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Tennessee Reconnect Working Out Just Fine
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced Wednesday that more than 10,000 adults have applied for Tennessee Reconnect, the state’s program for adult learners to earn an associate degree or technical certificate tuition-free.
The application for Tennessee Reconnect opened on February 15 and 10,497 applications had been submitted as of April 10. Tennessee Reconnect is Haslam’s groundbreaking program that covers tuition and mandatory fees at a Tennessee community or technical college for eligible adults that do not yet have a college degree.
Among those who have applied for the scholarship, more than two-thirds have previously enrolled in college and just more than half of all applicants have attended college in the past five years. The average age of applicants is 34 years old and nearly 90 percent of those who applied plan to work while enrolled through Reconnect.
Tennessee Reconnect was proposed by Haslam and passed by the General Assembly in 2017.
The Tennessee Reconnect application will remain open year-round; adults hoping to enroll in community or technical college in fall 2018 are encouraged to apply by April 15 to ensure time to complete all enrollment steps. Go online to TNReconnect.gov for more information.
Liquor and Wine Sales Approved for Sundays and some Holidays
The Tennessee Legislature has passed a bill that would allow seven-day liquor and wine sales, despite opposition from religious conservatives. Afterward, the Tennessee Pastors Network called the measure “despicable.”
If signed by the governor, liquor stores would be able to open for business on Sunday and grocery stores would be allowed to sell wine that day. Liquor and wine could also be sold on holidays, with the exception of Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.
The measure passed in the Tennessee Senate on Wednesday by a vote of 17-11. It cleared the House earlier in the week.
Liquor stores can begin opening on Sundays as soon as the bill becomes law. However, grocery stores could not sell wine on Sundays until January.
Tuesday Prep Results and Wednesday Prep Schedule
Tuesday Prep Results
> CHS Tennis split with Marshall Co – Boys won 4 to 3, Girls lost 5 to 2 – See the story HERE
> WMS Tennis split with St. Andrews – Girls won 6 to 1, Boys lost 6 to 1 – See the story HERE
> WMS Golf lost at Webb – 9 to 0 – See the story HERE
> CCMS Baseball defeated Middle Tenn Monarchs -14 to 4 – See the story HERE
> CHS Baseball lost at Shelbyville – 10 to 0 – See the story HERE
> CHS Boys’ Soccer lost to Shelbyville – 2 to 0 – See the story HERE
> CHS Softball edged Shelbyville – 10 to 9(8 innings) – See the story HERE
Wednesday Prep Schedule
4:30 PM – WMS Softball HOSTS Moore County
5:00 PM – CCMS Softball at North Franklin
5:30 PM – CCMS Boys’ Soccer vs. Westwood at Raider Academy
6:00 PM – CHS Baseball HOSTS Shelbyville – Thunder Radio broadcast
CHS Softball Rallies to Defeat Eaglettes in 8 Innings
Sarah West of Coffee County softball[File Photo]
After surrendering the first run of the game in the 2nd inning, the Lady Raiders rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the 2nd and 3 more in the 3rd to take a 7 to 2 lead. Shelbyville scored 7 unanswered runs to put Coffee County in a 9 to 7 hole entering the bottom of the 5th. A solo home run by Sarah West in the 5th inning made the score 9 to 8. After a scoreless 6th inning, Coffee County needed an RBI double from West in the 7th to tie the gme. With 2 outs in the 8th, Lauren Tomberlin singled to right field to drive home Raven Rogers with the game winning run.
West finished the game with 2 doubles, a triple, a home run and 3 RBI. Tomberlin finished with 2 singles, a double and the game-winning RBI. Kerri Munn pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief to get the win. The win lifts the Lady Raiders record to 4 and 1 in district play.
Coffee County will be back in action on Thursday night when they welcome district leading Lawrence County to Terry Floyd Field. First pitch is set for 7 PM and Thunder Radio will be on hand, along with Raider TV, to bring you all the action. Live coverage will begin with the pregame show at 6:45.
CCMS Baseball Earns 10th Win of Year on Tuesday
Connor Shemwell of CCMS baseball
The Coffee County Middle School baseball team welcomed the Middle Tennessee Monarchs to CCMS on Tuesday. The Monarchs, from Rutherford County, field a team of students who are home schooled. The Red Raiders banged out 12 hits to capture a 14 to 4 win in 6 innings.
