & under) presented by First Tennessee.

Monday, June 27 vs. Omaha – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Major League Monday Oakland A’s themed sunglasses giveaway presented by Family Leisure and 650 AM WSM (First 2,000 Fans).
• Kroger Plus Monday – Buy a “Family 4-Pack” that includes 4 Select section tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 fountain sodas for $44. This offer is only available at participating Ticketmaster locations inside Kroger stores and is not available at First Tennessee Park.

Tuesday, June 28 vs. Omaha – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• “Live from Nashville, it’s Tuesday Night” presented by The Tennessean and First Tennessee – Don’t miss the XPOGO stunt team as they perform their high-flying act pre-game and during the game.

Thursday, June 30 vs. Oklahoma City – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Throwback Thursday presented by iHeartMedia – the Sounds will wear throwback jerseys to commemorate the team’s original uniform style from 1978. Fans can purchase Coca-Cola fountain soda, domestic draft beers and 12oz. cans for $2 each. Bud and Bud Light 16oz. cans and import and craft draft beer can be purchased for $3 each.

Friday, July 1 vs. Oklahoma City – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• FOX17 post-game fireworks presented by Koorsen Fire & Security.

Saturday, July 2 vs. Oklahoma City – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 3 vs. Oklahoma City – 6:35 p.m.
• Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Post-game Independence Day Fireworks Celebration presented by Nashville International Airport.
• Pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players 5:30-5:45.
• Military Sunday presented by Piedmont Natural Gas, Tennessee 811 and WSMV Channel 4 – the Sounds will wear camouflage jerseys to honor active/veteran military men, women & families.
• Post-fireworks Kids Run the Bases (12 & under) presented by First Tennessee.

The 2016 season is the Sounds’ 19th year in the Pacific Coast League and their second as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

The Braves continued both their mastery of the Mets and their overall surge on Thursday, coming from behind to nab a 4-3 win over New York at Turner Field.

Adonis Garcia hit a go-ahead two-run homer off Addison Reed in the eighth inning, giving the Braves their first lead of the night. Atlanta nearly knotted the score an inning earlier, but Michael Conforto turned a potential game-tying sacrifice fly into an inning-ending double play, which resulted in Braves interim manager Brian Snitker’s ejection after he lost a challenge.
“These guys — I’ve said it ever since I’ve been here — there’s just no quit in them,” Snitker said. “They just keep working, keep grinding, keep playing and picking each other up. It’s nice when they’re rewarded like that.”
Braves starter Matt Wisler submitted a quality start, giving up three runs over 6 2/3 innings. Because his counterpart, Matt Harvey, allowed only two runs in six innings, Wisler was on the hook for a loss until Garcia bailed him out with his homer.
The win was Atlanta’s fourth straight over the Mets, after sweeping them at Citi Field last weekend. And it was their seventh win in eight games overall, bedeviling a Mets team that took 11 of 19 from their division rivals last year.
“They’re playing good right now,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “They’re playing very, very good. I know they won six in a row. We’re having a tough time getting them out.”
With a runner on and his team trailing, 3-2, in the eighth, Garcia blasted an 0-2 pitch over the left-field wall to give the Braves a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The homer was his third in his past 36 at-bats. The 31-year-old has hit 14 home runs in his career, and nine of those have either tied the game or given the Braves a lead.
“I’ve had some good luck, and I feel like a majority of them have seemed to come here at Turner Field,” Garcia said through a translator. “So that always feels good to be able to do that at home. I’m just grateful for the opportunities, and I’m grateful those times have worked out and those home runs were able to give the team the lead.”
Three innings after Conforto banged his knee against the left-field wall, ripping a hole in the padding and limping off the field, he found himself back in nearly the same spot. With men on second and third, Ender Inciarte lifted what seemed destined to be a game-tying sacrifice fly down the line. But Conforto caught the ball in foul ground, gathered himself and fired home, where his throw gave Travis d’Arnaud just enough time to slap a tag on Emilio Bonifacio.
Snitker challenged the inning-ending double play, but a review confirmed not only that d’Arnaud’s tag beat Bonifacio to the plate, but also that he left a proper lane for the Braves outfielder to slide. The final ruling brought Snitker flying out to the field, where he was promptly ejected.
“I just tried to make sure I caught it, and then apply a tag,” d’Arnaud said. “I just didn’t think there was enough evidence to overturn it if he was safe.”
Entering Thursday, A.J. Pierzynski was batting .143 (6-for-42) in his past 16 games and hadn’t recorded an extra-base hit since May 20. The 39-year-old served as the Braves’ offensive catalyst early, driving in the team’s first run in the fourth and cutting the deficit to one with an RBI double in the sixth. He now has 900 RBIs and 398 doubles in his career.
“He swung the bat really well tonight,” said Snitker. “He got one of the big hits in the ninth inning yesterday to bring the tying run to the plate. He’s been swinging the bat better, which is great. We’re going to need him. He’s been working at it, too, so it’s good to see him swinging the bat like that.”
The Mets’ offensive attack came from a pair of players aching to make contributions. Filling in for injured center fielder Yoenis Cespedes, Alejandro De Aza put the Mets on the board with an RBI double in the second inning, snapping an 0-for-20 skid at the plate. Three innings later, Neil Walker cracked an 0-for-15 slide with a run-scoring single. Walker reached base safely three times, also plating a run with a sacrifice fly in the third.
Aaron Blair will take the mound for Atlanta in the second game of this four-game series. The right-hander is still looking for his first career win in what will be his 11th start. He showed better command in his outing against the Mets on Saturday, issuing just one walk, but has given up 18 free passes at home this year.  Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast beginning at 6 PM on Friday as part of the Atlanta Braves Radio Network.

