Category: Sports

Sarah West of CHS volleyball

The Coffee County CHS volleyball team welcomed Eagleville to Central High School on Wednesday for a non-district match in front of the student body. The Lady Raiders pushed the always tough Lady Eagles to a full 5 sets before falling to the Eagles. Eagleville dropped Coffee County 20-25, 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 11-15.

Coffee County was led in kills by Sarah West who had 12 kills. Lexi Bryan added 8. Amanda Mukai paced the Lady Raiders in service aces as she notched 5 and led the team is assists with 33. Keelie Hillis led Coffee County in blocks with 3 while Tyana Fenton had 21 digs for the Lady Raiders.

Coffee County returns to district play on Thursday when they travel to Shelbyville to take on the Eaglettes. First serve is set for 6 PM.

The Nashville Predators announced the complete schedule and roster for their 2017 training camp, which will begin with physicals and a team meeting on Thursday, Sept. 14 with the team’s first organized practice set for Saturday, Sept. 16 at 9:45 a.m. CT at Centennial Sportsplex. Dates, times and roster are subject to change. The Predators’ rookie camp is also scheduled to begin on Thursday, Sept. 7 with an on-ice session at Centennial Sportsplex.

Nashville’s three-week training camp is headlined by six preseason games, including a two-game set (3:30 and 7 p.m.) on Tuesday, Sept. 19 against the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators will then hit the road to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. Nashville returns home to face the Blue Jackets on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. and will wrap up the preseason with a 7 p.m. contest against the Lightning on Saturday, Sept. 30.

All training camp sessions – with the exception of a 2 p.m. scrimmage at Ford Ice Center on Sept. 17 – will be held at Centennial Sportsplex.

Training camp will be attended by 54 players – 45 players are under contract with Nashville and nine are on American Hockey League contracts with Milwaukee or are attending on an amateur or professional tryout. Nashville’s training camp roster will consist of 30 forwards, 19 defensemen and five goalies and is available by clicking here.

The Predators’ rookie camp is also scheduled to begin on Thursday, Sept. 7 with an on-ice session at Centennial Sportsplex. A total of 22 players – 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies, comprised of Predators prospects and amateur or professional tryouts – will compete in a four-team rookie tournament hosted at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida, from Sept. 9-12. The Lightning, Panthers and Washington Capitals will also compete in the tournament. Nashville’s rookie camp roster can be viewed by clicking here and all rookie camp tournament games will be streamed live on NashvillePredators.com.

Single-game tickets for the 2017-18 season are now available, with a very limited number of full, half and mini season-ticket plans still available for purchase. The Loyal Legion 10-Game Plan presented by Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant is also now on sale and is the most flexible package ever offered, allowing the busier fan to attend games that fit their schedule and budget. The package includes a $20 gift card that can be redeemed at all Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant brands. All season-ticket packages are available with interest-free payment plans. To order season tickets, visit NashvillePredators.com/seasons or contact a ticket representative at 615-770-7800.

Rookie Camp/Training Camp Schedule:

Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. – Rookie ice

Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. – Rookie ice

Sept. 9 at 3:30 p.m. – Rookie tournament game vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m. – Rookie tournament game vs. Florida Panthers

Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. – Rookie tournament game vs. Washington Capitals

Sept. 15 at 7 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – On-ice testing (veteran players first)
•10 a.m. – Media availability for players tested early
•1 p.m. – Media availability for players tested late

Sept. 16 at 9:15 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. – Group A goalies on ice
•9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – Group A team on ice
•11:15 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. – Group B goalies on ice
•11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Group B team on ice

Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. – Scrimmage at Ford Ice Center

Sept. 18 at 9:15 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. – Group A goalies on ice
•9:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – Group A team on ice
•11:15 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. – Group B goalies on ice
•11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Group B team on ice

Sept. 19 at 3:30 p.m. – Game vs. Florida Panthers (Bridgestone Arena)
•7 p.m. – Game vs. Florida Panthers (Bridgestone Arena)

Sept. 20 at 10:15 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. – Group A goalies on ice
•10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Group A team on ice
•12:15 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. – Group B goalies on ice
•12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Group B team on ice

Sept. 21 at 10:15 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. – Group A goalies on ice
•10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Group A team on ice
•12:15 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. – Group B goalies on ice
•12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Group B team on ice

Sept. 22 at 10:30 a.m. – Game players to Centennial
•6:30 p.m. – Game at Tampa Bay Lightning

Sept. 23 at 9:15 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. – Group A goalies on ice
•9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Group A team on ice
•12:15 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. – Group B goalies on ice
•12:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Group B team on ice

Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. – Game at Columbus Blue Jackets

Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. – Practice at Centennial

Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. – Practice at Centennial

Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m. – Morning skate at Centennial
•7 p.m. – Game vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (Bridgestone Arena)

Sept. 29 at 12 p.m. – Practice at Centennial

Sept. 30 at 10:30 a.m. – Morning skate at Centennial
•7 p.m. – Game vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Bridgestone Arena)

Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. – Practice at Centennial

Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. – Practice at Centennial

Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. – Practice at Centennial

Throughout the early portion of his career, Cole Hamels frequently helped the Phillies make a push toward the postseason with a strong start against the Braves. His bid to do the same for the Rangers on Wednesday night at SunTrust Park unraveled during a five-run second inning that proved decisive in Texas’ 5-4 loss.

