Tim Dillard tossed seven stellar innings on his 36th birthday and infielder Nick Solak drilled a pair of home runs to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 6-5 win over the Iowa Cubs in front of a sellout crowd of 10,975 at First Tennessee Park Friday night.

In Dillard’s third appearance in the last seven days, he limited the Cubs to two runs on five hits. He issued one walk and struck out four in his sixth win of the year.

The offense helped Dillard with four home runs – two from Solak in his First Tennessee Park debut, and one each from Andy Ibanez and Patrick Wisdom. Ibanez started the power display right away in the bottom of the first when he lined a pitch from Matt Swarmer into the left field seats to give the Sounds a 1-0 lead.

Solak’s monster game started in the second when he launched a ball off the batter’s eye to make it a 2-0 game. Patrick Wisdom followed and drilled a homer off the light tower in left-center field to give the Sounds back-to-back home runs and a 3-0 lead.

In his first game back with Nashville since being optioned by Texas on July 16, Willie Calhoun contributed RBI doubles in the second and sixth innings. His second of the night extended Nashville’s lead to 5-1.

Dillard was dialed in for much of the night. Iowa’s Phillips Evans started the top of the seventh with a triple and scored on Jim Adduci’s RBI groundout to make it a 5-2 game.

Reliever Wei-Chieh Huang was summoned for the eighth inning and trouble started immediately. Dixon Machado doubled, Donnie Dewees doubled, and Zack Short hit a two-run homer to trim Iowa’s deficit to 6-5.

Miguel Del Pozo relieved Huang and shut down the threat. Closer David Carpenter took the ninth and fired a 1-2-3 inning with a pair of strikeouts to convert his 15th save in as many opportunities.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Saturday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Seth Maness (5-3, 5.55) starts for Nashville against right-hander Colin Rea (11-2, 3.17) for Iowa. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

– With tonight’s 6-5 win, the Sounds improved to 41-57 in 2019.

– Nick Solak and Patrick Wisdom hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning. It was the third time a pair of Nashville teammates went back-to-back this year.

– Solak went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs in his First Tennessee Park debut. It’s Solak’s fifth multi-homer game of his career and third in 2019.

– The Sounds hit four home runs to match a season-high. It’s the fifth time the Sounds have hit four home runs in a game this year. Nashville is 19-16 when hitting at least two home runs.

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.

Coffee County Central High School Tennis Team players  Ben Davis and Lauren Perry are headed for the Junior Team Tennis TN State Championship Tournament July 19-21 2019 in Murfreesboro, TN.

Red Raiders Ben Davis and Lauren Perry are members of the Murfreesboro True Blue 18U Intermediate Junior Team Tennis Team which is advancing to the State Championship Tournament held in Murfreesboro.  The Team is coached by Davis’ Father, Lance Davis, who has recruited some of the best players from Middle Tennessee to make a solid team.  “Most of the teams in Murfreesboro Junior Team Tennis (JTT) are school-based from one of the Murfreesboro High Schools but our players are from all over and we like the variety of players our team brings to the game.” Davis said when asked about his team.  “Since we’re from all over Middle Tennessee, we’re proud to be ‘True Blue’ just like the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders!”, commented Davis.

Ben and Lauren enjoy the competition of JTT and will be taking some of that Coffee County Red Raider Spirit with them to the State Championship beginning 7/19, 2019.  Davis’ team had some success in the 2018 State Championship when they placed 2nd in their Flight of Teams in the 18U Intermediate Division.  The True Blue Team for 2019 consists of the following players:

• Ben Davis – Coffee County
• Henry Frazier – Stewarts Creek
• Josh Strickland – Stewarts Creek
• Kaleb Bell – Covenant Academy (Warren Co)
• Lauren Perry – Coffee County
• Emma Nolan – Central Magnet
• Maddie Hand – Ensworth Academy
• Jessie Thepsouvan – Oakland

The True Blue Team finished the 2019 JTT season in 3rd place overall in the 18U division standings and hopes to carry that winning percentage on to the State Championship Tournament.

