Bolu Akinyode of Nashville SC

Three points earned at the death. On the last meaningful kick of Nashville SC’s match against Charleston Battery, midfielder Bolu Akinyode scored from the top of the box to seal a dramatic 2-1 Nashville comeback victory over Charleston Battery on Saturday night at First Tennessee Park. It was Akinyode’s first goal of the season and the first match stoppage time winner for Nashville SC in 2019.

From start to finish, Nashville SC dominated the match, controlling the run of play and peppering the Charleston net with shots. However, it was Charleston who scored first late in the first half. Battery midfielder Kotaro Higashi split the NSC defense and slotted past Nashville keeper Matt Pickens to put Charleston ahead.

The second half was all Nashville SC as Ropapa Mensah broke the seal in the 56’ minute to equalize the match. It appeared that Lebo Moloto had produced the match winner for Nashville in the 90’ minute when he rounded the keeper and scored, but a controversial offside call nullified the goal. NSC didn’t give up, however, and found the winner anyway off the foot of Akinyode.

The towering midfielder took a pass from defender Ken Tribbett and spun around while juggling the ball near the top of the box. Akinyode fired a shot on target that deflected off a defender and looped into the open net to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Here are three takeaways from the thrilling victory.

1) Akinyode Knows The Drama

Bolu Akinyode has scored two goals in his Nashville SC career and both have been dramatic stoppage time goals from nearly the same spot on the First Tennessee Park field. In the final regular season match in 2018, Akinyode scored an equalizer against FC Cincinnati to seal a draw and send Nashville SC to the USL Championship Playoffs. His second in gold might have been even more dramatic for the Nigerian as Akinyode earned three deserved points for Nashville SC.

2) Comeback Kids

After not recording a single come from behind victory in the 2018 season, Nashville SC has earned three in the last three months. Following come from behind victories at Bethlehem Steel FC and at Hartford Athletic in June, Nashville SC again showed his resolve and resilience in battling back. While Nashville had the majority of chances and shots, it needed every ounce of heart on Saturday night in its second half comeback. Nashville has outscored its opponents 30-14 in the second half this season.

3) Back into Third Place

Not only was the win an exciting moment for everyone at First Tennessee Park on Saturday night, it was important in the Eastern Conference standings. Nashville SC hopped back into third place following the victory, just one point behind the Tampa Bay Rowdies who sit in second place. Nashville SC can move up further next weekend when it travels to Tampa Bay next Saturday to take on the Rowdies.

Up Next

As mentioned, Nashville SC will have a full week before its next match against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The match will be a big one as a win would move Nashville into second place in the conference. Kickoff is schedule for 6:30 p.m.

The Sounds trailed for the first half of the game against the Cubs, took the lead in the sixth inning thanks to five runs. Christian Lopes launched a three-run home run in the inning, leading Nashville to a 7-5 win on Sunday.

The Sounds scored twice to open the game in the first inning. Andy Ibanez hit an RBI single that scored Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Two batters later, Matt Davidson hit an RBI single to make it a 2-0 game early. Nashville scored in the sequence of four consecutive hits.

That was the only early offense the Sounds saw. Iowa would score all five of their runs in the first five inning. They responded to the initial Nashville burst with a run in the bottom-half of the first. In the fourth inning, Robel Garcia launched a three-run homer to give the Cubs the 4-2 lead. Iowa added another in the fifth inning on a solo home run by Donnie Dewees.

Nashville woke up in the sixth inning and exploded for a five-run inning. After loading the bases, Preston Beck laced a single to move everyone up a base. Tim Federowicz hit a sacrifice fly to grab another run. That’s when Lopes came up with the clutch hit, hitting his fourth home run of the season to complete the five-spot in the sixth inning.

With the Sounds taking the 7-5 lead, it was up to the bullpen to hold the lead. With starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx lasting through the fifth inning, he found himself in line for the win. Phillips Valdez relieved him, throwing a shutout inning. Reed Garrett followed Valdez with a shutout seventh inning.

The Cubs threatened in the eighth inning by getting two runners on. Kyle Bird was relieved after getting the first two outs of the inning and Joe Barlow was able to get out of the jam to finish the inning.

