Category: Sports

Joey Wendle finishes a double away from the cycle and the Sounds get three home runs including a grand slam by Wendle to defeat the Bees 12-6 at Smith’s Ballpark Saturday night.

Wendle finished 3-for-5 with a single, triple and a grand slam home run and had two opportunities in the seventh and ninth inning to get the elusive double but was unsuccesuful.

Salt Lake took the early 2-0 lead with a Erik Kratz’s two-run double in the bottom of the second inning plating Rey Navarro and Kyle Kubitza. The Bees added another run later in the inning on a RBI ground out by Ryan Jackson scoring Kratz to take a 3-0 lead after two innings.

The Sounds wasted little time answering the Bees three-run second with a three-run inning of their own to tie the game at 3-3. Joey Wendle led off the inning with a triple off the left field wall and was plated by an RBI single by Josh Rodriguez. Jaycob Brugman then smashed a two-run home run to right field to tie the game at three. The home run by Brugman was his first as a Sound and his sixth of the season.

The Sounds took the lead in the top of the fourth with two runs on three hits. With Matt McBride at third and Rangel Ravelo at second, Wendle hit an infield single to score McBride from third to give the Sounds their first lead of the night. After Josh Rodriguez walked to load the bases, with Jaycob Brugman batting, Bees pitcher Nate Smith balked to allow Ravelo to score from third and the Sounds led 5-3 after 4.

Nashville would put up five runs in the fifth inning to take a 10-3 lead. A bases-loaded walk to Ravelo plated Healy to put the Sounds up 6-3. With the bags still juiced, Joey Wendle launched a grand slam to right field and the Sounds opened up a 10-3 lead after five.

Andrew Lambo who extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the fifth inning added a solo home run to right in the sixth to extend the Sounds lead to 11-3.

Sounds starter Dillon Overton evened his record to 4-4 with the win and allowed three runs on eight hits in five innings. Sounds starters are now 10-0 over their last 16 games with a 2.55 ERA in 95.1 innings pitched.

The Bees would put up two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a two-run home run by Sherman Jackson to right to make the score 11-5 Sounds after 7.

Ryon Healy made it 12-5 when he picked up an RBI single in the top of the eighth inning scoring Chad Pinder who tripled to center to lead off the inning.

Sounds reliever Aaron Kurcz inherited a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the eighth inning. Kurcz managed to allow just get one run on a Jefry Marte sacrifice fly to right field to score Kratz to make the score 12-6 Sounds.

The series will continue Sunday night at Smith’s Ballpark as left-hander Eric Surkamp (2-1, 3.91) starts for the Sounds and the Bees will send right-hander Kyle McGowin (2-1, 3.47). First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m CST.

The Braves caught a few breaks and benefited from a successful challenge that set the stage for Nick Markakis to halt his recent woes and allow the Braves to extend their mastery of the Marlins with a 4-2 win on Friday night at Turner Field.

