Category: Sports

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club returns home to First Tennessee Park on Wednesday, June 12 to begin a seven-game homestand, highlighted by the return of former Sounds Manager Fran Riordan. The Sounds welcome the Riordan-led Las Vegas Aviators for a three-game series from June 12-14. Following the series against Las Vegas, the Sounds host the Salt Lake Bees for a four-game set from June 15-18.

Below is a preview for the seven-game homestand:

Wednesday, June 12 vs. Las Vegas – 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.

– Minor League Baseball’s Pride Night – MiLB and the Sounds will #StrikeOutHate and celebrate the LGBTQ community by promoting acceptance and inclusion for all members of Middle Tennessee communities at First Tennessee Park. Those interested must contact the Nashville Sounds sales team to receive a discount code.

Thursday, June 13 vs. Las Vegas – 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.

Friday, June 14 vs. Las Vegas – 7:05 p.m.

– Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

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

Saturday, June 15 vs. Salt Lake – 6:15 p.m.

– Gates open at 5:15 p.m.

– 615 Night – The first 2,000 fans receive the 615 Hat Giveaway presented by First Tennessee.

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

Sunday, June 16 vs. Salt Lake – 2:05 p.m.

– Gates open at 1:00 p.m.

– Bringing Dad to the game for Father’s Day? Gift him with a pair of custom Nashville Sounds socks. The socks are an exclusive add-on option when purchasing tickets online.

– Middle Tennessee Hyundai Dealers pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players from 1:00 to 1:15 p.m.

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

– Postgame Family Catch on the Field.

– All fans receive one pack of Martin’s Potato Rolls upon exiting First Tennessee Park.

Monday, June 17 vs. Salt Lake – 7:05 p.m.

– Gates open at 6:00 p.m.

– Kroger Plus Monday – Score a “Family 4-Pack” that includes 4 Select section tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 fountain sodas for $44 when fans show their Kroger Plus card at the Sounds Ticket Office. Offer is subject to availability.

Tuesday, June 18 vs. Salt Lake – 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 The Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation. 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.

– Ceremonial first pitch thrown by Logan Ryan – Tennessee Titans cornerback and founder of The Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation.

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.

The Coffee County Red Raider basketball team opened up play on Monday in the MTSU team camp in Murfreesboro.  Both the varsity and JV teams were perfect on the day.  The Red Raider varsity went 3 and 0 on the day while the JV Red Raiders posted an identical 3 and 0 record.

The varsity squad opened the day with a win over 2019 Indiana semi-finalist Bosse High School on the main floor of the MTSU Murphy Center.  They closed out the day with wins over Christian Academy of Louisville and Section, Alabama.  Coach Micah Williams was proud of the balanced effort from his squad.  “All 12 guys played extremely well.  I’m very pleased with how well our chemistry is coming along and how we are sharing the ball on the offensive end and how well we are communicating and rebounding on the defensive end.”  The JV team captured wins over Kingston, Gilmer, GA and Middle Tennessee Christian.

Coffee County will close out the MTSU camp on Tuesday as both the varsity and JV will play a trio of games.  The varsity hit the court on the main floor at the Murphy Center at 11 when they take on Independence.  They move to the auxiliary gym at 4 to tangle with White House before closing out the day at the MTSU Rec Center at 6 against Harrison, IN.  The JV will spend all day in the Murphy Center auxiliary gym.  They open the day at 2 PM versus Perry County before a 5 PM rematch with Gilmer, GA.  Their final game is at 8 PM against Clinton.

