Category: Sports

Offense Goes Quiet in Loss to New Orleans

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 and Friday Prep Schedule

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 Falls to Ooltewah

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 7th inning rally from Ooltewah dropped the Red Raiders 7 to 6.

The visiting Owls touched up Coffee County for 3 runs in the 1st inning.  Two more runs in the 3rd inning put Coffee County in a 5 to 1 hole.  But the always scrappy Raiders plated single runs in the 4th and 5th and took a 6 to 5 lead into the 7th after a 3 run outburst in the 6th inning.  A pair of Coffee County errors allowed the Owls to get the tying and winning runs in the top of the 7th 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 2nd 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.

CCMS Baseball Blanks South Franklin

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 5th 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.

CHS Netters Split Matches with Lawrence County

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.

CHS Soccer Rallies to Draw with Franklin County

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 2nd half to come away with the 3 to 3 tie.

Coffee County got on the board in the 13th 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 22nd 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 2nd goal in the 57th minute as he scored an unassisted tally to cut the deficit to 1.  Briggs Haithcock drilled home a penalty kick in the 66th 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.

Darkness Forces a Tie for Westwood Softball

Kara Beth Patton of Westwood softball[File Photo]

The Westwood softball team hosted Community on Thursday night at Lady Rocket Field.  The visiting Viqueens pushed the Lady Rockets to extra innings.  When darkness finally ended play, the Lady Rockets and Community were tied at 4 after 7 full innings of play.

Westwood led 3 to 0 entering the 6th inning but a pair of runs by Community in the 6th and 2 more in the 7th put the Lady Rockets in a 4 to 3 hole entering their last at-bat.  Brooklyn Blake scored on a sacrifice fly from Paisley Campbell in the bottom of the 7th inning to knot to score.  Community added 3 runs in the top of the 8th inning but the game was called due to darkness.

Kara Beth Patton led the Lady Rockets in hitting with 3 hits.  Haidyn Campbell added a double and a single.  Abby Clark had 2 RBI for Westwood.

The Lady Rockets will be back at home on Tuesday when they welcome Moore County to Lady Rocket Field.  First pitch is set for 5 PM.

Westwood Tennis Splits at Lewisburg

Caleb Simmons of Westwood tennis

The Westwood tennis teams hit the road on Thursday for a match at Lewisburg.  The Rockets fell 5 to 2.  The Lady Rockets won 6 to 1.

In the girls’ matches, Westwood got wins in singles play from Lauren Perry( 6 to 3), Rylea McNamara(6-1), Anna Johnson(6-4) and Gianna Bland(6-4).  The doubles teams of Perry/Johnson(6 to 1) and Addison Welch/McNamara(6-2) claimed wins over the Lady Tigers.

In the boys’ matches, Caleb Simmons needed to go to the tiebreaker to fight to a 7 to 6 win.  In doubles action, Caleb paired with Isaac Simmons to capture a 6 to 0 win.

Westwood returns to the court on Tuesday when they travel to St. Andrews-Sewanee.  Singles matches will get underway at 4 PM.

CCMS Softball Falls in Extra Innings to North Franklin

Olivia Evans of CCMS softball

The Coffee County Middle School softball welcomed North Franklin to the CCMS diamond on Thursday.  The Lady Raiders hosted the Lady Gators in a conference game originally scheduled for March 20th.  The Lady Raiders saw the visiting Lady Gators score 4 runs in the 6th inning to capture the 10 to 7 extra inning win over Coffee Middle.

The Lady Raiders needed 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to force extra innings.  North struck for 2 runs in the top of the first inning and added 2 more in the 4th and 2 more in the 5th to take a 6 to 3 lead into the bottom of the 5th.  A frantic Raider comeback forced extra innings, but North sent 8 batters to the plate scoring 4 runs in the 6th inning on 4 hits, 2 errors and a walk

The Lady Raiders were led in hitting by Olivia Evans who had 3 singles and scored twice.  . Kiya Ferrell added a double and a single as Coffee County finished with 9 hits.  The loss drops the Lady Raiders record to 6 and 3 on the year.

Coffee County is back at home on Wednesday when they play host to North in the second game of the season series.  First pitch is set for 5 PM at CCMS.

Westwood Baseball Falls at Forrest

Brady Nugent of Westwood baseball

The Westwood baseball team traveled to Chapel Hill on Thursday night for a conference match with Forrest.  Facing off against the traditionally strong Forrest squad, Westwood hoped to break their 3 game losing streak.  Despite an early 4 to 1 lead, Westwood fell to the Chapel Hill Rockets 14 to 4.

A pair of runs in the 1st inning staked Westwood to an early 2 to nothing lead.  Brady Nugent and Luke Beachboard earned walks and came around to score Westwood’s 1st inning runs.  In the 2nd inning, leadoff walks to Trey Brewer and Jonathan Nelson turned into the Rockets 3rd and 4th runs; helped in part by a RBI bunt from Nugent.  After that, Forrest scored in every inning, including 6 runs in the 6th inning to blow open the otherwise close game.  Nugent, Brewer and Nelson all finished with a pair of walks.

The Rockets travel to Fayetteville on Saturday for an afternoon conference matchup with Fayetteville City.  First pitch will be at 1 PM.