Category: Sports

Sarah West of Coffee County softball[File Photo]

West led Coffee County in batting average(.495), RBI(38), slugging percentage(.871) and was tied for the team lead in home runs(4) and walks(10).  West was selected as a utility player to the all-region team which mirrors her contributions for the Lady Raiders this past year.  “Sarah played 2^nd base, 1^st base, catcher and in the outfield for us this past year and is well deserving as an all-around player” said Lady Raider softball coach Brandon McWhorter.  McWhorter went on to add “Sarah had an excellent year and we are expecting bigger things from her in the future.  We are very proud of her.”

West, who has been actively recruited, made a verbal commitment to the University of the Cumberlands(Williamsburg, KY)  in May.  West was also selected to the Tennessean All-Midstate 2^nd team last month.  Sarah is the daughter of Chris and Beth West.

The Iowa Cubs spoiled the evening for 11,691 fans at First Tennessee Park by topping the Nashville Sounds, 6-2, Wednesday night. Three costly errors burned the Sounds as the third-largest crowd in ballpark history took in the game.

Nashville scored first as Ramon Laureano provided early fireworks with a two-run home run down the right-field line in the bottom of the first inning. Laureano’s seventh of the season came moments after Nick Martini extended his on-base streak to 64 games with a leadoff single.

The sloppy defense started shortly after Nashville took their 2-0 lead. Trey Martin started the second inning with a ground ball to short that Jorge Mateo misplayed. It came back to hurt starter Eric Jokisch after a single and groundout scored Martin to make it 2-1.

It remained 2-1 until the top of the fifth inning when Iowa’s Ryan Court evened the game with a run-scoring single to right field. With two on and two out, third baseman Jason Vosler cranked a three-run homer to right-center. It gave the Cubs a 5-2 lead and ended the night for Jokisch.

Wynton Bernard started the top of the sixth with a ground ball to third that Sheldon Neuse couldn’t handle. The third Nashville error of the game proved costly as Bernard stole second base and came in to score on a two-out single by Chesny Young.

Trailing 6-2, the Sounds loaded the bases in the seventh inning, but Martini flied out to left field to end the threat. Following six solid innings from starter Alec Mills, the Cubs used the bullpen trio of Carl Edwards Jr., Alberto Baldonado and Dakota Mekkes to shut down the Sounds the rest of the way.

Game two of the five-game series is scheduled for Thursday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander James Naile (5-7, 3.96) starts for the Sounds against left-hander Kyle Ryan (0-2, 2.43) for the Cubs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• With tonight’s 6-2, the Sounds dropped to 39-44 on the season.
• Nick Martini extended his consecutive on-base streak to 64 games with a single in the first inning. Martini’s streak is the longest by a Nashville player in the Pacific Coast League era and is the longest active streak in professional baseball. Since April 14, Martini has reached safely in every game
  he has played in with the Sounds. The 64-game on-base streak is the second-longest in professional baseball since at least 2009 when MLBAM began tracking the statistic.
• Martini’s single in the first inning extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

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.

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota gathered with some of his top targets in Nashville over the weekend for a throwing session.

The players – receivers and tight ends – worked together on Saturday and Sunday at an area football field.

Back in March, roughly a half-dozen players all joined Mariota in Los Angeles for workouts during a break. Many of the same players were involved in this weekend’s throwing session in Nashville as well.

Receivers Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor, Tajae Sharpe and tight Jonnu Smith were all part of the throwing session in California in March, and the players also spent time with tight end Delanie Walker on the West Coast. In addition to some of those players, others were also involved in the two-day workout this weekend in Nashville.

The Titans wrapped up their offseason work on June 13 with a minicamp practice. At the time, Mariota said he planned on spending some time in California before going back to Hawaii “and once July rolls around I start getting ready to go.”

Mariota said he planned on putting extra work in with the receiving corps before camp. Well, that started on June 30 with a two-hour throwing session, and the players were back on the field on the first day of July for roughly three hours.

“We’re going to kind of talk through that and see obviously what works for everybody,” Mariota said on June 13. “With that being said, it could be in the middle of the offseason, it could be toward the end. We’re just going to try to figure out what works for everybody.”

The Titans are scheduled to report to training camp on July 25, and the first practice is scheduled for July 26.

This offseason, players on offense have been getting used to a new system under the guidance of offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, while Mariota has worked with quarterbacks coach Pat O’Hara.