The Coffee County CHS Lady Raider basketball team concluded play in the Tennessee Tech team camp on Tuesday. The varsity Lady Raiders finished the day with a record of 1 and 1. The JV Lady Raiders won their only game.
Coffee County opened the day with a 45 to 40 win over York Institute. The Lady Raiders starters built a 30 to 12 lead in the game before subbing heavily late in the second half. Jalie Reuhling led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 18 points. Bella Vinson and Kiya Ferrell each added 10 points in the win.
In the day’s second game, Vinson rolled her ankle in the first possession against Lakeway Christian out of Morristown, TN. The short-handed Lady Raiders fought gamely against the East Tennessee private school which is unbeaten on the summer and features a trio of future Division 1 players. Balanced scoring kept the Lady Raiders close as the 2 teams were tied at 31 in the second half. Lakeway pulled away late to send Coffee County to a 49 to 42 defeat. Marley Perry and Jenna Garretson were tied for the team lead in scoring as each dropped 6 points. Ferrell added 5.
The JV team crushed Monterey 51 to 14. Chloe Gannon led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 18 points. Emma Fulks added 17 for the Coffee County JV. “I was tickled with the effort (today), we got after it” said Lady Raider coach Joe Pat Cope. Coffee County will return home to get in a few practices the remainder of the week before concluding the summer season next week. The Lady Raiders will take part in the MTSU team camp on Monday through Wednesday of next week. Coffee County will open up on Monday taking on Lebanon and Stewarts Creek.

The Nashville Sounds bid at their first series sweep of the season came up short in a 3-1 loss to the Tacoma Rainiers Monday afternoon at Cheney Stadium.

Nashville trailed 1-0 in the top of the eighth inning when a series of odd events helped them even the game. Four consecutive Sounds reached base without the benefit of a base hit. Andy Ibanez was hit by a pitch, Patrick Wisdom and Chase d’Arnaud drew walks to load the bases, and Tyler Pill was hit by a pitch to force in Ibanez from third to tie the game at 1-1.

Then it was Tacoma’s turn to score a run without collecting a hit. Sounds’ reliever Reed Garrett issued back-to-back walks to Tim Lopes and Ian Miller to start the bottom of the eighth inning. A deep fly ball to center moved Lopes to third, and Garrett uncorked a wild pitch to allow Lopes to score the go-ahead run.

Garrett came back to get Jose Lobaton on a fly out for the second out of the inning, but former Sound Jaycob Brugman gave the Rainiers some breathing room with a run-scoring double to make it a 3-1 game.

Matt Carasiti came in for Tacoma to pitch the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 inning to notch the save.

Nashville had countless opportunities throughout the game to put a dent in the scoreboard. Despite only six hits, the Sounds left 11 runners on base and went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. They left seven runners on base from the sixth through eighth inning.

Pedro Payano started for the Sounds and worked 4 2/3 innings. He got a no-decision and allowed one run on three hits. He struck out five and did not issue any walks.

Dan Altavilla earned the win in relief for Tacoma and Garrett was charged with the loss, his first with the Sounds.

The Sounds enjoy a league-wide off day Tuesday before returning to First Tennessee Park to begin a seven-game homestand Wednesday night against Las Vegas. Right-hander Tim Dillard (4-5, 4.60) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Jake Buchanan (3-4, 6.25) for the Aviators. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

– With today’s 3-1 loss, the Sounds dropped to 25-39 on the season.

– The series win over the Rainiers was the second series win of the season for Nashville (May 16-20 vs. Round Rock).

– First baseman Matt Davidson extended his on-base streak to 17 games with a single in the sixth inning.

– Starter Pedro Payano allowed 1 run in 4 2/3 innings. Nashville starters in the month of June have compiled a 3-1 record with a 3.27 ERA (41.1 IP/15 ER).

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 Coffee County CHS basketball[file photo]

The Lady Raiders opened up against perennial power Clarkrange.  Trailing by 3 with 7 minutes to go, Coffee County went to the bench and ended up taking a 47 to 35 loss.  Bella Vinson led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 10 points.  Kiya Ferrell added 8 points.  Coffee County closed out against Cookeville and rolled to a 49 to 32 win.  Bella Vinson and Jalie Reuhling led Coffee County in with 10 points each while Jenna Garretson added 9 points.

The JV team won their contest against Livingston Academy by 16 points.  Olivia Swain led the JV team in scoring with 12.    Coach Joe Pat Cope said that he wants his varsity squad to show more consistency in the Monday session.