After a replay review erased what would have been a double play to end the eighth inning with the game tied, Markakis laced a two-run single that bounced off Marlins third baseman Martin Prado’s glove and gave the Braves a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Atlanta remained perfect through four games against Miami and notched just its third win in 23 home games.
“I thought we had the double play. I was pretty excited about that,” Marlins reliever David Phelps said. “I’ve just got to make a better pitch to Markakis. I got him in a place I could either put him away or get some weak contact.”
Markakis, who had hit .119 over his previous 19 games, also notched a single during the two-run fifth inning constructed against an erratic Adam Conley, who managed to allow just two runs despite hitting three batters and surrendering eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. Atlanta’s starter Williams Perez surrendered two doubles during a two-run third inning, but he was otherwise effective over the remainder of his six innings.
“Guys were lining out and having good at-bats,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Finally, one went our way. That’s not being anything but truthful when I say that.”
Momentum swung in favor of the Braves by a split second. Marlins reliever David Phelps almost miraculously worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam with the score tied on Tyler Flowers’ squibber back to the mound. Phelps went home for the force out, and catcher J.T. Realmuto threw to first for what initially was called a double play, which would have ended the inning. But after the call was overturned, the Braves still had two outs and the bases full. They caught a break when sure-handed Prado was unable to collect Markakis’ liner that deflected off his glove. Two runs scored on a play that was ruled a hit, after an official scoring change, making both runs earned.
“I heard the two hits [Flowers’ foot and the ball against the glove], and I thought he was [safe],” Snitker said. “I didn’t really know. It seemed closer than what it really looked from what I could see on the big board.”
Miami lefty Conley struggled with command and control over 4 1/3 innings. Of his 90 pitches, 54 were strikes. Conley was unable to preserve a two-run lead, and he hit three batters with pitches, which matched a Marlins record. Nine times in club history, Miami pitchers have plunked three in an outing, with Chris Volstad being the last to do so on Sept. 1, 2010, against the Nationals. Conley struck out three while giving up eight hits with one walk.
“At this point, you’ve got to execute,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “You’ve got to get the ball where you want it, and make sure you’re getting the ball to your spots. If you don’t get your spots, and get into bad counts, you’re going to give up some hits.”
After stranding seven runners and going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position through the first four innings, the Braves produced a two-run fifth that was highlighted by Freddie Freeman scoring from first base on Flowers’ double off the right-center field wall. Jeff Francoeur’s game-tying single highlighted his four-hit night and gave Atlanta two hits with runners in scoring position during the inning, or one more than they had recorded through this homestand’s previous 35 frames.
“You’ve got to believe if you keep getting guys on like that, eventually something is going to click,” Francoeur said. “I think the more chances you give yourself, the better chance you’re going to have.”
Ozuna continued on his torrid pace in May. The Marlins’ center fielder had a single in the first inning and an RBI double in the third. He added another single in the eighth. The 25-year-old has now reached safely in 34 straight games, the longest such streak in the Majors this season. It also matches the longest streak by a Miami player since Logan Morrison reached in 34 straight from April 1-June 3, 2011. The franchise record is 46 in a row by Luis Castillo from April 25-June 21, 2002. Ozuna finished with three hits, including an RBI double.
“There’s a lot of talk about their record and their record at home, but guys are in the big leagues for a reason. You can’t take anyone lightly here. It’s not a bad ballclub. There’s a lot of guys in that lineup that can do some damage. Everyone is capable of getting big league hitters out, and everyone is capable of putting good swings on balls, and that’s what they’ve done against us every game so far. But it’s also four games.” — Phelps, on the Braves being 4-0 against Miami
Ichiro Suzuki’s third-inning double was career hit No. 2,961, moving the 42-year-old 39 hits away from 3,000. Ichiro is closing in on Sam Crawford (2,964) for 31st all-time.
Markakis’ fifth-inning single snapped an 0-for-27 with runners in scoring position skid for the Braves. Atlanta ended up 5-for-21 with RISP, tallying their season-high total for at-bats in these situations.
Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.61 ERA) makes the start for Miami on Saturday.  The lefty is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in two career starts against Atlanta.  Atlanta will counter with Aaron Blair, who will be making his first appearance since being demoted to Gwinnett after allowing nine earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings in Pittsburgh on May 17. Blair showed some promise during his first three career starts, but he has struggled to command his fastball in his past two starts. The game begins at 3:10 PM CDT and Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast beginning at 3 PM on the Braves Radio Network.

The Nashville Sounds got a clutch RBI double from Renato Nunez scoring Chad Pinder for the go ahead run in the top of the eighth. The Sounds took game one in the four-game series 3-2 at Smith’s Ballpark Friday night in Salt Lake.

Jaycob Brugman led off the game with a double to right center field to put a runner in scoring position right from the start. Brugman then scored on a ground out by Max Muncy to put the Sounds up 1-0 after the first inning.

The Sounds scored again in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly to center by Brugman to score Wendle from third to take a 2-0 lead.

Salt Lake answered with two runs in the bottom half of the third to tie the game at 2 apiece. Salt Lake short stop Ryan Jackson doubled to left field to start the inning and later scored on a Ji-Man Choi ground out. Jefrey Marte then hit a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 2-2 after three.

Sounds starter Angel Castro pitched well in his second start of the season for Nashville. The right-hander gave up two runs on seven hits and racked up six strikeouts.

The game was a stale mate from the fourth through top of the eighth inning as both teams struggled to get the necessary hits to break the 2-2 tie. Between Castro and Sounds relievers Daniel Coulombe and Ryan Brasier, the Sounds pitchers stranded seven Bees runners in scoring position in the game.

