Author's posts
05/28/15
Birthdays:
Tracy Bailey – Pizza Winner!
Anniversaries: Billy & Jodi Levengood – 9th
05/27/15
Birthdays:
Brenda Tomberlin – Pizza Winner!
Melissa Warren – 30, Nell Roberts – 52, Austin Payne
Anniversaries: Paul & Jean Weldman – 37th!
Coffee County Baseball Gets Summer League Sweep on Friday NIght
New CHS baseball coach David Martin(right) discusses fielding mechanics with Noah Anderson(left) on Friday Night at Powers Field. Looking on in the background is coach Jeff Hinshaw(left) and Alan Rob(right)
With new head coach David Martin watching, the Coffee County CHS summer league baseball team got a pair of victories on Friday night at Powers Field.
In game #1 the Raiders got a 6 inning, 2 hitter from Jacob Langham as they dropped Grundy County 8 to 0. The Raiders broke open a scoreless game in the 4th inning with a 3 run rally with 2 outs. The Raiders got the benefit of 4 unearned runs in the 6th inning to close out the time limit game. Nathaniel Tate and Alan Rob were each 2 for 2 with a walk and an RBI a piece. Zach Wise was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI as Coffee County banged out 9 hits.
After a rocky start in Game #2, A.J. Rollman settled down on the mound to earn the victory for Coffee County. Rollman, who gave up 3 hits in the first, held Central Magnet to 1 hit in the next 4 innings to lead Coffee County to the 10 to 2 win. Deandre Wakefield came on in relief in the 5th inning to earn the save. Nathaniel Tate was the hitting star for the Raiders as he was 3 for 3 with a pair of RBI.
Pitching Shines As Sounds Win Opener
In a game that had just seven hits, Nashville walked away with the series opener against Las Vegas on Friday night at First Tennessee Park, 2-1.
Combining yesterday’s 3-2 victory with tonight’s win marked the first time the Sounds won back-to-back one-run games this season. Nashville moved to 7-10 in one-run affairs and got their 10th win at home.
Nashville’s three hits were a season-low, but the home team got on the scoreboard first with a run in the second inning. With two away, Nate Freiman was hit by a pitch, Bryan Anderson walked and Niuman Romero singled. Anthony Aliotti, who was 8-for-16 during the series in Sacramento, drew a bases loaded walk. Nashville would leave the bags packed to end the frame, but claimed the 1-0 lead.
They carried the momentum to the third and Joey Wendle showed off his speed and aggressiveness. The second baseman singled on a bunt to the left side to start the inning and moved to second after a wild pitch. He proceeded to tag up on a deep fly to left field, barely beating the ball to third base with a late slide. Jason Pridie followed with a sacrifice fly to left, his team-leading 30th RBI of the year, to back starter Chris Bassitt with a 2-0 advantage.
Bassitt had his best stuff in the series opener and was able to notch his second win of the season. While the right-hander struggled with finding his breaking ball early, he located the fastball with ease and ended the night with four strikeouts. The 26-year old finished his night by delivering 5.2 innings with four hits, one run and no walks.
He left with runners at the corners and two away in the sixth, as Jim Fuller entered in relief. The lefty specialist threw just four pitches and concluded the frame with a strikeout. The hurler has started the first Triple-A stint of his career with scoreless outings in nine of his 10 games.
Brock Huntzinger fanned four of his six batters over two scoreless frames. R.J. Alvarez then entered in the ninth and recorded his second save of the year. Nashville’s team ERA dropped to 3.14 in May, while Bassitt’s win improved the starter’s record to 10-8 during the month.
The series continues Saturday night with a 6:35 p.m. contest. The second game of the set will feature a battle of the lefties, as Sean Nolin (0-0, 0.71) and Duane Below will compete at First Tennessee Park.
5/31/15 — CLIFFORD ALLEN MCBEE
CLIFFORD ALLEN MCBEE, age 72, of Winchester, Tenn., departed this life Thursday, May 28, 2015 at his residence.
He was born on January 7, 1943 in Cowan, Tenn. to the late Joe and Tootsie (Vaughan) McBee.
Mr. McBee attended Homeland Baptist Church in Tullahoma, TN. He was an original member of the Tim’s Ford Bass Club and also served as treasurer.
