Category: Sports

Nick Martini drilled a three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning to lead the Nashville Sounds to a come-from-behind 7-5 win over the El Paso Chihuahuas Thursday night at Southwest University Park.

Things looked bleak for the Sounds who trailed 5-1 entering the seventh inning. Two-out magic was the theme of the night as Nashville used four straight baserunners in the seventh to draw within a pair of runs at 5-3. Jorge Mateo and BJ Boyd collected infield singles and Martini drew a walk before Ramon Laureano doubled down the left field line to make it a two-run game.

Ryan Dull faced the minimum in the bottom of the seventh to keep the game at 5-3. The comeback continued when Franklin Barreto started the eighth inning with a walk. After Bruce Maxwell flied out for the first out, Sheldon Neuse singled and Steve Lombardozzi walked to load the bases.

Jorge Mateo hit a sacrifice fly to right-center to make it a 5-4 game. El Paso turned to left-hander Tyler Webb to face Martini who hit the first pitch he saw down the right field line for a three-run homer and 7-5 lead for the Sounds.

Martini’s 2-for-4 night extended both his hitting and on-base streak. When he singled in the fifth, he extended his hitting streak to 16 games and the on-base streak to 47 games.

Dean Kiekhefer and Josh Lucas combined to strike out the side in the eighth, and Lucas worked the ninth to pick up his third save of the season. Jeremy Bleich and Ryan Dull combined for three shutout innings out of the bullpen with Dull picking up his first win of the season.

One night after combining to go 7-for-10 with 5 runs and 3 RBI, Martini and Laureano combined to go 4-for-8 with 5 RBI, 2 runs and 2 walks.

The third and final game of the series is scheduled for Friday night in El Paso. Left-hander Eric Jokisch (1-7, 4.95) starts for the Sounds against left-hander Dillon Overton (3-2, 2.50) for the Chihuahuas. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• With tonight’s 7-5 win, the Sounds improved to 31-33 on the season.
• Fran Riordan earned his 900^th career managerial win tonight.
• Nick Martini extended his consecutive on-base streak to 47 games when he singled in the fifth inning. Martini’s streak is the longest by a Nashville player in the Pacific Coast League era and is the longest active streak in Minor League Baseball. Since April 14, Martini has reached safely in every game he has played in. The single extended his hitting streak to a career-long 16 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.

The World Cup is coming back to North America. A vote held by FIFA nations in Moscow on Wednesday morning confirmed that the joint bid of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, dubbed “United 2026”, was successful in securing the bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

The United 2026 bid was chosen over the bid by Morocco in North Africa by a vote of many of the FIFA participating associations. United 2026 is the first time three countries have ever collaborated on a bid, and its success in winning the right to host the World Cup is a testament to how much soccer has grown in North America.

One example of that growth is in Nashville, one of the 17 finalist America host cities for the 2026 World Cup. That number will be whittled to 10 in the next few years, but with Nashville’s current soccer momentum, the city has as good a shot as any to host World Cup games. The city has proven itself already while hosting CONCACAF Gold Cup games, International Champions Cup and securing an MLS bid.

The 2026 World Cup will mark the first World Cup held on U.S. soil since 1994, which saw the U.S. advance out of its group before falling to Brazil, the eventual champions, in the Round of 16.

The 14^th annual Crethan Hansert Memorial Baseball Tournament gets underway Thursday morning at Powers Field.  First played in 2005, this year’s tournament will feature 9 American Legion 17U teams.  Opening festivities will include the presentation and recognition of local American Legion members and veterans.

The tournament pays homage to former Red Raider baseball player Crethan Hansert who passed away in 2003 as the result of an automobile accident. Proceeds from previous tournaments have gone to build and maintain the Crethan Hansert Hitting Facility at CHS and support the Coffee County Red Raider baseball team.

Nine teams make up the field for the tournament that runs from Thursday afternoon through Saturday. All the games will be played at Powers Field.

Day #3 of the MTSU Team Camp brought better results for the Coffee County Red Raider basketball team on Wednesday.  The varsity Red Raiders ended the day with a 2 and 1 record.  The JV Raiders captured a win in their final game of the night to come home with a 1 and 2 record.

The varsity Raiders fell in their opening game of the day to Loudon.  Coffee County bounced back to capture wins over Greeneville and Tallulah Falls, GA.  The JV team closed out the day with a 7 point win over South Greene.  The junior varsity squad dropped games to Greeneville and Riverdale earlier in the day.