The Sounds broke through in the top of the eighth inning when Renato Nunez scored Chad Pinder on an RBI double down the right field line to put the Sounds up 3-2.

Ryan Brasier shut the door the final three innings to record his third win of the season. The right-hander gave up just one hit and struck out two in the Sounds 3-2 win.

The series continues Saturday night at Smith’s Ballpark with left-hander Dillon Overton (3-4, 4.03) starts for the Sounds and left-hander Nate Smith (3-1, 3.47) gets the start for Salt Lake. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. CST.

Karson Young lands her 5th place jump of 17′ 6.5″ on Thursday at the TSSAA state track meet at MTSU

Setting personal bests in 2 events lifted Coffee County’s Karson Young to the medal stand twice on Thursday at the TSSAA Spring Fling State Track Meet at MTSU. Young beat her personal record 4 times in placing 5th in the long jump in the morning session. Young, who predicted a jump of 17’ 6” before the event, soared to a 17’6.5” jump in her second attempt of the preliminary round. That jump was good enough to advance her to the finals. Entering the day with a personal best of 16’ 10” in the long jump, Young had jumps of 17’ 3”, 17’5” and 17’1.75” to go with her medal winning jump of 17’6”.
Immediately after receiving her medal for the long jump, Young was back to the sand to compete in the triple jump. Young failed to meet her qualifying jump from the sectional of 34’ 10” which is her personal record. Young had jumps of 33’ 7.25’, 33’ 8.75” and 34’ 1.75’ to finish in 13th place.
In the evening session, Young ran a time 15.93 in the 100M hurdles to win her heat and take home an 8th place medal. Young beat her previous personal record of 16:12 in her clean run. Young, a junior, was making her 2nd appearance at the Spring Fling after missing last year due to illness. “We have always known that Karson has had a great deal of talent and today she rose to the occasion” said Coach Stan Jarrell after the race. “I feel like Coach Bonham was here helping her along today” added Jarrell. Former assistant coach Phil Bonham specialized in training Raider thinclads in the hurdles prior to his passing this past February.
We talked to Karson after the race and this is what she had to say:

Sarah Pearson clears 4’10” in the high jump on Thursday at the TSSAA state track meet at MTSU

Sarah Pearson opened her day in the noon heat at the high jump pit. Pearson who qualified at 4’10” in last week’s sectional, scratched out at 5” to finish in 11th place. Pearson cleared 4’8” in her first jump and 4’10” in her 2nd attempt. “I am happy with (4’ 10”) but I always strive for 5 feet” said Pearson following the high jump as she came up short of the medal stand.
In the 100M hurdles, Pearson was paired up with Young as the 2 Coffee County teammates started one lane apart. Pearson clipped a couple of hurdles early in the race to finish with a time of 17.05 which was good enough for 14th place.
Pearson ended her day with the 300M hurdle race as her time of 49.5 seconds was nearly a full second above the sophomore’s previous personal record. “I knew going in that I was not near the top(among qualifying times). I was really pushing for a PR(personal record) and I’m kind of upset about it” said a dejected Pearson. Her time in the 300M was good enough for a 13th place finish in the event. “I am happy I got to come and compete today and I am glad I got to come even though I did not medal” added Pearson

The Nashville Sounds piled on the hits racking up a season-high 19 hits in a 13-2 rout of the Las Vegas 51’s field Thursday night at Cashman Field.

Two early solo home runs from Max Muncy and Ryon Healy sparked the bats for the Sounds in Sin City.

Muncy, the second batter of the game, wasted no time putting the Sounds on the board early with a solo home run to right field and the Sounds lead 1-0.

Healy then added another solo shot on a lead-off home run in the second inning to double the Sounds lead to 2-0. The home run was Healy’s first as a Sound and his ninth of the season.

Joey Wendle added another run when he tripled to center in the third to score Chad Pinder from first to put the Sounds up 3-0 after three.

Las Vegas would get on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning when 51’s catcher Johnny Monell to make the score 3-1 Sounds.

After two singles early in the fifth inning by Renato Nunez and Healy, the Sounds recorded three consecutive run scoring doubles to increase the Sounds lead to 7-1. Matt Olson, Chad Pinder, and Joey Wendle recorded back-to-back-to-back run scoring doubles to increase the Sounds lead to 7-1.