Mr. McBee is survived by his loving wife, Jenny McBee of Winchester, daughters; Pam Emmons and her husband, Mark of Paducah, KY, Tia Watson of Winchester, son, Cliff McBee and his wife JoJo of Lynchburg, TN, grandchildren; Justin, Jonathan and Margaret Emmons of Paducah, KY, Jessica and Madison McBee of South Carolina, Andie Jane Mcbee of Winchester, “Little Buddy” Jonah Watson of Winchester, sister; Debbie Luttrell and her husband, Tommy of Winchester, brothers; David McBee and his wife, Ruth of Cowan, Kevin McBee of Clarksville, TN, and Ricky McBee of Salter, SC.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 30, 2015, from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Grant Funeral Services.
Services will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. from the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Bro. Jimmy Brazier, officiating.
Interment will follow at Cowan Montgomery Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Tim’s Ford Bass Club, P.O. Box 147, Winchester, Tenn. 37398 or the American Cancer Society.
Grant Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.
Late Comeback Gives Nashville The Sweep
Brad Mills pitched brilliantly and Jason Pridie smoked a two-run triple in the eighth inning to propel the Sounds over Sacramento and secure the sweep against the River Cats with a 3-2 win at Raley Field on Thursday afternoon.
The four-game series sweep was Nashville’s first since June 9-12, 2014, when the Sounds swept Reno at Greer Stadium. It was also the first time the Sounds have swept the River Cats since the two teams began playing in 2000. The win propelled Nashville to a four-game winning streak, their best mark this season.
The three-run eighth inning began slowly as Nashville started the frame with a groundout, hit by pitch and fielder’s choice. But with two away, the Sounds made their push towards a huge rally. Joey Wendle singled which put Craig Gentry on third base. With runners at the corners, Ryan Roberts stayed perfect at the plate with his fourth single of the game. Gentry scored and Wendle moved to third on the line drive to center. Pridie then stepped in and on a full-count pitch, grounded a ball into the right field corner that went for a two-run triple. The deficit was quickly erased and Nashville held onto the 3-2 lead.
The Sounds were 1-21 when trailing after seven innings, but the three-run eighth was enough to break the chain. The one-run victory improved Nashville’s record to 6-10 in those games, as the Sounds moved to 20-27 overall on the season.
The Grizzlies took a quick 2-0 lead with a pair of solo home runs. Jarrett Parker led off the second with a homer and John Bowker started the third with a blast. The two home runs matched a season-high allowed by Sounds’ starter Brad Mills.
Mills kept his pitch count down through the early portions of the contest and got help by inducing his team-leading 10th groundball double play. The left-hander tossed 7.0 innings for the third consecutive start and pushed his quality start streak to five games by allowing just two runs. He gave up a walk and added a strikeout with his 80 pitches.
Pat Venditte notched a strikeout during a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Angel Castro, making his first appearance since a stint with Oakland, slammed the door to record his first save of the year.
Roberts led the offensive assault and had four of Nashville’s 10 hits in the victory. Anthony Aliotti collected two hits and was 8-for-16 with three doubles and five RBIs in the series at Raley Field.
The Sounds returns to Music City on Friday to face the Las Vegas 51s at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Chris Bassitt (1-3, 4.45) will go against Darin Gorski in the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
5/28/15 —- JOSEPHINE MCGRIFF NEWMAN
JOSEPHINE MCGRIFF NEWMAN, age 85, of Decherd, Tenn., departed this life peacefully at her residence.
She was born on October 31, 1929 in Akron, Ohio to the late Jefferson and Minerva (Hill) McGriff.
Ms. Newman was of the Catholic faith. She loved to sew and attend family events. 
In addition to her parents, Ms. Newman was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Newman and brother, Jay McGriff.
She is survived by her sons; Steve Newman of Decherd, Tenn., Gary Ringler of Hartville, Ohio, granddaughter, Michelle Henry and her husband, Rich of Massilon, Ohio, grandson, Gary Lee Ringler and his wife, Rachael of Lake St. Mary, FL, special cousin, Martha McGriff Davis of Winchester, Tenn., and her beloved Pekingese, Angel.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Grant Funeral Services in charge of the arrangements.
5/30/15 —- JAMES HARRISON “JIM” CROW
JAMES HARRISON “JIM” CROW, age 77, of Winchester, departed this life Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville, Tenn.