Tied at 1 entering the bottom of the 2nd inning, the Raiders rallied for 3 runs to seize the lead. Coffee Middle added 5 runs in the 3rd and 5 more in the 5th to take the 10 run lead. After holding the Monarchs scoreless in the 5th, the Raiders earned the Mercy Rule shortened win.
Coffee County was led in hitting by Connor Shemwell who finished with 2 singles and a double with 5 RBI. Shemwell also got the win on the bump as he pitched 2 innings surrendering 2 hits while striking out 2. Hayden Garr finished with a single and a double and Jacob Sherrill had 2 singles, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. The win improves the Raiders record to 10-3-1 on the season.
Coffee Middle will host the Monarchs in game #2 of the season series on Thursday, also at CCMS. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 PM.
CHS Tennis Splits with Marshall County
Reid Lawrence of CHS tennis[file photo]
In the boys’ match, Grey Riddle(8 to 5), Jonah Rollman(8-0) and Landon Booth(8-0) all got wins in singles matches. Riddle teamed up with Reid Lawrence to capture a 8 to 5 win in doubles play. The win improves the Red Raiders to 5 and 2 overall and 4 and 2 in district play.
In the girls’ match, Natalie Elzeer(8 to 2) and Emily Shelton(8 to 2) both won in singles play. Jessica Barrera and Odalis Garcia teamed up to get an 8 to 6 win in doubles play. The loss drops the Lady Radiers record to 4 and 3 overall and 3 and 3 in district play.
The Raider netters travel to Woodbury on Thursday for a 4 PM match with Cannon County. Coffee County will finish up their busy week with a trip to Tullahoma on Friday. That match will also get underway at 4 PM.
Westwood Tennis Splits Match at St. Andrews
Anna Johnson of Westwood tennis
The Westwood tennis teams traveled to Sewanee on Tuesday to take on St. Andrews. The Lady Rockets swept the singles matches on their way to a 6 to 1 win. The Rockets were shut out in singles play as they fell 6 to 1.
In the girls’ match, Lauren Perry, Rylea McNamara, Anna Johnson and Sarah Khan all won in 6 to 0 decisions. Addison Welch won 6 to 1 in singles play. Johnson and McNamara got a 6 to 4 doubles win. In the boys’ match, Jonathan Nelson and Caleb Simmons teamed up for a 7 to 5 win in doubles play.
Westwood will hit the court again on Friday when they will play host to Coffee County Middle. That match will take place at Fred Deadman Park and first serve is set for 4 PM.
CHS Baseball Falls at Shelbyville
Skylar Bratcher of CHS baseball
The Red Raiders packed their bags and traveled to Shelbyville on Tuesday for a district matchup with the Eagles. The Red Raiders were looking to end a 5 game losing streak and get back into the hunt for a high seed in next month’s district tournament. The Eagles held Coffee County to 1 hit as they blanked Red Raiders 10 to 0.
Shelbyville broke through for 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning to take the only lead they would need. Adding 2 in the 3rd, 3 in the 4th and 2 more in the 5th ended the game via the Mercy Rule.
Coffee County’s Skylar Bratcher had the lone hit in the game for the Raiders as he laced a double in the 4th inning. Coffee County finished the game with 3 walks but could not get a runner past 2nd base in the game.
Coffee County will play host to Shelbyville on Wednesday in the second game of the season series. First pitch is set for 6 PM. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you all the action. Lucky Knott will begin live coverage with the pregame show at 5:45.
CHS Soccer Falls to Shelbyville
The Red Raider soccer team of Coffee County CHS hosted Shelbyville on Tuesday night at the Raider Soccer Field. The Red Raiders were hoping to get a little payback after a 5 to 2 loss at Shelbyville last month. Coffee County could not find the back of the net as they lost 2 to 0.
Shelbyville got on the board first in the 27th minute to lead 1 to 0 at halftime. The Eagles added a goal in the 64th minute to gain the district win. Despite some good scoring opportunities, the Red Raiders could not break through to close the gap in the 2nd half.
The Raiders hit the pitch again on Thursday when they make the long trip to Columbia for a district contest with the Lions. Opening kick is set for 7 PM.