Category: Sports

The Red Raider basketball teams opened play in a 4 day team camp at MTSU on Monday.  The varsity, JV and freshmen each played 3 games on the day.  The varsity team and the freshman went 2 and 1 on the day, while the JV team was 1 and 2.

The varsity Red Raiders opened up with a win over Heritage Christian as Coach Micah Williams saw improved play on the offensive end from his Raiders.  “We took good shots, moved the ball well and were more patient than last week”, said Williams. In the 2^nd game, the Raiders were tied with Cleveland at 31 at halftime before a rash of 3^rd quarter turnovers cost them the game.  Coffee County closed out the day with a win over Tupelo, MS.

Coach Williams was once again pleased with his team’s defensive effort.  Offensively, “we eliminated a lot of the scoring droughts we saw last week but need to do a better job of taking care of the basketball” added Williams.  Williams singled out the play of Russell Smythia, Chase Simpkins and Harley Hinshaw for their contributions off the bench as he continues to develop depth for his team.

On Tuesday, the varsity team will open up play at 10 AM with a game on the main floor at MTSU.  They will follow that up with games at 2 PM and 6 PM at the MTSU Rec Center.  The JV will open up with a 9 AM game at the Alumni Memorial Gym followed by games at 2 PM and 5 PM at MTSU’s Rec center.  The freshmen will open play at noon the Alumni Memorial Gym with games set for 2 PM and 3 PM at MTSU’s Rec center.

Tyler Flowers smacked a go-ahead three-run home run off Matt Albers in the ninth inning to power the Braves to an 11-10 win over the Nationals on Monday night at Nationals Park.
It was Flowers’ fourth home run of the season, and the Braves’ fifth blast of the night. The Nationals entered the eighth inning with a 9-6 advantage, but for the third straight day, Washington’s bullpen surrendered the lead. The Braves scored twice in the eighth before taking command in the ninth.
The game was meant to be a pitching duel between two pitchers who entered on a string of quality starts, but it turned into a slugfest with a combined eight home runs and 28 hits. Stephen Strasburg gave up six runs and three home runs in five innings, while the Nationals took advantage of defensive miscues in the fourth to take a three-run lead.
But in the ninth, as Flowers rounded the bases, the Braves’ players jumped around the dugout, while some came out to greet Flowers with high-fives. Meanwhile, the Nationals players sat with straight faces in the dugout. The Nationals added a run in the ninth, but Jim Johnson secured his 13th save of the season for Atlanta.
Flowers’ blast was one of the shortest of the eight in the game, but it was the most important. Albers walked two in the ninth and struck out one before Flowers, who had been 0-for-4, came to the plate. He worked a 2-0 count before smacking a four-seam fastball over the right-field wall. The catcher’s 349-foot shot had an exit velocity of 98.1 mph and a launch angle of 35 degrees, per Statcast™.
Johnson gave up a two-out single to Trea Turner in the bottom of the ninth, which scored Michael Taylor. But with Bryce Harper at the plate and the potential tying run on first, Johnson got Harper to line out to center field, recording the save.

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club is back in action at First Tennessee Park on Tuesday, June 13th when they welcome the Iowa Cubs – the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs – for a four-game series.
Following the Cubs series, the Sounds host the New Orleans Baby Cakes – the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins – for a four-day, five-game series from June 17-20.
Below is a preview for each game of the home stand:
Tuesday, June 13 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday Night Live – It’s Country Night at First Tennessee Park. As part of Country Night, Universal Music Group country trio Temecula Road performs a pre-game concert at the guitar scoreboard plaza from 6:15-6:35.

Wednesday, June 14 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• College Night – Lipscomb University/Nashville Sounds hat giveaway to the first 1,000 fans presented by First Tennessee.
• Seniors (60 and older) receive discounted Corner or Select tickets – subject to availability.

Thursday, June 15 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• 615 Night presented by First Tennessee – Celebrate Nashville and the surrounding areas with a special 615 Flag Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
• Tennessee Titans first round draft picks Corey Davis and Adoree’ Jackson will throw out the ceremonial first pitches.
• Throwback Thursday presented by Budweiser – the Sounds will wear throwback jerseys to commemorate the team’s original uniform style from 1978. Fans can purchase Coca-Cola fountain soda and Budweiser draft beer specials for $2.