Provided the chance to help the Rangers sweep a doubleheader and move within a game of the American League’s second Wild Card spot, Hamels was undone by a few of his own mistakes during the second inning, which was capped by Freddie Freeman’s two-run double. The Rangers’ southpaw retired 11 of the final 13 batters he faced, but allowed five runs (four earned) and six hits over six innings.
“Putting a five-spot is definitely not the right way to go about it,” Hamels said.
With just their third loss in the past nine games, the Rangers fell two games behind the Twins, who currently sit in the AL’s second Wild Card spot. Rangers manager Jeff Banister said the team must put the loss behind them before a crucial series vs. the Yankees begins Friday.
“We have to continue to play good baseball by showing up, pitching well and playing all facets of the game,” Banister said.
After being outscored, 12-8, in the first game of the twin bill, the Braves turned to Julio Teheran, who matched a career high with five walks, but limited the Rangers to three earned runs over five innings. Teheran surrendered Nomar Mazara’s one-out, two-run homer in the third inning, then hit Carlos Gomez ahead of a Joey Gallo walk. He escaped unscathed when Rougned Odor grounded into an inning-ending double play.
“I kind of was a little careful because I didn’t want to make a mistake,” Teheran said. “Five walks, it’s a lot, but I didn’t want to just throw the ball over the middle of the plate so they could hit it.”
Exactly a week after tallying eight hits during a doubleheader in Philadelphia, Braves leadoff hitter Ender Inciarte totaled five hits in this one. He highlighted his two-hit performance in the nightcap by fueling the second-inning eruption with an RBI single.
“It was good we got the offense early in the game,” Teheran said. “It’s good to have that offense so that you can relax a little bit. I knew I was facing a really good team, and they showed it. They made me throw a lot of pitches.”
Hamels issued a four-pitch walk to Nick Markakis to begin the bottom of the second, then hit Kurt Suzuki with a two-strike curveball. Dansby Swanson followed by driving in the game’s first run with a single. The Rangers’ veteran pitcher fueled the eruption by fielding Teheran’s bunt and sailing his throw to second into center field. Suzuki scored on the play and the Braves followed with three consecutive hits, including Freeman’s double off the left-center field wall.
“It’s definitely not finishing guys off,” Hamels said. “When I get two strikes, for some odd reason, I can’t locate a pitch in a better area to where I can at least get a punchout or a weak ground ball. I have just not been able to locate it.”
Delino DeShields opened the top of fifth with a sinking liner that a diving Markakis caught in right field. Mazara delivered a one-out single and scored on Gomez’s double off the center-field wall. With two left-handed hitters coming to the plate, Teheran then issued consecutive walks to get to the right-handed Robinson Chirinos, who popped out to second baseman Ozzie Albies.
Lefty Sean Newcomb will take the mound when the Braves and Marlins begin a four-game series at SunTrust Park on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. CT. Newcomb has allowed three earned runs or fewer in seven of his past eight starts.

Tyana Fenton of CHS volleyball

The Coffee County CHS volleyball team welcomed Warren County and Grundy County to the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym on Tuesday for a 3 team round-robin.  Coffee County split their 2 matches, getting a win over Grundy County in the nightcap after falling to Warren County in the first game.  The Lady Raiders were swept by Warren County by set scores of 25 to 11 and 25 to 10.  In the match against Grundy County, Coffee County won by set scores of 25-15 and 25 -21.

The Lady Raiders had few answers for Warren County as the Lady Pioneers played mistake free volleyball.  Coffee County was held to 1 ace and 3 kills on the evening.  Tyana Fenton had the ace for the Lady Raiders and also led the team in digs with 6.  Keelie Hills and Alliyah Williams each had a block and a kill.

Against Grundy County, in a match you heard here on Thunder Radio as part of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series, Coffee County was able to empty the bench in the straight set win.  The Lady Raiders rebounded for 23 kills against the Lady Jackets as they dominated at the net.  Coffee County also had 9 aces in the 2 set match.  Odalis Garcia had 6 kills to lead the Lady Raiders while Lexi Bryan and Hillis each scored 5 kills.  Fenton again led Coffee County in aces with 3.  Amanda Mukai led the team in assists with 14.