The varsity Red Raiders have 3 games on Thursday and the JV will play 2 games in the final day of the 4 day camp.  All the games will be in the Murphy Center at MTSU.  The varsity team will open up against White House Heritage in Auxiliary Gym #2.  There will take on Murphysboro, IL at noon on the same court before closing out the camp at 2 PM on Murrphy Center’s main floor against Tallulah Falls, GA.  The JV will play both of their games in Auxiliary Gym #1.  THe JV takes on Huntland at 11 AM and Knoxville Webb at 1 PM.

Nashville sports fans are used to setting records, and it has been no different for the Season Ticket Members of Nashville SC. With over 6,110 Season Ticket Members, Nashville SC fans have set the United Soccer League’s inaugural season ticket record, continuing to propel the soccer movement in Nashville forward.
“Nashville Soccer Club continues to deliver a record-setting inaugural season,” said Nashville CEO Court Jeske. “This is a testament to the support of our ownership, the growth of our game, and most importantly the passion of our fans. Thank you to the fans that have started this journey with us, and to everyone else, know that we are not done yet. You can still get on board.”
The Season Ticket Member mark continues to grow with numerous season ticket packages remaining with 13 more USL home games on the schedule, including eight more in the #SummerOfSoccer. From Standing Room Only season tickets at $13 a game, to flex plans, fans have plenty of options to be a part of the best fan experience in the USL.
A four-game homestand will begin on June 16 at First Tennessee Park that will culminate in Nashville’s premier #SummerOfSoccer event on July 7 at Nissan Stadium featuring Nashville SC vs. FC Cincinnati. Tickets to that and all Nashville SC games are available at NashvilleSC.com.
Nashville SC is currently riding a 10-game unbeaten streak in all competitions dating back to April 14, which is the longest active unbeaten run in North American professional soccer.
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About Nashville SC
Nashville SC is Nashville’s professional soccer club and is competing in its inaugural season. For more information, visit NashvilleSC.com and follow the club at @NashvilleSC on Facebook, Twitter and
Instagram.

For the third consecutive game, the Nashville Sounds failed to protect an early lead and eventually dropped the series opener to the El Paso Chihuahuas, 7-6, Wednesday night at Southwest University Park.

Nashville had a 4-0 lead before El Paso evened the game at 4-4 and eventually took a 6-4 lead. The Sounds scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 6-6 before El Paso walked off with a 7-6 win in the home half of the inning.

Trailing 6-4 in the top of the ninth, Nick Martini sparked a rally with a leadoff single. Ramon Laureano doubled to left field to score Martini and make it 6-5 while taking third base on the throw. Franklin Barreto followed with a sacrifice fly to draw the Sounds even at 6-6.

Laureano gave his best effort to push the game to extra innings when he threw out pinch-runner Dusty Coleman at home while trying to score from second on base hit by Luis Urias in the bottom of the ninth. Moments later, El Paso’s Allen Craig lined a base hit off Bobby Wahl down the right field line to score Forrest Allday with the winning run.

It was the combination of Martini and Laureano that sparked Nashville’s early 4-0 lead. Martini homered in the second and Laureano doubled, and Martini doubled in the fifth while Laureano collected a single. The duo combined to go 7-for-10 with 5 runs scored and 3 RBI.

Ben Bracewell started for the Sounds and cruised through the first four innings before four consecutive hitters reached to start the fifth. Nashville’s 4-0 lead was quickly erased as all four scored to even the game at 4-4.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Thursday night in El Paso. Right-hander Edwin Jackson (0-1, 1.50) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Brett Kennedy (3-0, 3.16) for the Chihuahuas. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• With tonight’s 7-6 loss, the Sounds dropped to 30-33 on the season.
• The Sounds have lost four consecutive games, matching a season-long streak.
• Tonight’s walk-off loss was the first the Sounds have suffered in 2018.
• Nick Martini extended his consecutive on-base streak to 46 games when he hit a home run in the third inning. Martini’s streak is the longest by a Nashville player in the Pacific Coast League era and is the longest active streak in Minor League Baseball. Since April 14, Martini has reached safely in every game he has played in. The home run extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games.
• Right fielder Ramon Laureano recorded his first career four-hit game at the Triple-A level. Laureano had seven two-hit games prior to tonight’s 4-for-5 performance.

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 Coffee County Lady Raider basketball team ran their record to 14 and 2 for the summer as they captured another pair of wins on Tuesday in the Lady Raider Team Camp.  Coffee County got wins over Moore County and DeKalb County to finish the camp with a record of 4 and 0.  The JV Lady Raiders also won their 2 games.

In the day’s opening game, Coffee County blasted Moore County 55 to 23.  The Lady Raiders raced out to a 25 to 9 halftime lead and coasted home with the win as they led by double digits for most of the game.  Bella Vinson led Coffee County in scoring with 13 points as ten different Lady Raiders scored in the game.  Jacey Vaughn added 10 points and Abby Morgan and Morgan Jones each added 7.