The Coffee County teams return to Cookeville on Monday for the final day of the camp.  The Lady Raiders will play York Institute at 10 AM at the Hooper Eblen Center.  They close out the day with a noon game against Lakeway Christian in the Memorial Gym.   The JV Lady Raiders will take on Monterey at 11 AM in the Fitness Center.

CHS Red Raider basketball coach Micah Williams[file photo]

The Raiders got wins over Riverdale, Wilson Central and Eagleville.  Coach Micah Williams was pleased with how his team shared the ball on the offensive end of the floor and defending and rebounding on the defensive end.  Williams called out the outstanding play of Jaylon Wooten, Kyle Farless, Tyler Taylor, C.J. Anthony and Hayden Hullett.  He wants his team to get better in their transition defense as they continue the summer season.

The Red Raiders return to the court on Monday when they open a 2 day camp at MTSU.  The varsity team will play at noon on Monday when they take on Bosse, IN on the Murphy Center main floor.  The Raiders will tangle with Christian Academy of Louisville at 5 PM and Section, AL in the auxiliary gym at the Murphy Center at 7 PM.  The JV team will open up at 2 PM vs. Kingston before taking on Gilmer, GA at 6 PM before closing out the day at 7 PM.   All three of their games will be held at the MTSU Rec Center.

Three second half goals proved historic as Nashville Soccer Club earned its first-ever come from behind victory in club history 4-1 over Bethlehem Steel FC on Sunday evening in Philadelphia. After Bethlehem opened the scoring in the first half, Nashville scored the final four goals of the match, including forward Ropapa Mensah’s match-winner in the 63’ minute.

It was Bethlehem’s James Chambers who opened up the scoring in 24’ minute off a free kick just outside the box. Chambers bent the ball around Nashville’s wall and slotted it in the bottom right of the net.

Nashville answered just two minutes later from a set piece of their own as midfielder Lebo Moloto swung in a corner kick and Tribbett buried a header past the Steel keeper. It was Tribbett’s second goal of the season and Moloto’s third helper.

Nashville broke it open in the second half as Moloto again set up a goal. The South African midfielder sprung Mensah on a breakaway and the forward made no mistake of his shot as he blasted it into the net. Less than 10 minutes later, Nashville SC struck again as defender Kosuke Kimura cleaned up a rebound for his first goal in a Nashville uniform.

The final tally came from the foot of forward Cameron Lancaster, making his return to the field as a substitute after a month-long layoff due to injury. It was his third goal for Nashville SC in league play and fourth overall.

Here are three takeaways from the win.

1) Road Form Continues to Impress

Nashville SC has had an impressive road record so far in 2019 with a 4-1-3 record away from home following the victory on Sunday. The four wins on the road this season matches the club’s total in 17 road matches in 2018. Nashville’s 15 road points are among the most in the USL Championship this season.

2) Mensah Makes Impact as a Starter

Head coach Gary Smith wanted to reward forward Ropapa Mensah with a start after impressive performances against Indy Eleven and Charleston Battery in the team’s last two matches. The move paid off as Mensah recorded four shots, putting three on target, and scored the game-winner. It was Mensah’s third goal on the season to go along with two assists. His involvement in five goals is the second-most for the club behind forward Daniel Ríos’ eight.

3) Kimura Finds the Net

Defender Kosuke Kimura is a defensive force from the right back spot for Nashville SC. His veteran presence and endless stamina have been a massive asset to Gary Smith for years dating back to the pair’s days with the Colorado Rapids of MLS. That doesn’t mean that Kimura can’t provide a spark offensively. His goal to seal the win was his first for Nashville SC and first professionally since June of 2017.

Bonus: Lancaster Returns and Scores

Forward Cameron Lancaster has missed the last four Nashville SC matches due to an unlucky injury suffered in training. He made a triumphant return to the pitch and had an instant impact with a goal in his 24 minutes as a substitute. He now has four goals this season, the second-most on Nashville SC.

Up Next

With five consecutive league results in hand, Nashville SC will hit the road once again next weekend against Hartford Athletic. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Seth Maness and Wes Benjamin combined on a five-hitter Sunday afternoon, leading the Nashville Sounds to a 3-0 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers at Cheney Stadium. It marks the team’s first shutout win of the year, and its first winning series in Tacoma since 2002.

