Just short of a year after the idea of an indoor athletic facility at Coffee County Middle School was born, the dream is in the final stages of becoming a reality.  The facility being built is a 60 by 75 foot practice facility with artificial turf, locker rooms, weight room and offices for coaches for football, baseball, softball and soccer.  The building is in the process of being completed behind the softball field on the CCMS campus.

Local businessman Robert Gilley, CCMS athletic director Kyle Harris, CCMS Principal Kim Aaron and others undertook discussion in August and after months of design, planning, site work and weather delays, construction began on the facility in the spring.  Gilley, the owner of Gilley Crane talked to other businesses and community leaders and coordinated donations of labor and needed materials.  Donations for electrical equipment and other equipment are still needed.

Harris told WMSR Radio that there is still a need for monetary donations for equipment and other various needs for the complex.  Businesses and individuals are asked to help offset the remaining deficit of $30,000.  Harris says that people can make donations to the CCMS Athletic Facility and he added that NO taxpayer money will be used for the facility, it will be 100% funded by donations. Donations can be made at the Coffee County Schools central office or at the principal’s office at Coffee County Middle School.

Kyle Harris will be special guest on the Coffee Coaches Show on Thunder Radio this Saturday from Al White Motors beginning at 10 a.m. He will have additional information about the building of the facility and making donations.

Jacob Langham of CHS baseball

2018 Coffee County CHS baseball graduate Jacob Langham has signed a National Letter of Intent to play college baseball with Jackson State Community College.  The Red Raider graduate becomes the 2nd member of the Class of 2018 to sign to play college baseball.  Langham is set to play shortstop at the college level.

According to Coffee County head baseball coach David Martin told Thunder Radio sports on Tuesday that Jackson State has been recruiting Langham for 2 years.  “They have wanted Jacob from the get-go” said Martin.  “Jacob is a true 5 tool player with elite attributes” added Martin.  He went on to say; “The sky’s the limit for Jacob as he has the chance to be an exceptional college baseball player.“  When asked what would make Langham successful at the college level, Martin said “Jacob in a hard worker.  He does everything the right way.”

Langham hit .300 in the last 2 weeks of his senior season after coming off shoulder surgery in the offseason.  Langham finished 3^rd on the team in runs scored and 2^nd on the team in runs socred with 22.  Jackson State Community College is a member of Tennessee Community College Athletic Association.  The Generals are coached by Tyson Malik.  Malik just completed his 6^th season at the helm of the Generals program.

Jorge Mateo and Ramon Laureano each collected four hits and three RBIs on Tuesday night to lead the Nashville Sounds to an 11-4 victory over the Las Vegas 51s at Cashman Field in the opener of a seven-game road trip.

Every Sounds hitter in the game reached base at least once, and the offense built an early 5-0 lead. Anthony Garcia smashed a long two-run homer in the first, his 19^th of the year. BJ Boyd doubled home Franklin Barreto in the third, and Jorge Mateo’s RBI triple in the fourth made it a 4-0 game. Then Ramon Laureano followed with a run-scoring double to make it 5-0.

After Las Vegas scored one in the fourth and two in the fifth against Chris Bassitt to cut it to 5-3, the Sounds pulled away again. Garcia and Sheldon Neuse drew consecutive bases-loaded walks in the sixth, Mateo smashed a two-run triple in the seventh, and Laureano poked a run-scoring single for a 10-3 advantage. Laureano capped the big night with a long solo homer in the ninth. He and Mateo combined to go 8-for-11 with six RBIs.

Bassitt went seven innings for the second consecutive outing and got the win, allowing four runs on eight hits. Jeremy Bleich and Jake Sanchez each worked a scoreless inning, and Nabil Crismatt took the loss for the 51s.

The Sounds continue the three-game series and seven-game road trip Wednesday night. Daniel Mengden (2-1, 3.68) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Chris Flexen (6-6, 4.39) for the 51s. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m.

The 2018 season is the Sounds’ 41^st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Single-game tickets are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.