The 51’s scored another run in the top of the sixth inning to narrow the gap to five. Monell tripled to left field to lead off the inning for Las Vegas. Travis Taijeron then singled to left field to score Monell but was thrown out trying to stretch the single into a double and the 51’s trailed 7-2.

The Sounds added to their new season-high 19 hits with seven of them coming in the seventh inning. The Sounds scored five runs in the frame and batted around the order to put the Sounds up 12-2.

Sounds starter Chris Smith left after six innings of work allowing just two runs on four hits. The right-hander struck out six and the outing was good enough for another quality start for Sounds pitching, the 14th in the month of May.

Muncy added the Sounds final run in the top of the ninth inning as his RBI single plated Joey Wendle to put the Sounds up 13-2.

The Sounds will now travel to Salt Lake City, Utah to take on the Salt Lake Bees for a four-game series beginning on Friday night from Smith’s Ballpark. The Sounds will send right-hander Angel Castro (0-2, 5.91) and the Bees will counter with left-hander David Huff (1-1, 4.05). First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. CST.

Diana Davis takes off on her 1st attempt at 10′ on Wednesday at the state track meet

Three attempts to tie her personal record were not enough on Wednesday as Diana Davis settled for a 6th place finish in the pole vault at the TSSAA Spring Fling State Track Meet at MTSU. Davis, who cleared 9’6” in her 2nd attempt at the height, matched her qualifying height from the sectional. Davis set a personal record of 10’ earlier this season.
This is the 2nd straight state track meet in the pole vault for Davis as she competed in Arizona last season before her family moved to Tennessee. Davis also cleared 9’6” in Arizona to finish in 10th place last year. Davis, who is a senior and was a member of the Lady Raider volleyball team, has committed to Harding University(Arkansas) in the fall and hopes to play volleyball and pole vault. Davis is the first female pole vaulter at Coffee County in the program’s history.
We interviewed Davis following the meet and this is what she had to say:

You can see a video of Davis clearing the bar at 9 feet at: https://www.facebook.com/WMSRradio/videos/vb.220712800726/10157165947530727/?type=3&theater

Diana Davis(center) with her medal and CHS Track coaches Stan Jarrell(left) and Samantha Amis(right)

The Spring Fling State Track Meet is taking place all this week at MTSU’s Dean A. Hays Track and Soccer Stadium. Sarah Pearson and Karson Young will each compete on Thursday in 3 events. Young will take part in the long jump at 9 AM and comes back for the triple jump at 10:15. Her final event is the 100M hurdles around 3:30 PM. Pearson takes part in the high jump at 12 PM, the 100M hurdles around 3:30 PM and the 300M hurdles sometime after 4 PM.

After facing the Braves’ entire bullpen and the guy who had been scheduled to start on Saturday, the Brewers claimed a 3-2 victory courtesy of Jonathan Villar’s go-ahead single in the 13th inning on Wednesday night at Turner Field.