Friday, June 16 vs. Iowa – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• FOX17 post-game fireworks presented by Koorsen Fire & Security. Enjoy the fireworks with a custom pop music playlist.
• The LEGO Play Ball Tour is at First Tennessee Park and offers fans an interactive LEGO building experience perfect for families to enjoy before and during the game.

Saturday, June 17 vs. New Orleans – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Cancer Awareness Night – The first 5,000 fans receive the “Strikeout Cancer” T-Shirt Giveaway. Additionally, the Sounds will sport special cancer awareness jerseys that will be auctioned during the game to benefit the American Cancer Society.
• The LEGO Play Ball Tour is at First Tennessee Park and offers fans an interactive LEGO building experience perfect for families to enjoy before and during the game.

Sunday, June 18 vs. New Orleans – Doubleheader at 5:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 4:00 p.m.
• The Sounds and Baby Cakes will play a doubleheader which begins with the two teams resuming a suspended April 30th game in the fourth inning. The game will be a full nine-inning contest and will be followed by another seven-inning game beginning approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
• Father’s Day Celebration presented by Advance Financial – We’re honoring all fathers with a Camo Hat Giveaway to the first 2,000 people
• Pre-game autograph session with select Sounds players from 4:05-4:20. In addition, the Sounds promo team will host the coloring station for children to color baseball posters and sign up for on-field games.
• Military Sunday presented by Piedmont Natural Gas and Tennessee 811– The Sounds extend their military appreciation with special military green jerseys and discounted Corner or General Admission tickets for active and veteran men, women and families – subject to availability.
• The LEGO Play Ball Tour is at First Tennessee Park and offers fans an interactive LEGO building experience perfect for families to enjoy before and during the game.
• Post-Game Kids (ages 12 & under) Run the Bases with Dads as part of the MLB Play Ball Initiative.

Monday, June 19 vs. New Orleans – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Franklin Barreto Bobblehead Giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
• Kroger Plus Monday – Buy a “Family 4-Pack” that includes 4 Select section tickets, 4 hot dogs & 4 fountain sodas for $44 when fans show their Kroger Plus card at the Sounds Ticket Office. The “Family 4-Pack” is available for advanced purchase only – subject to availability.

Tuesday, June 20 vs. New Orleans – 7:05 p.m.
• Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday Night Live – Calling all parrot heads for Jimmy Buffett Theme Night as the first 2,000 fans receive a special Jimmy Buffett Beach Towel Giveaway. Additionally, a Steel Drum Band will perform pre-game and during the game.

CHS Golfer Ashley Gilliam in action last season

Coffee County rising junior Ashley Gilliam once again needed a strong finish to win the Tennessean/Metro Parks Schooldays Golf Tournament on Thursday.  The win by Gilliam, a Mississippi State commitment, marked her second straight championship in the 93^rd annual tournament. The Schooldays is the state’s longest continuous golf tournament and the most prestigious junior amateur tournament in Tennessee.

Gilliam entered Thursday’s match play final against Clarksville’s Catherine Caudill as the top seed after posting the lowest qualifying score in Tuesday’s opening round.  Ashley fired a blistering 8 under par 64 to advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinals.  In Wednesday morning’s quarterfinal, Gilliam captured the lead on the 9^th hole and never trailed again in a win over Cameron Waltman.  In the semifinals, Gilliam defeated Angelina Chan 1-up to advance to Thursday’s finals.

In the finals, Gilliam fell behind 3 down after the 10^th hole.  Needing to win 3 of the last 8 holes, Ashley got a birdie on the 11^th hole to cut the deficit to 2.  Caudill and Gilliam halved the next 5 holes which left Gilliam down 2 with 2 to play.  Not to be deterred, Gilliam got a birdie and a par to extend the match to a 19^th hole.  The finish was reminiscent of Ashley’s 2016 title when Gilliam needed an eagle on the final hole to win her first Schooldays.  Gilliam won the 19^th hole to capture her 2^nd consecutive Schooldays championship.  Gilliam can tie the record for 3 straight Schooldays titles in 2018.  That record is held by her mother, Jennifer Gilliam.

The Coffee County Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball teams will be back in camp action on Monday.  The Red Raiders will be at MTSU as the varsity, JV and freshmen teams will be in action on Monday through Thursday.  The Lady Raiders will travel to Lebanon on for a 2 day camp on Monday and Tuesday.