Coffee County is back in action on Wednesday as they take on Eagleville at 1 PM at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.  The match will be held in front of the CHS student body.  Opening serve is set for 1:30 PM.

Download a copy of the broadcast at: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/

Rain and stormy weather forced the postponement of several prep events on Tuesday.

The Westwood, Coffee County Middle School and Coffee County Central High School cross country teams were all scheduled to run in McMinnville at Warren County High School.  Stormy weather forced the race to be cancelled, no date has been announced for a make up.  All three teams will be in action on Thursday when they travel to Sewanee to compete in the St. Andrews meet.  First race is set for 4 PM.

The Coffee County Middle School football game with South Franklin was postponed until Thursday night.  That game will be celebrated as Homecoming for the middle school.  The game will kick off at 6:30 PM on Thursday night at Carden-Jarrell Field.

The Coffee County CHS soccer team had their match with Lincoln County postponed on Tuesday.  That district match will now be held on Monday, September 25th.  That match will kick-off at 6 PM at the Raider Soccer Field.

The Westwood Lady Rocket soccer team had their home match with Fayetteville rained out on Tuesday.  A makeup date has not been set for the conference match. The Lady Rockets are back in action on Thursday at 5 PM when they visit St. Andrews-Sewanee.

The Coffee County golf team had their tournament in McMinnville rained out on Monday.  No word yet on any date for a possible reschedule.  The Raider linksters will travel to Winchester on Thursday for a match at Bear Trace.  That 9 hole match begins at 4 PM.

As always, Thunder Radio will keep you updated on any cancellations and reschedule dates.

by Jim Wyatt – Senior Writer/Editor – TitansOnline.com

The Titans, like every other team across the NFL, have had roughly four months to prepare their rookies for the regular season.

Now it’s time to turn them loose.

In Sunday’s season opener against the Raiders, the Titans will be counting on several 2017 draft picks right out of the gate.

“They don’t have any more time,” Titans coach Mike Mularkey said. “It’s not like you can go ‘Hey give me two more weeks.’ They’ve got to be ready to go.’ Other than Corey (Davis), they’ve gotten plenty of snaps to see the speed of the game. If anything, trust their ability, trust our plan. We have a good plan, we have rules for everything. Don’t make it faster than it already is. It’s a fast game and I think they understand that. Corey (Davis) is a guy that’s going to have to get his feet wet, and the sooner he can the better he’ll be.”

In addition to Davis, the fifth overall pick of the NFL Draft, the Titans have a number of other rookies expected to play key roles this season.

Receiver Taywan Taylor, a third-round draft pick from Western Kentucky, led the Titans in receiving yards (8 catches, 145 yards, 18.1-yard average) during the preseason, and he’s already earned the trust of quarterback Marcus Mariota. Tight end Jonnu Smithhas made steady progress since May as well. On Monday, Mularkey raved about him.

“I’ve been very pleased with his blocking,” Mularkey said of Smith, a third-round pick from Florida International. “He is a tough kid, he is a tough player. He’s done well. I have no concerns putting him up and blocking the point for us, I don’t.”

Defensively, linebacker Jayon Brown was a playmaker during training camp, and he led the team in tackles (13) during the preseason. He’s earned the chance to contribute early. Adoree’ Jackson could be a factor in the defense, in addition to his work on special teams.

“I feel like the coaching staff and the younger guys did a great job of helping me out this preseason, getting my mind right and giving me confidence to play in this defense,” said Brown, a fifth round pick out of UCLA.

“(The preseason helped) big time, getting a feel for the defense and getting used to playing with the older guys, my teammates. Now against the Raiders it’s live bullets. But getting a feel for the defense and knowing what I can get away with and what I can’t get away with and learning from my mistakes in the run game and passing game, it helped get me ready.”

Mularkey indicated last week Jackson, selected 18th overall out of USC, put himself in position to handle punt returns.

How much else he’ll do remains to be seen. Jackson started the final two games of the preseason at cornerback, and also gained experience on kickoff returns.

“I’ll leave it up to coach, and whatever he decides is in the best interest of the team,” Jackson said. “I can’t complain and whenever my number is called I’ll go out and try and make plays.

“(But) I am excited for my first regular season game in the NFL.”

Davis said he’s fired up as well.

Slowed during training camp with a hamstring injury, Davis returned to practice last week. He worked out on the field in pregame warmups prior to the final preseason game against the Chiefs, and he was on the practice field on Monday as the Titans began preparing for the Raiders.

Davis knows it’s almost go time, and he’s ready to go.

In all, seven of the team’s nine draft picks made the 53-man roster. The group also includes offensive lineman Corey Levin and linebacker Josh Carraway.

“I’m ready to prove my worth any way possible,” Davis said. “I am ready to go out there and compete, and when I get out there I want to make the most of it. … It’s Week One, and this is when it counts. This is what you work for.

