Category: Sports

The schedule for the 14^th annual Crethan Hansert Memorial Baseball Tournament has been released.  First played in 2005, this year’s tournament opens play on Thursday at Central High School’s Powers Field for 17U high school teams.  The tournament honors former Red Raider 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.

The offense faltered for the Nashville Sounds Thursday night as they suffered a 7-1 setback to the Reno Aces their series finale.

The Sounds found themselves in an early hole before stepping up to the plate and never provided any resistance. A sacrifice fly from Socrates Brito followed by a two-run blast from Kevin Cron off starter Ben Bracewell put Nashville behind the eight-ball 3-0 in the first inning. Cron found his home run swing again in the seventh inning of reliever Carlos Ramirez. The Aces’ first baseman turned on a 1-2 fastball and deposited it into the berm in left center field to extend Reno’s lead to 7-0.

Sandwiched in between the two Cron homers, Reno lit up the scoreboard with run-scoring doubles from Ildemaro Vargas in the second inning and Brito in the fifth inning.

Meanwhile the Sounds’ offense was stagnant against Reno starter Jake Buchanan for six innings. They finally broke through against the right-hander in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ramón Laureano singled to begin the frame and came around to score on a bloop single from Beau Taylor. Buchanan finished with the lone run allowed on six hits with no walks and seven punch outs.

Nashville threatened in the eighth inning as the Sounds loaded the bases with just one out but Jake Smolinski grounded into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play.

The Sounds begin a four-game series against the Tacoma Rainiers Friday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Chris Bassitt (2-3, 6.10) starts for the Sounds against left-hander Ross Detwiler (0-0, 0.00) for the Rainiers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• With tonight’s 7-1 loss, Nashville dropped to 29-29 on the season.
• Sounds starter Ben Bracewell made his second start of the season for Nashville…he allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
• The Sounds’ season-long six-game home run streak came to an end.
• Nashville is now 60-41 against the Pacific Conference since 2015.
• For just the second time since Reno joined the Pacific Coast League in 2009, the Aces took a series from the Sounds. Nashville is now 7-6-2 in series this season.

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.

Ten for ten!  Not only did the Coffee County Lady Raider basketball team win their 10^th straight summer contest on Wednesday, they captured the championship trophy in the Ravenwood Summer Classic.  The Lady Raiders roared thru the tournament finals bracket on Wednesday as they dropped Centennial 47 to 34 in the finals.

In the finals, Coffee County rolled out to a 28 to 15 lead at the half to coast home to the title.  Abby Morgan and Bella Vinson each poured in 15 points to lead Coffee County in scoring.  Jacey Vaughn added 8 points and Jenna Garretson scored 5.

In the quarterfinals on Wednesday morning, Coffee County opened up with a 57 to 41 win over Summit.  Morgan led Coffee County in scoring with 24 points.  Vaughn poured in 17 points behind three 3 point baskets.  Vinson added 13 points.

In the semifinals, Coffee County slugged their way to a 43 to 29 win over Franklin.  The Lady Raiders drilled four 3 point baskets in the first half to build a 21 to 13 halftime cushion.  Vinson was the leading scorer for the Lady Raiders as she finished with 15 points.  Morgan and Vaughn each added 11 points.

Coffee County will travel to Eagleville on Thursday for a pair of scrimmage games with Clay County and Nolensville.  The Lady Raiders return home on Monday and Tuesday as they will host a team camp at CHS.  The Lady Raiders will close out the summer preseason workouts with a camp at Lake County next Thursday and Friday before closing out summer workouts on June 18th and 19th at MTSU for a team camp.

Head coach Joe Pat Cope will be a guest on Saturday’s Coffee Coaches Show to talk about the summer season so far.  The Coffee Coaches Show is broadcast each and every Saturday morning LIVE from the showroom of Al White Ford/Lincoln.  The Coffee Coaches Show is heard exclusively here on Thunder Radio beginning at 10 AM.

It was another U.S. Open Cup upset as United Soccer League side Nashville SC downed the Colorado Rapids 2-0 at Vanderbilt Stadium Wednesday night. A first-half own goal from Rapids midfielder Micheal Azira and a second-half header from Nashville forward Ropapa Mensah.