The Red Raiders will play 9 games a day in their final team camp workouts of the summer.  On Monday, the varsity team will have games at 1 PM, 3 PM and 6 PM with all 3 games taking place at the MTSU Rec Center.  The JV will have games at 3 PM, 5 PM and 7 PM as they will also be at MTSU’s Rec center.  The freshmen will open play at 1 PM at MTSU’s Rec center.   The freshmen will finish up with games at 4 PM and 6 PM at the Alumni Memorial Gym.

The Lady Raiders will play 4 varsity games over the 2 day team camp at Lebanon High School.  On Monday, the Lady Raiders will open up play at noon with a game against Watertown before facing Forrest at 3 PM.  On Tuesday, Coffee County will take on Gallatin at 1 PM and Portland at 3 PM.

Imagine the rowdiest party in town being held on your front lawn.

Now imagine not receiving an invitation to that celebration, forced to enviously peer through the front curtains and wonder what it must be like.

For the past two months, the Predators have been the NHL’s lovable gate-crashers, bucking the establishment with Southern-fried, car-smashing enthusiasm.

But status quo prevailed Sunday. The Pittsburgh Penguins, a member of the NHL’s ruling class, hoisted their second consecutive Stanley Cup in a 2-0 Game 6 victory at Bridgestone Arena, becoming the league’s first back-to-back champions in nearly two decades.

With 1:35 remaining, former Predators forward Patric Hornqvist smacked a bouncing puck past Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne for the game-winning goal.

The tension inside Bridgestone Arena on Sunday was suffocating. A whirlwind pace kept the capacity crowd on edge in the Predators’ final home game.

The Penguins’ previous two games were their strongest in terms of generating, a trend that stretched into Sunday’s Game 6. Pittsburgh totaled five high-quality scoring chances in the first period, requiring Rinne to be at his sharpest. Penguins counterpart Matt Murray made eight saves, concluding the first goalless first period of the series.

Nashville thought it had scored an all-important first goal less than 90 seconds into the second period. Forward Filip Forsberg’s hard-charging shot dribbled through Murray’s pads, the loose puck settling in the crease.

Before Predators center Colton Sissons pool-cued the rebound into the open net, referee Kevin Pollock whistled the play dead, snatching a would-be goal from the home team. Murray later stoned Sissons on a breakaway opportunity. By the end of the second period, Murray had made 56 consecutive saves since Game 4, the disallowed goal notwithstanding.

Murray’s mastery continued into the third period when the Predators received and failed to score on a shortened two-man advantage.

A rundown of the Predators’ postseason accomplishments won’t provide much consolation in this heartbreaking moment, but there is optimism that can be extracted from the wreckage.

The Predators’ roster, filled with budding stars and depth difference-makers, is positioned to challenge for championships for the next several seasons.

Nashville’s viability as a hockey destination received international exposure as visiting media swooned over the atmosphere inside Bridgestone Arena and how it overflowed into the downtown streets.

Pete Weber’s Postgame Report

Michael Conforto provided the early spark and Seth Lugo showed no rust on the mound or at the plate as his successful season debut helped the Mets claim a four-game series victory with Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 win over the Braves at SunTrust Park.

“I think that we needed these wins in our division so that it can put us up in the standings,” Mets catcher Rene Rivera said. “At the same time we have to continue playing and winning series.”
Conforto’s leadoff double helped create a first-inning run for Lugo, who allowed one run and six hits over seven innings. The Mets right-hander missed this season’s first two months because of right elbow inflammation. He aided his own cause with a third-inning double that put him in position to score on Juan Lagares’ two-out infield single.

Tyler Flowers doubled and scored on Dansby Swanson’s game-tying sacrifice fly in the second inning. But the Braves did not provide any further support to Jaime Garcia, who recorded a season-high nine strikeouts while allowing two runs over seven innings.
“That happens sometimes,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “That’s part of the job and the part he can’t control. He can control shutting a team down. He did a great job with that. It’s just one of those things guys go through.”
Conforto entered the game with a .163 career batting average against left-handed pitchers, and Garcia had limited left-handed batters to a .212 batting average this season. But the Mets left fielder drilled the game’s first pitch into the left-center-field gap for a leadoff double, and he came home on Wilmer Flores’ sacrifice fly.
“It was a straight fastball, and I wanted to get ahead there and start the game off on the right note,” Conforto said. “Garcia’s got some good stuff and some good sink to his pitches. I didn’t want to wait around against him, and I think it set the tone a little bit.”
Garcia regretted his decision to begin the game with a four-seam fastball against a left-handed hitter.
“You try to get ahead, but at the same time against a good hitter like him, especially lefty on lefty, I try to use my stuff that moves,” Garcia said.
Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis singled ahead of a Matt Kemp walk to load the bases against Lugo with one out in the fifth inning. Matt Adams followed with a potential double-play grounder to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Adams was initially called safe at first base. But what would have been a game-tying RBI groundout was erased when a replay review reversed the call and resulted in an inning-ending double play.
“We just had a tough couple days scoring runs,” Snitker said after his team was limited to one run for the third consecutive game and fourth time within the past seven games.
Mike Foltynewicz will take the mound when Atlanta begins a three-game series at Nationals Park on Monday at 6:05 p.m. CT. Foltynewicz enters this start against the Nationals having not allowed a run within his past two starts (14 innings).