The Sounds, now 3-3 on their road trip, again got early home runs for a lead they never gave away. Eli White blasted a solo shot leading off the third against Anthony Misiewicz, and Jett Bandy belted a two-run shot in the fourth for a 3-0 score that became the final. White has four home runs on the road trip, and each time it has given the Sounds a 1-0 lead.

Maness tossed five innings of three-hit ball, walked one and struck out four in the win. He has worked at least five innings in all eight of his Sounds starts. Benjamin, making his first relief appearance since 2016, took over in the sixth and finished the game for his second career save. He yielded two hits, worked around four walks, and struck out four.

The Sounds go for the four-game sweep and conclude their seven-game road trip Monday afternoon. Pedro Payano (0-1, 5.63) will start against Jon Niese (3-1, 5.06). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 CT.

Post-Game Notes

Eli White has eight home runs on the year in 58 games. He hit a career-high nine in 130 games last season at Double-A.
Andy Ibanez went 0-for-4 to snap his hitting streak at a season-high eight games.
Matt Davidson went 0-for-3 with a walk, moving his on-base streak to 16 games but snapping his hitting streak at seven games.
The Sounds had been the only team in the Pacific Coast League yet to record a shutout win this year.
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.

Eli White and Patrick Wisdom each homered in the middle innings, and the Nashville Sounds never trailed on Saturday night, beating the Tacoma Rainiers 4-2 at Cheney Stadium. The Sounds have won the first two games of the four-game set and haven’t trailed at any point.

Esmerling Vasquez notched the win in his Sounds debut. He tossed five innings of shutout ball and was the beneficiary when White broke the scoreless tie with a two-out solo homer to left field in the sixth inning off Tyler Cloyd. Then Wisdom led off the seventh with a blast of his own to left off Matt Carasiti to make it 2-0.

After Tacoma managed an unearned run in the seventh off newcomer Werner Leal, the Sounds were given an unearned run in the eighth. Andy Ibanez doubled with two outs and later scored on a throwing error to put the Sounds ahead 3-1. The Rainiers fought back with a run in the eighth against Taylor Guerrieri, but the Sounds notched another insurance run in the ninth. Zack Granite bunted home Chase d’Arnaud with one out to make it 4-2, and Josh Fields faced the minimum in the ninth for his first save as a Sound.

The four-game series continues Sunday afternoon at 3:35 CT. Seth Maness (3-1, 4.24) is scheduled to pitch for the Sounds against Anthony Misiewicz (2-2, 5.55).

Post-Game Notes

Eight of the nine Sounds batters reached safely in the game.
Andy Ibanez has an eight-game hitting streak, the 4th time this year he’s a had a streak of five-plus.
Matt Davidson went 1-for-3 and has hit safely in seven straight and reached safely in 15 straight games.
The Sounds are 2-0 so far in the four-game series and haven’t won a series at Tacoma since 2002.

The Coffee County Red Raider basketball team opened up camp play on Thursday at Oakland.  The varsity Red Raiders went 1 and 2 on the day.  The JV team split their 2 contests winning one and losing one.

The varsity opened up with an excellent effort against Oakland battling them to the end before falling by 3 points.  Immediately following that game, Coffee had to cross the road to Oakland Middle to take on Siegel.  The Raiders dropped that contest to the talented Stars.  Coffee County bounced back to defeat Moore County.

Coach Micah Williams was pleased with the competitiveness of his squad.  “Our defense was much improved from last week” said Williams.  He called out the play of Tyler Taylor and C.J. Anthony.

On Friday, the Raiders open up at 10 AM against Riverdale at Oakland Middle before moving back to Oakland High at 2 PM for a game against Wilson Central.  They close the day with a 4 PM game against Eagleville at Oakland Middle.  The JV will play Stewarts Creek at 11 AM at Oakland Middle before finishing against Wilson Central at 3 PM in the Oakland High School Auxiliary gym.