He was born on December 31, 1937 in Chattanooga, Tenn., to the late Jack and Allien (Potts) Crow.
Mr. Crow was an avid fisherman and loved the Lady Vol’s, FCHS football and college football. He was a mason at Winchester Lodge #158 and a member of the bass club. Most importantly, he was a loving father and grandfather.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Pat Crow.
Mr. Crow is survived by his daughter, Julie Crow of Winchester, Tenn., brother, Phil Crow and his wife, Judy of Winchester, Tenn., 2 grandchildren; Gavin Blair and Nikoma Coker.
Visitation will be Friday, May 29, 2015 from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Grant Funeral Services.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. from the chapel of Grant Funeral Services with Ministers Fay and Bratton Tucker, officiating.
Interment will follow at Franklin Memorial Gardens in Winchester.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, Tenn. 38101-9908.
Grant Funeral Services in charge of arrangements.
6/2/15 —- Tommy Joe Bell
Mr. Tommy Joe Bell, age 74 of Estill Springs passed this life on Friday, May 22, 2015 at Erlanger Hospital.
Memorial Services will be held Tuesday, June 2 at 6 PM at the Church of Christ at Cedar Lane, 1200 Cedar Lane, Tullahoma, TN.
Visitation with the family will be Tuesday from 5 PM until the service time.
Mr. Bell, a native of Tullahoma, was the son of the late Thornton and Maudie Tatum Bell.
Mr. Bell worked as an appliance service tech. Mr. Bell enjoyed working on cars, collecting things and “tinkering”. He also enjoyed fishing and taking pictures.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Allis Bell.
He is survived by two daughters, Tina Bell of Bowling Green and Mary Bell of Estill Springs; one brother, Thornton Bell and his wife, Velma of Tullahoma; one grandson, Ashton Lucas Bell and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Bible League International (Bibles for Africa), 1 Bible League Plaza, Crete, IL 60417.
DAVES-CULBERSTON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS
CHS Tabs David Martin as New Head Baseball Coach
New CHS baseball coach tries on a new hat at Powers Field on Thursday. (Photo by Ryan Sulkowski)
The hunt for a new baseball coach for Coffee County Central High School has come to a close as David Martin has been tabbed to head the program. Martin, who served as an assistant coach at Warren County High School this past season, was the head coach at Warren County Middle School for 4 seasons prior to that. During the time, he won 1 regular season championship and 1 conference tournament championship. Martin, who grew up in McMinnville, played college baseball at Motlow State Community College and Jackson State Community College before finishing his college career at Middle Tennessee State University.
“I am very excited” said Martin when reached by Thunder Radio on Thursday afternoon. “I grew up competing against this program (at Warren County) and I am honored to get a chance to join this program. “ he added. Martin went on to describe his self as an “old school coach who learned a lot of baseball lessons from my grandfather (Hall of Fame coach Jack Martin)” Martin added that he “wants to bring stability to this program and to these kids.”
CHS athletic director Ryan Sulkowski said that Martin “is a young, energetic up and coming coach. He has a strong baseball background and is passionate about the kids.” In the interview process, Coach Sulkowski said that they reached out to his previous principal “and we received rave reviews about his performance in the classroom” added Sulkowski. He went on to say; “He will bring a spark to this program. He is a great fit for our kids, our school, our community and the athletic department here at Coffee County.”
CHS principal Dr. Joey Vaughn was complimentary of Martin. “We had some outstanding applicants for this position. Coach Martin will bring a passion for baseball and a work ethic that will take this program in the right direction.” Vaughn added “I look forward to him meeting the team, the parents and the community and I feel he will quickly earn their respect.”
Martin takes over the program from interim head coach Jon Spears who replaced suspended Coach Brad Weir in February. Spears, who also interviewed for the head coaches job, thanked the administration. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve as interim coach and I am glad I was able to step in and help out.” Spears has also agreed to stay on as an assistant coach under Martin.
Coach Martin will get to see a few of his future players this weekend as Coffee County will take part in the Tullahoma 17U tournament. The Red Raiders play at 7:30 tonight at Tullahoma and will host a pair of games on Friday at Powers Field. Friday’s games will be at 4:30 and 8:30 against Grundy County and Central Magnet. Coach Martin will be made available for a community “Meet and Greet” on Friday afternoon at Powers Field from 3:30 to 4:30 prior to the first game.