The Memphis Redbirds scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the 12th inning and outlasted the Nashville Sounds, 10-9, Sunday afternoon at AutoZone Park. Sunday’s win secured the series for Memphis, and gave them a five-game lead over Nashville in the American Southern Division standings.

Breyvic Valera was the hero when his base hit up the middle scored Wilfredo Tovar with the winning run with just one out in the 12th inning.

The knock came just moments after the Sounds (32-29) took a 9-8 lead on Matt Chapman’s 16th home run of the season – a solo shot in the top of the 12th that broke the tie. Chapman’s blast extended his hitting streak to a career-long 10 games.

Sounds reliever Simon Castro, who turned in scoreless innings in the 10th and 11th, found immediate trouble in the 12th when he hit Patrick Widsom with a pitch. The next batter, Tovar, dropped a bunt down back to the mound. Castro tried to fire to second to get Wisdom but his throw was late.

With runners at first and second with nobody out, Bruce Caldwell dropped another bunt down back to the mound. This time Castro threw to third and again it was late.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Alberto Rosario hit a fly ball to right that was deep enough to score Wisdom from third with the tying run. After Castro intentionally walked Nick Martini, Valera sent a base hit up the middle to win it for Memphis.

Sunday’s afternoon affair was a back-and-forth contest as neither starter was particularly sharp. Nashville’s Michael Brady battled through five innings and allowed four runs in a no-decision. Memphis’ Luke Weaver lasted only 2 1/3 innings before exiting with an undisclosed injury.

Two runs in the top of the third inning gave the Sounds a 3-1 lead but it didn’t last long. Four hits for Memphis brought in three runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Trailing 4-3 in the sixth, Nashville’s Jaff Decker and Ryan Lavarnway manufactured the tying run. Decker started the inning with a single, then swiped second base and moved to third on a throwing error by catcher Alberto Rosario. Lavarnway made the error hurt when he hit a soft liner into left field to deliver Decker from third.

Memphis reliever Miguel Socolovich continued in the seventh and found immediate trouble. Franklin Barreto reached on an infield single, and motored around the bases on Joey Wendle’s go-ahead double to the gap in left-center.

Mark Canha followed with a run-scoring single up the middle, and Renato Nuñez made it 8-4 with a booming two-run home run. It was the 17th of the season for Nuñez who is now tied for the PCL lead.

Redbirds first baseman Luke Voit drilled a three-run homer off Tucker Healy to draw Memphis within a run in the seventh.

Felix Doubront tossed a scoreless eighth, but Jake Sanchez couldn’t follow suit in the ninth. After striking out the first two batters he faced, Voit singled and was pinch ran for with Todd Cunningham. Moments later, Harrison Bader rifled a line drive down the left field line that chased Cunningham around the bases to even the game at 8-8 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Neither team did much of anything in the 10th and 11th innings before Chapman gave the Sounds the lead in the 12th.

Castro was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 0-4 on the season. Kevin Herget picked up the win for Memphis despite allowing the homer to Chapman.

The Sounds enjoy a team off day Monday before beginning an eight-day, nine-game homestand on Tuesday. Right-hander Chris Smith (4-2, 2.96) starts for Nashville against right-hander Casey Kelly (3-1, 4.68) for Iowa. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Left-hander Steven Matz looked sharp in his first start of the season, allowing one run in seven innings to help the New York Mets beat the Atlanta Braves 8-1 and sweep a day-night doubleheader on Saturday at SunTrust Park.

Matz (1-0) allowed five hits with one walk and two strikeouts in his first appearance since Aug. 14. The oft-injured southpaw opened the season on the disabled list with left elbow inflammation. He improved to 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in five career starts against the Braves.