Little separated Nashville and Colorado in the first half, as the sides spent time exchanging possession with few runs of threatening play. But Nashville looked up to the task early, playing a high press and looking forward in attack.

Colorado’s best opportunity to go in front came in the 25th minute when Dillon Serna whipped in a dangerous cross from the left flank, but the danger was punched away by former Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens for Nashville.  In the 32nd minute, Rapids midfielder Sam Nicholson had an open opportunity on goal, but his shot went well wide of the mark.

After weathering the early chances, Nashville went in front in the 38th minute as Justin Davis’ cross deflected off Rapids midfielder Micheal Azira for an own goal, putting the hosts up 1-0.

Despite Colorado controlling 55 percent of the first-half possession and neither side able to put a shot on target, the hosts held onto the 1-0 advantage as both teams entered halftime.

Nashville carried momentum into the start of the second half. A through ball was played in to Lebo Moloto, but his shot was saved by Rapids ‘keeper Zac MacMath.

Nashville doubled its lead in the 78th minute, however, as Liam Doyle crossed a ball in to Mensah, who headed in the effort to extend the hosts’ lead to 2-0.

The Nashville SC defense remained organized and composed throughout the match. The backline and Matt Pickens didn’t allow a single Colorado shot to go on target and limited the Rapids to just three shots in total.

With the win, Nashville advances to the 5th round of the U.S. Open Cup. It also extended Nashville’s unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions and puts the club in the final 16 teams in the Open Cup.

Nashville SC will head back on the road for the final time in June in USL when it travels to Tampa Bay for a Saturday night showdown with the Rowdies. Gametime is at 6:30 p.m. CT.

QUICK NOTES

– It’s the first competitive win against an MLS team for Nashville SC.

– The win extends Nashville’s unbeaten run to nine games dating back to April 14. The team has allowed just four goals in 9 games.

– Ropapa Mensah scored on his first touch after coming in at the 78’ minute. The goal is his 4^th on the year, the most on the team.

– The shutout is Matt Pickens’ first in the Open Cup but his 7^th in 2018 in all competitions

– The own goal scored by Colorado is the first in a Nashville SC game this season.

– Nashville SC will find out who it plays in the 5^th round tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. with the U.S. Soccer’s draw

Starter James Naile fired seven innings of one-run ball to lead the Nashville Sounds to a 5-1 win over the Reno Aces in front of 6,973 fans at First Tennessee Park Wednesday night.

Naile picked up his team-high fifth win of the season and dropped his ERA to 3.57 as he scattered five hits over his seven frames. He did not walk a batter and struck out five.

The right-hander’s strong effort was backed by big offensive nights from Jake Smolinski and Sheldon Neuse. Smolinski drilled his seventh home run of the season and finished 3-for-4 while Neuse added a season-high three hits.

Reno’s Socrates Brito gave Naile his only blemish in the first inning when he launched a solo home run into the right field seats.

The Sounds bounced back with a pair of runs in the second inning and were in control the rest of the night. Franklin Barreto started the bottom of the second with a booming triple to right field and was followed by three consecutive singles to give Nashville a 2-1 lead.

Smolinski’s solo blast in the third extended the Sounds’ lead to 3-1, and Neuse’s RBI single in the fourth scored Beau Taylor to make it a 4-1 game. Taylor finished with a pair of hits and two runs scored.

Ramon Laureano started the bottom of the seventh with a walk and moved to third on Smolinski’s third hit of the night, a double down the left field line. Anthony Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Sounds a 5-1 lead.

Josh Lucas and Jeremy Bleich followed Naile on the mound. Lucas tossed a 1-2-3 eighth with a pair of strikeouts and Bleich followed with a perfect ninth to close the door.

The third and final game of the series is scheduled for Thursday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Ben Bracewell (0-1, 7.20) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Jake Buchanan (3-5, 4.60) for the Aces. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• With tonight’s 5-1 win, Nashville improved to 29-28 on the season.
• Tonight’s win improved the Sounds’ home record to 19-11 – the third-best mark in the PCL.
• When Jake Smolinski homered in the third inning, it marked the sixth consecutive game the Sounds have hit at least one home run. It matched a season-high.
• Third baseman Sheldon Neuse notched his first three-hit game of the season. He boosted his average from .183 to .195 with his 3-for-4 showing.
• Starter James Naile picked up his team-leading fifth win and fifth quality start of the season.

