The offense for the Nashville Sounds was silent for the second consecutive night and resulted in a 2-1 loss to the New Orleans Baby Cakes Saturday night.
In a game that was delayed by rain for over 2.5 hours, both teams combined for only eight hits, but it was the Baby Cakes who improved to 2-1 with the one-run win.
The game started in Nashville’s favor as the Sounds scored in the top of the first inning. Jorge Mateo started the game by coaxing a walk off Sandy Alcantara. The speedster promptly swiped second base and scored when Renato Nunez lined a base hit up the middle.
New Orleans came right back and evened the game at 1-1 in the second inning. Nashville starter Trevor Cahill momentarily lost command and issued three walks in the frame, including forcing in a run on a free pass.
An error in the bottom of the fourth proved to be the difference in the game. With two outs and runners at second and third, Cito Culver’s groundball to third was handled by Steve Lombardozzi but his throw was off line and allowed Eric Campbell to score and make it a 2-1 game.
The lead held for New Orleans as the Sounds managed only two hits over the final five innings – a single by BJ Boyd in the fifth, and a single by Beau Taylor in the eighth.
Trevor Cahill started for Nashville and went four innings. He was tagged with the loss after he allowed two runs (one earned). The bullpen trio of Lou Trivino, Jake Sanchez and Bobby Wahl threw four perfect innings in relief.
Nashville and New Orleans continue the five-game series Sunday afternoon at Shrine on Airline. Left-hander Eric Jokisch starts for the Sounds against right-hander Tyler Cloyd for the Baby Cakes. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Post-Game Notes
• With tonight’s loss, the Sounds fell to 1-2. They are two games back of the American Southern Division leading Memphis Redbirds.
• Relievers Lou Trivino, Jake Sanchez and Bobby Wahl combined to throw 4.0 perfect innings in relief tonight. The bullpen ERA on the young season is 0.59 (15.1 IP/1 ER).
• After going 6-for-12 with runners in scoring position in the first game of the season, the Sounds are just 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position over the last two games.
• Right-hander Trevor Cahill went 4.0 innings (L, 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) in his first start of the season.

The 2018 season is the Sounds’ 41st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Opening Day at First Tennessee Park is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 when the Sounds host the Iowa Cubs at 6:35 p.m. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

The Nashville Sounds fell to 1-1 as the offense went cold in a 5-1 loss to the New Orleans Baby Cakes Friday night at Shrine on Airline.
One night after putting up 11 runs on 16 hits, the Sounds managed just one run on seven hits and went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Nashville was in a deficit from the beginning as starter Frankie Montas failed to make it out of the first inning. The right-hander recorded just two outs as the Baby Cakes sent 10 to the plate in the opening inning. Montas was charged with all four runs that scored as the Sounds trailed 4-0 after one.
Josh Lucas and Ryan Dull worked in relief after the short start by Montas. Dull appeared on a MLB rehab assignment and allowed one run over two innings.
The Sounds trailed 5-0 before putting up their sole run of the game in the eighth. They loaded the bases with nobody out and scored on Dustin Fowler’s RBI fielder’s choice. The rally was short-lived, however, as Jorge Mateo was picked off second base for the second out, and Nick Martini lined out to end the inning.
Chris Bassitt was a bright spot in the game. The right-hander worked four shutout innings in relief and racked up five strikeouts.
Nashville and New Orleans continue the five-game series Saturday night at Shrine on Airline. Right-hander Trevor Cahill starts for the Sounds against right-hander Sandy Alcantara for the Baby Cakes. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Post-Game Notes
• With tonight’s loss, the Sounds fell to 1-1. They have not started a season 2-0 since 2014.
• RHP Ryan Dull became the second Athletics player to make a MLB rehab assignment in as many days with Nashville. Dull worked two innings and allowed one run on 23 pitches, 16 strikes (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K).
• Nashville shortstop Jorge Mateo had another multi-hit game and his batting .556 (5-for-9) with 3 RBI, 2 runs and 2 doubles on the season. It’s the first time in his career he has started a season with at least four hits in his first two games.
• Nashville committed another error in tonight’s game to bring the season total to four. The last time the Sounds committed at least four errors through the first two games of the season was in 2013.
• Jorge Mateo, Sheldon Neuse and Anthony Garcia have all hit safely in the first two games of the season.

The 2018 season is the Sounds’ 41st in franchise history and fourth as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. Opening Day at First Tennessee Park is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 when the Sounds host the Iowa Cubs at 6:35 p.m. Season ticket memberships are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.