The New York offense was boosted by a pair of home runs, a three-shot by Jay Bruce and a two-run pinch-hit homer by T.J. Rivera. The Mets (27-33) have homered in 14 straight road games.

Atlanta starter Matt Wisler (0-1) pitched six innings and allowed four runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.

The Mets added a run in the sixth when Wilmer Flores tripled and scored on a Travis d’Arnaud sacrifice fly. Flores was 4-for-5 in the nightcap and was 6-for-9 in the doubleheader to up his average to .333.

The Braves (27-34) scored their only run in the seventh when Dansby Swanson doubled and scored on Johan Camargo’s single. The run ended a streak of 24 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings by New York starters.

The Mets made it 6-1 in the eighth inning when Rivera connected for his second homer of the season, a two-run shot, against reliever Eric O’Flaherty. It was Rivera’s first home run since May 5 against Miami.

The Mets took a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning when Bruce hit a three-run homer, his 16th home run of the season. It was the second time Bruce went deep against Wisler this season, earlier touching him for a three-run shot.

New York won the first game 6-1. Robert Gsellman pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings and left fielder Yoenis Cespedes hit a grand slam, the fifth of his career, in his return from the disabled list.

Gsellman (5-3) allowed only three hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. It was the first time in 11 starts this season that he has not given up a run.

Sean Newcomb, considered Atlanta’s top pitching prospect, made his major league debut. The left-hander (0-1) took the loss, despite allowing only one unearned run and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

NOTES: The Mets activated LF Yoenis Cespedes from the disabled list. He had been sidelined since April 28 because of a left hamstring strain. Cespedes said he was not 100 percent, but said “I feel that I am ready to play.” He started the first game, but not the nightcap. … New York activated LHP Steven Matz for the second game of the doubleheader and sent INF Matt Reynolds to Triple-A Las Vegas. Matz has been on the disabled list all season because of left elbow inflammation. He was 0-1 with a 6.06 ERA in four rehab appearances. … Atlanta sent RHP Jason Hursh to Triple-A Gwinnett to make room for LHP Sean Newcomb, who made his major league debut in the first game. … Atlanta CF Ender Inciarte did not start the nightcap. He had played in the team’s previous 59 games. … Atlanta C Tyler Flowers has reached base in 21 consecutive games. … New York SS Jose Reyes ended an 0-for-27 streak with a single in the fifth inning of the nightcap. … Atlanta LF Matt Kemp was ejected by home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi at the end of the eighth inning.

The Nashville Sounds rallied behind a big two-run double from Renato Nuñez in the top of the eighth inning en route to a 6-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park Saturday night.

After trailing multiple times throughout the night, Nuñez stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the eighth and drilled a ball off the wall to plate a pair of runs to put the Sounds (32-28) ahead for good.

The double was the second of the night for Nunez who is hitting .405 (17-for-42) over his last 12 games.

Young left-hander Dalton Sawyer was pressed into action for Nashville and made a spot start after being transferred from Single-A Beloit earlier in the day. The southpaw allowed a two-run double to Carson Kelly in the first inning but settled in nicely and delivered a quality start.

The lead wouldn’t last for the Redbirds as the Sounds drew even in the fourth. Third baseman Matt Chapman clobbered his 15th home run of the season – a two-run blast off to John Gant to make it 2-2.

Memphis came right back with a homer of their own when Luke Voit started the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot to give the Redbirds a 3-2 lead.

The top home run hitting team in Minor League Baseball was not done, however. Sounds shortstop Franklin Barreto tied the game at 3-3 with a solo blast in the top of the sixth inning. Looking to break out of a slump, Barreto went 2-for-5 and had his first multi-hit game since May 26.

Sawyer faced the minimum in the sixth and left to a no-decision after allowing three runs in six frames in his first Triple-A start.

Barreto started the eighth with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. Joey Wendle walked and Mark Canha was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Nuñez. The left-fielder delivered his clutch double off the center field wall to chase Barreto and Wendle home for a 5-3 lead.

Jaff Decker added a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring on the night.

Right-hander Chris Jensen relieved Sawyer and was brilliant in three innings of relief. He picked up the win after he shut out the Redbirds on just one hit. Jensen racked up four strikeouts in his third win of the season.

The series finale is scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Memphis. Right-hander Michael Brady (3-1, 3.19) starts for the Sounds against right-hander Luke Weaver (6-1, 1.84) for the Redbirds. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m.