Everyone is welcome to support their Coffee County Red Raiders and all the talented Junior Team Tennis Players from all over Tennessee at the JTT State Championship Tournament July 19-21 in Murfreesboro, TN at the Adams Tennis Complex and Middle Tennessee Christian School.

About Junior Team Tennis

Murfreesboro Junior Team Tennis is a United States Tennis Association (USTA) sanctioned league which is part of the USTA Southern Section of Competition.  The TN State Championship Tournament is a qualifying event for Junior Team Tennis Teams to advance through a series of tournaments to the USTA National Tournament.

The Coffee County CHS football team closed out their 7 on 7 scrimmage schedule on Thursday in Shelbyville.  7 on 7 is non-contact form of football used in the summer to work on the passing game offensively and defensively.  The Red Raiders closed out 2 weeks of “perimeter work” in the Pencil City Tournament at Shelbyville Central High with a record of 3 and 2.

Coach Doug Greene was pleased with his young team’s performance.  “We came out fast, our offense clicked and the team stayed focused” said Greene.  Greene was impressed with the continued progress shown by sophomore QB Connor Shemwell.  “Connor made some good throws and his decision-making continues to get better every week” raved Greene.  He also called out the play of Marshall Haney and Andrew Hite as each had multiple touchdowns on the day.   Defensively, Haney and C.J. Anthony each had interceptions.  Greene was pleased with the opportunity to see a Wing-T team but insists that his defense needs to do a better job of communicating.

The Raiders return to summer conditioning on Monday leading up to the first day of practice on July 29^th.  The Red Raiders will host their first scrimmage on Friday, August 2^nd when they welcome Stewarts Creek to Carden-Jarrell Field in a varsity/freshman doubleheader.

Facing their toughest competition of the summer thus far, the Coffee County CHS volleyball team headed to Eagleville on Thursday for the 2^nd day of the Eagleville team camp.  Facing off against 3 quality programs including a state semifinalist from last year, the Lady Raiders had their hands full.  Despite 3 close battles, the Lady Raiders dropped all 3 contests.

Opening up against Watertown, the Lady Raiders got a 1^st set win(25 to 21) over last year’s 3^rd place team in the Class A state tournament.  The Lady Tigers rallied to win the last 2 sets by scores of 15-25, 11-15.  Taking on Summertown in the 2^nd round, the Lady Raiders tangled with a Lady Eagle team that was eliminated in the sectional round in 2018.  Coffee County won the 1^st set 25-22 before falling 18-25 and 11-15.  The Lady Raiders closed out the day with a straight set loss to old rival Lawrence County 21-25 and 21-25.

Despite the losses, head coach Andrew Taylor was pleased with the performance of his team.  “Don’t be fooled by today’s record.  We played some good volleyball today” said Taylor.  “We played and evaluated every kid in our program that was there today.  Our staff saw a lot more good than bad” added Taylor.

The Lady Raiders return to Eagleville on Friday for the final day of the camp.  They will open up against Rockvale on Friday morning at 9 AM in the 1^st round of bracket play.

The Coffee County CHS dance team closed out a 4 day camp on Thursday at the University of Alabama-Huntsville.  The Raider dancers, coached by first year head coach Ashley Kraft had a strong performance at the Universal Dance Association Camp.  The dance team received several team honors and a one dancer was named as an All-American.

The team opened competition on Monday with a 5^th place finish in the “home pom” routine receiving a Blue Superior ribbon, the highest ribbon awarded.   The team won the spirit stick and was nominated by their peers on Day 3 of camp to receive the Super Spirit Stick.  They received the highest ribbon (Blue Superior) for their team performance dance and received the highest trophy (Superior) for their individual dances.  The performance qualified them for UDA Nationals in Orlando, FL and gave them an automatic invitation to perform in the Citrus Bowl.

Senior captain Elizabeth “Lizzie” Freeze was named a UDA All-American for the Raiderettes.  Freeze, one of 2 seniors on the squad, qualified to perform in Rome, Italy for their New Year’s Day parade.  The Raiderettes perform at Coffee County football and basketball games.