At the same time, players have continued to build further chemistry on the field.

A year ago, Mariota spent a good part of the offseason recovering from surgery. At the end of last month’s minicamp, Mariota said being able to focus on football all offseason has been “huge.”

“It’s been great for me because I’ve been able to be out here, get the full speed reps, basically just playing the game,” he said. “When you’re going through an offseason when you’re recovering, you get to training camp and the game seems a little bit faster, just because I think you didn’t have an opportunity during spring to be able to work on – just be out there and playing. To be able to have this offseason to be able to be out there with the guys, I think has been huge for me. I think when July rolls around I’ll be in a better spot.”

Mike Sullivan as an assistant wrestling coach last season[Photo used with permission]

“(Sullivan) possesses a strong knowledge of fundamentals and techniques that will be of great value to our student-athletes” said Koger.  Sullivan is originally from Tullahoma where he was a wrestler.   Sullivan, who lives in Estill Springs, completed his 1^st year of teaching last year at Cane Ridge where he helped coach a state champion this past season.  “I am looking forward, after what I saw last year and the development of the youth wrestling program, to working with some talented wrestlers” said Sullivan.

Coffee County head coach Roger Barlow was excited about adding Sullivan to the staff.  “I am really excited about having him on-board.  He is a good technical coach and a good solid guy” said Barlow.  Sullivan will join Barlow and returning assistant coach Jordan Snow, who is also from Tullahoma.  “Coach Sullivan coached several state qualifiers last year including a girls’ state champion” added Barlow.  “It will be good to have (a member of the staff) at the high school” said Barlow who teaches at the Raider Academy.

Zach Magwood[Photo courtesy of OntarioHockeyLeague.com]

Magwood, 20 (4/22/98), participated in the team’s 2018 Development Camp in Nashville, notching a hat trick in Friday’s Future Stars Game at Bridgestone Arena. He was fourth on the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts in points last season with 59 (27g-32a), his third campaign with the team. He set career highs in games played (65), goals (27), assists (32), points (59) and plus-minus (+27) at the OHL level and helped Barrie claim the Central Division title for the second time in three seasons. The 5-foot-10 center has 106 points (52g-54a) in 173 career OHL games for Barrie.

Never drafted, the Cambridge, Ont., native played his youth hockey in the Cambridge Hawks system and spent the 2014-15 season with the Cambridge Winter Hawks of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League before moving to Barrie. The Colts drafted him in the sixth round (113th overall) of the 2014 OHL Priority Selection.

The Nashville Sounds smashed three home runs and got 5 2/3 solid innings from Brett Anderson to beat the Omaha Storm Chasers 9-2 on Tuesday night at Werner Park. The Sounds ended their nine-game road trip with a 6-3 mark.

The Sounds broke open the game with a five-run third inning against Glenn Sparkman. Nick Martini drilled an opposite-field two-run homer to left to make it 2-0 and move his consecutive games on-base streak to 63. Then Jake Smolinski doubled home Steve Lombardozzi, and Melvin Mercedes smashed a two-run single to make it 5-0. Martini’s home run moved his consecutive games on-base streak to 63 in a row.

The Sounds hit two more homers in the fifth to chase Sparkman and break it open. Smolinski lined a solo shot to left, and Sheldon Neuse crushed one to left-center for a 7-0 lead. Omaha’s only two runs came in the bottom of the sixth against Anderson, who retired his first 11 batters, yielded four hits and struck out five in the win. Lombardozzi’s two-run single in the eighth gave the Sounds their 10^th hit and a 9-2 lead that became the final. Ryan Dull, J.B. Wendelken and Bobby Wahl combined for 3 1/3 hitless relief innings.

The Sounds return home to First Tennessee Park on Wednesday night to open a five-game series on the 4^th of July against the Iowa Cubs. Eric Jokisch (2-7, 4.45) faces his former team, and Clarksville native Alec Mills (3-8, 4.81) is scheduled to start for Iowa. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 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.

Coffee County Youth Wrestling will be sponsoring the 2018 Red Raider Wrestling Camp coming up on July 9th through the 13th.  The camp will run from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM each day at the Coffee County Raider Academy Gym.  The camp is open to boys and girls in grades K thru 8th grade for the upcoming school year.  Cost for the camp is $45 per wrestler and there is a sibling discount when signing up multiple family members.  Each camper will receive a free camp t-shirt.