In the day’s final game, Coffee County outlasted DeKalb County 37 to 32 in a physical game.  Coffee County got 18 points at the free throw line in the win.  Morgan led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 21 points as she was a perfect 12 for 12 at the free throw line and 10 for 10 in the 2^nd half.  Vaughn added 13 points.

After a practice day on Wednesday, Coffee County will head to West Tennessee to participate in the Lake County team camp on Thursday and Friday.  The Lady Raiders will end the summer season next Monday and Tuesday with 2 days at the MTSU camp.

The Coffee County 15U baseball team welcomed Tullahoma to Powers Field on Tuesday night.  Coming off a 20 run, 18 hit performance on Monday, Coach Parker Gunn told his players in the pregame that the Tullahoma game would be much tougher.  Gunn’s word was prophetic as Coffee County outdueled Tullahoma 5 to 3 in a 9 inning pitcher’s duel.

Wyatt Nugent got the start on the bump for Coffee County as he surrendered 2 runs over 6 innings to get the win.  Nugent pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the 2^nd inning without surrendering a run and tallied 4 strikeouts in the game.  Tristan Grissom came on in the 7^th and pitched 3 innings allowing only an unearned run to get the save.

Nugent also swung the hot bat at the plate as he was 4 for 4 with 2 RBI.  Brett Jones had 2 singles, scored once and drove in a run.  John McKelvey had a single and a walk while stealing 2 bases and scoring twice.

Coffee County’s 15U team is off until Wednesday, June 20^th when they host Shelbyville at Powers Field.  The 17U team will be in action in this weekend’s Crethan Hansert Memorial Baseball Tournament which will run from Thursday through Saturday at Powers Field.

A lack of consistency plagued the Red Raider basketball team on Tuesday in the 2^nd day of the MTSU Team Camp in Murfreesboro.  The Red Raiders finished the day going 1 and 2.  The JV team battled to a 2 and 1 record for the day.

The varsity dropped their first 2 games of the day.  The Red Raiders opened the day with a loss to South Greene out of east Tennessee.  In the 1 PM game, Coffee County fell to Skyline, AL.  Despite having strong stretches of play, the Raiders could not overcome periods of inconsistency.  Coffee County rallied to win the nightcap over North Jackson, AL.

The JV lost their first game of the day to the Riverdale JV.  Coffee County rallied to get wins over the Riverdale freshmen before closing out with a win over Tallulah Falls out of Georgia.

Coffee County returns to action on Wednesday with 3 games for the varsity and 3 games for the JV.  The varsity will take on Loudon at 1 PM, Greenville at 3 PM and Tallulah Falls, GA at 6 PM.  All 3 games will be in the Murphy Center.  The JV team opens up with a 2 PM game against Greeneville at the MTSU Rec Center before heading to the Murphy Center for a 5 PM game with Riverdale.  The JV will close out Wednesday’s action with an 8 PM game at the Rec Center against South Greene.  The Raiders will wrap up the team camp on Thursday.

The Coffee County CHS 17U baseball team welcomed Marion County to Powers Field on Monday night.  In a game scheduled for 7 full innings, it was 5 runs in the bottom of the 7^th that lifted the Red Raiders to the 10 to 5 win.  The 15U Raiders traveled to Shelbyville and tangled with the Eagles in a 9 inning contest.  The 15U Raiders banged out 18 hits as they captured a 20 to 12 win.

Marion County opened the scoring in the 17U game as they pushed across 3 runs in the top of the 2^nd inning.  Coffee County rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the 2^nd and 2 more in the bottom of the 3^rd inning to build a 4 to 3 lead.  The Raiders tacked on another run in the 4^th and carried a 5 to 3 lead into the 7^th.  Marion County added 2 runs with 2 outs in the top of the 7^th to tie the game before Coffee County used 2 errors to break the tie and then pounded out a pair of doubles and an inside-the-park home run to end the scoring.

Ryan Stephens had a single, a triple and that home run as he drove home 4 runs.  Owen Neel had a single and a double while scoring twice and knocking in a run.  Griffin Meeker had a single, reached on an error twice, stole 2 bases and scored twice.

In Shelbyville, John McKelvey, Jacob Sherrill and Braxton White combined on the mound to give the Raiders the win.  Wyatt Nugent, Nic Watkins, White and McKelvey each had 3 hits for Coffee County in the win.

The Coffee County Co 17U team travels to Jasper on Tuesday night for another 7 inning game against Marion County.  First pitch is set for 5 PM.  The Red Raider 15U team is at home on Tuesday as they play host to Tullahoma.  First pitch is set for 5 PM.