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club returns to First Tennessee Park on Friday, July 19 to begin a six-game, seven-day homestand. The Sounds welcome the Iowa Cubs from July 19-21 before a team off day on Monday, July 22. The second half of the homestand features the Sounds and Oklahoma City Dodgers from July 23-25.

Below is a preview for the six-game homestand:

 

Friday, July 19 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.

– Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

– FOX 17 News postgame fireworks presented by Koorsen Fire & Security.

– Paradise at the Park Weekend – Join us in bringing Paradise Park Trailer Resort back to The Band Box. Relive memories from your favorite Broadway Trailer Resort while the players sport custom Paradise at the Park jerseys that will be auctioned to benefit Room In The Inn.

– Paradise at the Park Frozen Bundle – This one-time offer includes a ticket for the Vanderbilt Health Picnic Place, a voucher for Paradise at the Park grilled cheese and tots, a voucher for a 12 oz. frozen cocktail from The Band Box and one souvenir The Band Box drink koozie all for just $35.

– Fans can purchase Paradise Park favorites such as grilled cheese sandwiches, tater tots, corn dogs and $6 Natural Light pitchers at The Band Box.

Saturday, July 20 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.

– Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

– Enjoy Saturday at the Park with visits to The Band Box and our Family Fun Zone in the right field corner.

– Paradise at the Park Weekend – Join us in bringing Paradise Park Trailer Resort back to The Band Box. Relive memories from your favorite Broadway Trailer Resort while the players sport custom Paradise at the Park that will be auctioned to benefit Room In The Inn.

– The online and mobile auction will begin at 10:00 a.m. and finish at the end of the sixth inning. Winning bidders in-ballpark will receive their game-worn signed jersey on the field post-game. Enjoy live music from The Fun Zone by The Otherside beginning at 7:00.

– Fans can purchase Paradise Park favorites such as grilled cheese sandwiches, tater tots, corn dogs and $6 Natural Light pitchers at The Band Box.

– Boy Scouts of Middle Tennessee Night – Discounted tickets are available for boy scouts and families. Additionally, all scouts and families attending are invited to a movie and sleepover at First Tennessee Park following the game.

Sunday, July 21 vs. Iowa – 6:15 p.m.

– Gates open at 5:15 p.m.

– Middle Tennessee Hyundai Dealers pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players from 5:15 to 5:30 p.m.

– Postgame Kids (12 & under) Run the Bases presented by First Tennessee.

Tuesday, July 23 vs. Oklahoma City – 7:05 p.m.

– Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

– Tito’s Tail Waggin’ Tuesday – Fans can bring their four-legged friend to First Tennessee Park every Tuesday in 2019. Tickets start at $25 ($20 for humans; $5 for dog). Proceeds from all dog tickets will benefit Nashville Humane Association. Limit of one dog per human. Please note all dogs must enter through the Right Field Gate on 5th Avenue. The Vanderbilt Health Picnic Place will be reserved for all dogs and owners in attendance. All dog owners are required to sign a waiver and present proof of updated rabies vaccination.

Wednesday, July 24 vs. Oklahoma City – 7:05 p.m.

– Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

– All fans win on Winning Wednesday presented by Pepsi at First Tennessee Park. The first 1,000 fans through the gates are guaranteed a free prize. Additionally, all fans are welcome to run the bases after the game if the Sounds win.

Thursday, July 25 vs. Oklahoma City – 7:05 p.m.

– Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

– Throwback Thursday presented by Budweiser – the Sounds will wear throwback uniforms to commemorate the team’s original uniform style from 1978. Fans can purchase Pepsi fountain soda and Budweiser products at a discounted rate.

– Christmas in July presented by GLOW Nashville – Catch the holiday spirit with Santa and the Sounds as we celebrate a big announcement at First Tennessee Park. Additionally, the first 2,000 fans receive a Santa hat presented by GLOW Nashville.

Seniors and Military families can enjoy a $2.00 discount on single-game ticket prices at First Tennessee Park. The offer is valid for any reserved seat section on Sunday through Wednesday games – subject to availability. Offer valid for up to four (4) tickets per I.D. (Seniors 55 +, government-issued military I.D. required at ticket office; no phone orders).

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.