The camp will be led by wrestling coaches, CHS wrestlers and former Red Raider wrestlers.  Campers will get to learn in a non-competitive environment with kids their same age, weight, and size.  Campers should wear shorts & t-shirt and AVOID baggy or loose clothing.   Campers that have wrestling shoes are encouraged to bring them but wrestling shoes are not needed.  Campers are asked to bring with them an extra t-shirt, water, a snack and a good attitude.

If you have questions, or would like to pre-register, email Randall Jennings at: jenningsr@k12coffee.net

The Omaha Storm Chasers swept the Nashville Sounds in a doubleheader at Werner Park Monday night. The bats went quiet as Nashville was shut out in game one, 7-0, before dropping game two, 6-3.

Omaha starter Jake Kalish was the story of game one as the left-hander blanked the Sounds in a complete-game shutout. The southpaw scattered seven hits and induced three ground ball double plays to help his cause.

The lone bright spot for Nashville came immediately when Nick Martini singled on the first pitch of the game to extend his on-base streak to 61 games. Anthony Garcia added a double in the first but Kalish worked out of the jam.

A four-run third inning busted open the game for the Storm Chasers. Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert launched a three-run homer to give Kalish more than enough run support.

Game two was much of the same as Nashville’s offense went quiet until late in the game. Omaha jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first on four singles and two walks against Sounds’ starter Ben Bracewell.

The 3-0 lead went to 6-0 in the fifth inning when Ryan O’Hearn drilled a solo blast and Humberto Arteaga launched a two-run homer.

Ramon Laureano drilled a solo homer and Bruce Maxwell knocked in a run with a single in the sixth to cut the deficit to 6-2. The Sounds loaded the bases with one out in the seventh but only mustered one run in the final frame.

The fifth and final game of the series is scheduled for Tuesday night at Werner Park. Left-hander Brett Anderson (1-1, 2.70) starts for Nashville against right-hander Glenn Sparkman (4-0, 3.78) for Omaha. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• With tonight’s 7-0 loss and 6-3 loss, the Sounds dropped to 38-43 on the season.
• Nick Martini extended his consecutive on-base streak to 62 games with hits in both games tonight. Martini’s streak is the longest by a Nashville player in the Pacific Coast League era and is the longest active streak in professional baseball. Since April 14, Martini has reached safely in every game
  he has played in with the Sounds. The 62-game on-base streak is the second-longest in professional baseball since at least 2009 when MLBAM began tracking the statistic.
• Bruce Maxwell went 3-for-3 in game two of the doubleheader – his first three-hit game of 2018.

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.

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club returns to First Tennessee Park for a five-game homestand on Wednesday, July 4. The Sounds welcome the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, the Iowa Cubs, for a five-game series from July 4-8.

Below is a preview for each game of the homestand:

Wednesday, July 4 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Wear It Wednesday Bobby Wahl T-Shirt Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans – presented by Middle Tennessee Hyundai Dealers.
• Pre-game skydivers will land on the field at First Tennessee Park prior to the national anthem performed by Nashville recording artist April Kry.
• First Tennessee Park and Hap & Harry’s unveils a Nashville Sounds Tennessee Kolsch Golden Ale.
• The Sounds will wear their camouflage jerseys in honor of Independence Day.
• Post-game fireworks presented by Nashville International Airport.

Thursday, July 5 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Celebrate Independence Day with the all-you-can-eat Club Level picnic that includes Budweiser and Bud Light draft beer, soda, water and tea for $55 per person.
• 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, July 6 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• FOX 17 News post-game superhero-themed fireworks presented by Koorsen Fire & Security.

Saturday, July 7 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.

• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Superhero Jersey Auction benefiting Gilda’s Club. 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 Saturday at the Park with visits to The Band Box and our Family Fun Zone in the right field corner.

 Sunday, July 8 vs. Iowa – 6:15 p.m.

• Gates open at 5:15 p.m.
• Booster superhero bobblehead giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
• Superhero character appearances.
• Hyundai pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players from 5:15 to 5:30 p.m.
• Military Sunday Family Fun Day – The Sounds extend their military appreciation by wearing special military jerseys on the field and offering discounted reserved section tickets for active and veteran men, women and families – subject to availability.
• Post-Game Kids Run the Bases (12 & under) presented by First Tennessee.

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 box office; no phone orders).

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.