David Carpenter came in to close the ninth inning, solidifying the win for Nashville. The 7-5 win clinched the series against Iowa, 2-1. The Sounds head to Omaha Monday to begin their final road series of the series. With first pitch at 7:05 p.m., right-hander Pedro Payano (2-2, 5.29) will start for the Sounds against right-hander Arnaldo Hernandez (3-8, 6.80) for the Storm Chasers.

Post-Game Notes

– With Sunday’s 7-5 win, the Sounds are 61-69 in 2019.

– Sunday’s win clinched the fifth consecutive series win for the Sounds and they have won 14 of their last 17 games.

– David Carpenter’s save was his 20th of the season. It was his first game back since being outrighted to Nashville. He is the first pitcher since Rob Wooten in 2013.

– Andy Ibanez, Ronald Guzman and Preston Beck each recorded two hits.

The 2019 season is the 42nd in Nashville Sounds franchise history and first as the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

The Nashville Sounds let a 3-1 lead slip away in the sixth inning and never recovered, falling 5-3 to the Iowa Cubs on Saturday night at Principal Park. The loss ended the Sounds’ win streak at four and officially eliminated them from playoff contention. It was just their third loss in the last 16 games.

The Sounds led 3-1 through five innings and got another strong start by Seth Maness. He yielded one run – a Robel Garcia homer in the second – on just two hits and walked none over five innings in a no-decision. Christian Lopes got the Sounds on the board in the second inning with a bases-loaded walk against Collin Rea, and then Preston Beck smashed a two-run double off the right field wall in the third to score Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andy Ibanez for a 3-0 lead.

Iowa changed the game with a rally in the sixth against a rehabbing Yohander Mendez. Albert Almora doubled, and with two outs, Mendez walked Phillip Evans, hit Daniel Descalso and gave up a first-pitch grand slam to Mark Zagunis. That 5-3 score became the final, though the Sounds fought in the ninth against Dillon Maples. Lopes walked and Zack Granite singled to start the inning, but Maples notched a strikeout and got a double play to end the game.

The finale of the three-game set is Sunday afternoon at 1:08 CT. Austin Bibens-Dirkx (1-3, 7.83) will start for the Sounds against Middle Tennessee native Alec Mills (6-3, 4.78). The Sounds have five games left on their final road trip of the year before they return home next Friday to finish the season with a four-game series against San Antonio.

Post-Game Notes

After going 22 games in a row with at least one homer, the Sounds have played consecutive games without one
The Sounds’ entered play Saturday with 13 wins since August 7, the most victories in professional baseball in that period
Seth Maness has walked just 15 hitters in 111 innings this season and leads the PCL in fewest walks per nine innings
Preston Beck went 3-for-4 on Saturday and is 9-for-17 in five games as a Sound
The 2019 season is the 42nd in Nashville Sounds franchise history and first as the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

Jenna Garretson of CHS soccer

The Coffee CHS soccer team opened up play in the SMT Tournament on Friday Night.  Matched up against LaVergne, the Lady Raiders jumped on the Lady Wolverines early and never let up.  Coffee County drilled LaVergne 6 to 0.

A Jenna Garretson hat trick and a brace from Katie Cotton led the Coffee County offense.  Garretson got Coffee County on the board in the 2^nd minute with an unassisted goal.   Jenna made it 2 to 0 in the 12^th minute off an assist from Reyna Flores.  Flores added her own goal in the 14^th minute before Katie Cotton got her first tally in the 26^th off a pass from Reagan Ellison.  In the second half, Cotton notched her 2^nd goal in the 48^th off an assist from Garretson.  Jenna finished off the scoring in the 50^th as she converted a penalty kick.

The Lady Raiders are back in action on Saturday when finish up play in the SMT Tournament.  Coffee County will take on Stewarts Creek at 10 AM and Silverdale Academy at 2 PM.  Both games will be held at Tullahoma’s Johnson Lane Soccer Park.

The Coffee County Central High School volleyball team is hosting a junior varsity tournament on Saturday at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.  Twelve different teams, representing 10 schools from all over middle Tennessee will take part in the all-day event at CHS.  Coffee County will play 3 pool games at 9 AM, 12 PM and 2 PM on the main floor at CHS.  All three floors will be in use so fans are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

Click to enlarge and print schedule

Friday Prep Schedule

7:00 PM – CHS football at Franklin County – Thunder Radio broadcast brought to you by Al White Ford/Lincoln

7:30 PM – CHS soccer at Tullahoma tournament