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 put their unbeaten record on the line on Tuesday in the Ravenwood playday.  Coffee County captured wins over Antioch and Independence to run their summer record to 7 and 0.  The Lady Raiders will open bracket play Wednesday morning at Ravenwood at 11 AM in the final day of the 3 day team camp.

Coffee County will travel to Eagleville on Thursday for a pair of scrimmage games with Clay County and Nolensville.  The Lady Raiders return home on Monday and Tuesday as they will host a team camp at CHS.  The Lady Raiders will continue the summer preseason workouts with a camp at Lake County next Thursday and Friday before closing out summer workouts on June 18th and 19th at MTSU for a team camp.

Head coach Joe Pat Cope will be a guest on Saturday’s Coffee Coaches Show to talk about the summer season so far.  The Coffee Coaches Show is broadcast each and every Saturday morning LIVE from the showroom of Al White Ford/Lincoln.  The Coffee Coaches Show is heard exclusively here on Thunder Radio beginning at 10 AM.

The Coffee County Red Raiders finished up play in the White County team camp on Tuesday. The varsity squad was 2 and 1 in a trio of games.  The JV team dropped both of their contests.

The Coffee County varsity edged Van Burean County by 1 point in the opener.  In the 2nd game, a Darius Rozier 3 pointer just ahead of the final horn gave the Red Raiders their second straight dramatic win this time over Kingston.  The Red Raiders closed out the day with a loss to Clarkrange.  The JV team dropped decisions to Warren County and Clay County on Tuesday.

The Red Raiders will travel to Murfreesboro for the 4 day MTSU camp on Monday, June 11th thru Thursday, June 14th.  Coffee County will host Cannon County and Moore County on June 22nd at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.

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

A late comeback attempt fell short for the Nashville Sounds in a 4-3 loss to the Reno Aces in front of 9,191 fans at First Tennessee Park Tuesday night.

Nashville left fielder BJ Boyd’s two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning brought the Sounds within a run, but that’s as close as it would get.

The Sounds made two outs at the plate over the final two innings. Jorge Mateo was thrown out by right fielder Socrates Brito in the eighth, and Beau Taylor was thrown out at the dish to end the game in the ninth.

Starters Alex Young for Reno and Eric Jokisch of Nashville were locked in a pitchers’ duel for three innings as both left-handers put up zeroes across the board.

Socrates Brito struck out to start the fourth, but he reached first on a wild pitch by Jokisch. It came back to hurt when Brito stole second base and came in to score on a base hit by Yasmany Tomas.

Consecutive singles by Nick Martini and Ramon Laureano started a rally for the Sounds in the bottom half of the inning. After both runners moved up 90 feet on a fly out, Anthony Garcia evened the game at 1-1 with an RBI groundout.

The tie game was short-lived as Reno started the fifth with a double by Michael Perez and a walk to Tyler Ladendorf. Perez scored when Ildamaro Vargas reached on an error by Sounds first baseman Steve Lombardozzi. Brito plated Ladendorf with a fielder’s choice and Vargas scored on a sacrifice fly to extend Reno’s lead to 4-1.

Young was tough on Nashville from the start. He picked up the win after he allowed one run on two hits in six innings. Jokisch was tagged with the loss after he allowed four runs (three earned) in six innings.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Wednesday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander James Naile (4-5, 3.84) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Bradin Hagens (2-2, 6.21) for the Aces. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Post-Game Notes

• With tonight’s 4-3 loss, Nashville dropped to 28-28 on the season.
• Nick Martini extended his consecutive on-base streak to 43 games when he singled in the fourth inning. Martini’s streak is the longest by a Nashville player in the Pacific Coast League era. It’s the longest active streak in the Pacific Coast League. Since April 14, Martini has reached safely in every game he has played in.
• With his fourth inning single, Martini extended his hitting streak to a career-long 12 games.
• Nashville starter Eric Jokisch threw a career-high 115 pitches in his outing.

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.