Thursday Prep Results
> CHS Tennis split with Lawrence Co – Girls won 5 to 2, Boys lost 5 to 2 – See the story HERE
> WMS Tennis split with Lewisburg – Girls won 6 to 1, Boys lost 5 to 2 – See the story HERE
> CCMS Softball lost to North Franklin – 10 to 7 – See the story HERE
> CCMS Baseball blanked South Franklin – 13 to 0 – See the story HERE
> WMS Softball tied with Community – 4 to 4 – See the story HERE
> WMS Baseball fell to Forrest – 14 to 4 – See the story HERE
> CHS Boys’ Soccer ties Franklin Co – 3 to 3 – See the story HERE
> CHS Baseball lost to Ooltewah – Rebel Classic – 7 to 6 – See the story HERE

Friday Prep Schedule

CCMS Tennis at St. Andrews – PPD
CCMS Track HOSTS Harris, East, West – PPD
CCMS Baseball HOSTS South Franklin – PPD until April 19
CHS Baseball HOSTS Warren Co – Rebel Classic – CANCELLED

CHS baseball player Nathanial Tate

The CHS baseball team opened up play in the Rebel Classic on Thursday night as they welcomed Ooltewah to Powers Field.  After surrendering an early lead to the Owls, Coffee County battled back to take a late lead.  But a 7^th inning rally from Ooltewah dropped the Red Raiders 7 to 6.

The visiting Owls touched up Coffee County for 3 runs in the 1^st inning.  Two more runs in the 3^rd inning put Coffee County in a 5 to 1 hole.  But the always scrappy Raiders plated single runs in the 4^th and 5^th and took a 6 to 5 lead into the 7^th after a 3 run outburst in the 6^th inning.  A pair of Coffee County errors allowed the Owls to get the tying and winning runs in the top of the 7^th inning.

Nathanial Tate and Kael McCall each had a pair of hits and an RBI.  Tate finished with a pair of doubles.  Skylar Bratcher was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored and Bryson Hullett added a double.

Coffee County returns to the diamond on Friday when they tangle with Warren County at Powers Field in the 2^nd day of the Rebel Classic.  That game will get underway at 5 PM.  Coffee County will close out the tournament on Saturday with a 10 AM game against White County.

John McKelvey of CCMS baseball

The Coffee County Middle School baseball team traveled to Winchester on Thursday to take on South Franklin.  The Red Raiders got a 5 inning shutout of the Trojans in the first game of their season series.  The Red Raiders won by a final score of 13 to 0.

John McKelvey pitched a 1 hit shutout to get his 5^th win of the year.  The shutout dropped his season ERA to 1.33.  Jacob Holder led the Raider hitting attack as he had a triple and 2 singles with 3 RBI.  Jacob Sherrill added 3 singles and scored twice.  Tristan Grissom added a single and a double and Connor Shemwell added 2 singles.

The win improves the Red Raiders record to 7 and 2 in conference play.  Coffee Middle will take on South in game #2 of the season series on Friday.  That game will be played at CCMS and first pitch will be at 5 PM.

Jessica Barrera of CHS tennis

The Coffee County CHS tennis team welcomed Lawrence County to the Raider Academy courts on Thursday.  Smarting from a pair of losses on Tuesday in Shelbyville, Coffee County hoped to get back on the right track against the visiting Wildcats.  The Lady Raiders won 5 to 2 while Red Raiders fell 5 to 2.

In the girls’ matches, Coffee County got all the victories they would need in singles play as they captured 4 of the 5 matches.  Winning in singles play were: Jessica Barrera(8-3), Natalie Elzeer(8-2), Emily Shelton(8-4) and Wren Lawson(8-4).  Barrera teamed up with Odalis Garcia to claim a doubles victory by a score of 8 to 3.  The Lady Raiders are now 4 and 2 overall and 3 and 2 in district play.

In the boys’ matches, Coffee County got both of their wins in singles play.  Grey Riddle(8 to 5) and Jonah Rollman(8-5) took home victories for the Red Raiders.  The JV boys team of Ben Davis and Daniel McCullough got a 6 to 4 win in doubles play.

The Raider netters return to the court on Tuesday when they travel to Lewisburg.  Coffee County will tangle with new district rival Marshall County.  First serve is scheduled for 4 PM.

Leo Botello of CHS soccer

The Coffee County CHS soccer team welcomed district rival Franklin County to the Raider Soccer Field on Thursday.  After grabbing an early lead, the Raiders saw the Rebels come roaring back to take the lead.  Coffee County tallied a pair of goals in the 2^nd half to come away with the 3 to 3 tie.

Coffee County got on the board in the 13^th minute when Leo Botello scored off an assist from David Morales to make it 1 to 0.  Franklin County tied the match at 1 in the 22^nd minute off a free kick and added 2 more goals in the next 16 minutes to lead 3 to 1 at the half.

Tyler Walker got the Raiders 2^nd goal in the 57^th minute as he scored an unassisted tally to cut the deficit to 1.  Briggs Haithcock drilled home a penalty kick in the 66^th minute to level the match at 3.

Coffee County returns home on Tuesday when they play host to Shelbyville.  That district match will get underway at 7 PM.