The Nashville Sounds split their doubleheader with the Iowa Cubs losing 3-0 in game one and taking game two 7-4 Thursday night at Principal Park.
The Sounds took the early 1-0 lead in game two when Joey Wendle batted home Matt Olson on a RBI fielder’s choice in the second inning. The Sounds then plated four runs in the third, highlighted by a bases clearing three-run double from Matt McBride to put the Sounds up 4-0. Wendle then singled up the middle to score McBride from second to put the Sounds up 5-0.
Iowa bounced back scoring two runs in the bottom half of the third. Vimael Machin singled to lead off the inning for the Cubs and was followed by John Andreoli who hit a double to center. With runners at second and third, Juan Perez hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Machin from third. Mark Zagunis then grounded out to second and Andreoli came in to score to shrink the Sounds lead to 5-2.
The Cubs inched closer as they pushed a run across in the bottom of the fourth inning. David Freitas hit a sacrifice fly to left field by scoring Matt Murton to draw the Cubs within two, 5-3.
Nashville added a pair in the fifth to extend their lead to 7-3. Renato Nunez singled to left to lead off the inning for the Sounds and was followed by walks to Ryon Healy, and McBride. Wendle then walked with the bases loaded to allow scoring Nunez to put the Sounds up 6-3. Tyler Ladendorf then hit an infield single to score Healy from third, and the Sounds led 7-3.
Iowa picked up a run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Frietas singled to left to score Murton to bring the Cubs within three, as they trailed 7-4 after six.
Tucker Healy came on in the seventh inning to get the final three outs and preserve the 7-4 win while picking up his fifth save as a Sound. Aaron Kurcz who came in for the injured Eduard Santos in the second inning picked up his fourth win as a Sound.
Iowa took game one as they shutout the Sounds 3-0.
The Cubs took a 1-0 lead in game one of the doubleheader in the bottom of the fourth inning. Mark Zegunis doubled to left field to lead off the inning for the I-Cubs. Matt Murton then walked to batters later to have runners at the corners for Jeimer Candelario. Candelario then singled to right to score Zegunis as the Cubs took the lead.
Nashville had an opportunity late to tie or take the lead but left the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, however, Cubs reliever Miguel Mejia struck out Matt Olson and Matt McBride to end the Sounds threat.
Iowa added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth of game one to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead. Dan Vogelbach walked to lead off the inning for the I-Cubs and Murton followed with a single to left. Juan Perez then doubled to left to score Kristopher Negron who pinch ran for Vogelbach to put Iowa up 2-0. Sounds reliever Patrick Schuster inherited a bases loaded situation from starter Chris Smith who went 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on 8 hits. Schuster was able to get Munenori Kawasaki to ground into a fielder’s choice. Schuster then walked Andreoli with the bases loaded to make the score 3-0.
The series concludes Friday night from Principal Park as the Sounds will send right-hander Jesse Hahn (1-3, 3.55) and the Cubs will counter with right-hander Drew Rucinski (4-6, 5.84). First pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. CST.