“I am amped. I am amped already. I have to calm myself down. But this is what I have always worked for and now it is here.”

Rougned Odor provided the offensive spark the Rangers needed as they powered past the Braves, 8-2, on Monday at SunTrust Park.

Odor’s 28th home run capped a three-run fifth inning that chased Braves starter R.A. Dickey from the game. Odor finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs as the Rangers moved above .500 for the first time since Aug. 24. They are now within two games of an American League Wild Card berth.
“I was trying to focus a lot and focus on everything in the game, and it helped me,” Odor said.
The offensive attack allowed Andrew Cashner to settle into his 23rd start of the season. He picked up his ninth win by surrendering two runs over six innings. Cashner had his two-seam fastball working as he registered 14 called strikes on the night.
Cashner earned his first career win against the Braves, entering the game with a 9.35 ERA in two starts at Turner Field. He has won six of his past 10 starts.
“Some of the guys had big swings tonight and [Odor] put a dagger in there late,” Cashner said. “I think we are swinging the bats really well and guys are feeling good. We are playing really good baseball.”
The same couldn’t be said for Dickey as the knuckleballer struggled against his former team. He wasn’t effective and labored through 4 1/3 innings. Dickey got behind several batters and had to use his fastball to work out of trouble.
“I was behind the count quite a bit and having to elevate that knuckleball, and that’s tough when you have to do that,” Dickey said. “That’s a good team over there. I can’t make excuses. I’ve just got to keep trying to execute.”
The main source of Braves offense came from left fielder Matt Adams as he hit his 20th home run, a two-run shot into the right-field seats. The home run went 416 feet with an exit velocity of 107.8 mph, according to Statcast™.
Elvis Andrus started Rangers’ night in style as he crushed his 19th home run into the left-field bleachers. He caught a knuckleball that stayed high and over the plate. It would prove to be a sign of things to come, as the Rangers scored five runs in the first three innings.
“I just kept hoping when [Dickey] ended the fourth, I thought maybe he’d gotten a hold of it because I’ve seen that happen before, too, where it starts out rough and then he’ll find it and can stretch the game a little bit,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “It just wasn’t happening from the get-go.”
After the Braves scored two runs on Adams’ homer, the Rangers roared back and scored three runs to push the game out of reach. Nomar Mazara started with a solo home run and three batters later, the Odor added the final blow to incoming reliever Matt Wisler by greeting him with a two-run homer to provide the game’s final runs.
“I believe the add-on inning to answer back was really key for us,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “I thought our guys did a great job off of Dickey in staying patient and drawing some walks.”
“It makes me want to throw up not going more than six innings. Tonight was a night where I had to be pretty good. We weren’t scoring many runs on him. He had a good night, and I didn’t give us a really good chance to win the ballgame.” — Dickey
Cashner became the first Texas pitcher to collect a sacrifice fly in the second inning. It was the first in the organization’s history since moving to Texas. The last franchise pitcher to have a sacrifice fly was Camilo Pascual on Sept. 5, 1968, for the Washington Senators.
Julio Teheran takes the mound Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. CT for the second of three games against the Rangers. He will be looking to build on a four-game stretch that has seen him post a 2.33 ERA and three quality starts.

Zach Neal was magnificent as the Nashville Sounds blanked the New Orleans Baby Cakes 3-0 Monday afternoon to put a bow on the 2017 campaign. It was the first series sweep of the season for the Sounds.

Neal kept the ball down all afternoon as he hurled seven shutout innings for his third consecutive quality start. The right-hander retired the first 11 batters he faced before yielding a two-out double to Christian Colon in the fourth inning. He induced 11 ground outs on the afternoon.

Neal found himself in a bit of trouble in the seventh inning as he surrendered a leadoff single to Steve Lombardozzi followed by a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base before walking Jake Elmore to put runners on the corners. Neal induced a pop up to escape the frame.

Baby Cakes starter, Victor Payano was outstanding on the mound as well. The southpaw fanned seven in his four innings of work while allowing just one base hit, a single to Joey Wendle.

The Sounds finally broke through in the sixth inning off William Cuevas as they loaded the bases with just one out. Wendle skied a fly ball to left field to plate Jaff Decker from third base.

Nashville added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth inning as Beau Taylor deposited a two-run home run into the swimming pool beyond the right field fence.

Corey Walter pitched a scoreless eighth inning while Felix Doubront closed the book on New Orleans in the ninth inning to wrap up the 2017 season.

The Sounds finised the season 68-71 and in second place in the American Southern Division. They spent 131 days out of 160 in second place.

The 2017 season was the Sounds’ 40th in franchise history and their third as the Oakland Athletics’ top affiliate. 2018 season ticket memberships are available now by calling (615) 690-4487 or by visiting www.nashvillesounds.com.