Casey Kelly had been scheduled to start Saturday, but he ended up throwing the final four innings for the Braves, who have lost 19 of their first 21 home games. After the Brewers loaded the bases before the first out was recorded in the 13th inning, Villar delivered his game-winning single to left that scored Aaron Hill off Kelly, who had thrown 81 pitches over five innings on Sunday in Philadelphia.
The Braves burned through their ‘pen after starter Mike Foltynewicz surrendered one run over 5 2/3 innings. The Brewers used six of their seven relievers after Junior Guerra escaped multiple threats over five scoreless innings. Milwaukee has won each of the five games Guerra has started this season.
“He put zeros on the board,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “It’s good when a guy can pitch like that. I don’t think he had his best night. I just thought it was time to go to our [bullpen].”
Braves infielder Gordon Beckham’s first career pinch-hit homer — a two-run shot in the sixth inning off Chris Capuano — served as the potential game winner until the Brewers manufactured a run in the eighth inning. Atlanta used six relievers to record the 10 outs that separated Foltynewicz’s exit and the end of the ninth inning.
“I don’t particularly like going out there, but it was just kind of the way things were stacking up,” Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. “You’d rather not, but it was like we were going to try to win this in nine, especially after Gordo hit the homer.”
The Braves used all seven of their relievers, including three in the eighth inning. Newly-appointed setup man Bud Norris exited after surrendering a Jonathan Lucroy single and Chris Carter double with one out in the eighth. The Braves then opted not to play their infield in and paid the price when Kirk Nieuwenhuis greeted Ian Krol with his game-tying RBI groundout.
Guerra put runners on, but bore down in at-bats with runners in scoring position. He held the Braves hitless in nine such at-bats in his five innings, including retiring Atlanta’s Nos. 3 and 4 hitters — Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis in the first, third and fifth innings with runners on first and second base. Opponents had gone 7-for-13 against Guerra with runners in scoring position in his four previous starts.
“It’s about mixing and not being too predictable because they’re dangerous hitters,” catcher Lucroy said. “That’s really all it’s about, not being predictable and mixing and just location.”
Foltynewicz touched 100 mph with his first pitch to Braun in the third inning and clocked 97 mph or above with 37 of the fastballs he threw during his 104-pitch outing. But the lone run he surrendered came after he opened the fifth by getting ahead with a 0-2 count before walking Broxton, who had struck out in 14 of his previous 21 career at-bats. Broxton reached third base courtesy of a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch before scoring on Villar’s sacrifice fly.
Lucroy, Carter and Nieuwenhuis had been a combined 1-for-19 in the series with 11 strikeouts and one infield hit (by Carter) prior to the eighth inning. But down 2-1, the trio came through. Lucroy smacked a one-out single to center, Carter followed by bashing a double the opposite way off the wall in right to put runners on second and third, and Nieuwenhuis, who hadn’t put a ball in play in five of his first six plate appearances in the two games, delivered an RBI grounder to second to knot the game.
“[Infielder] Chase d’Arnaud was the next pitcher if we had tied that game. He’s got a loose arm. Shoot, he might go out and get them out for a while.” — Snitker
With his first-inning single, Ryan Braun reached base in his 27th consecutive game. It’s the third-longest active streak in the Majors, behind Miami’s Marcell Ozuna (32 games) and Boston’s Jackie Bradley Jr. (29).
Freeman has recorded one hit in his past 22 at-bats with runners in scoring position and he is hitting .135 (5-for-37) with RISP this season.
Right-hander Matt Wisler will start Thursday’s series finale at 6:10 p.m. CT. Wisler has posted a 1.80 ERA and limited opponents to a .204 batting average over his past four starts.  Thunder Radio will bring you the broadcast of the game as part of the Braves Radio Network as the pregame show begins at 6 PM.

The Nashville Sounds continued their winning ways after scoring two runs in the top of the 12th inning to take a 5-3 win Wednesday night at Cashman Field to win their 10th out of their last 11 games.

The late inning rally started with a lead-off single by Max Muncy to right field. Muncy then stole second base with Andrew Lambo batting. Ryon Healy then delivered the go ahead run with a one-out double to right center field to put the Sounds on top 4-3. Healy advanced to third base on Matt Olson’s ground out to second to set the stage for Rangel Ravelo to add the insurance run. Ravelo then hit an infield single allowing Healy to score to put the Sounds up 5-3 in the 12th.

The 51’s attempted a late rally as Sounds reliever J.B. Wendelken issued a two-out walk to Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo then took second on defensive indifference and rounded second to go to third and was caught stealing by Wendelken to end the game.

Daniel Mengden pitched well and gave up just one run in seven innings in his fifth start of the year for the Sounds. The right-hander surrendered just four hits while striking out three batters in a no decision.

The Sounds took the lead in the fourth inning on a bases loaded RBI single by Jaycob Brugman. Brugman’s single scored Andrew Lambo from third, however Matt Olson was thrown out at home.

Las Vegas answered with a solo home run by 51’s right fielder Travis Tailjeron to tie the game at 1-1 after 4.

The game remain dead locked until Andrew Lambo hit a solo home run to right center field in the 8th inning to give the Sounds a late 2-1 lead.

Ryan Brasier came out of the bullpen to relieve Mengden to start the eighth inning for the Sounds. The right-hander found trouble early as he surrendered three hits and a run. Patrick Schuster came on with two outs and two runners on to try to keep the game tied at 2-2. Schuster balked with Brandon Nimmo on third to allow the go ahead run to score to put the 51’s up 3-2

In the top of the ninth, Jaycob Brugman scored from third on a wild pitch with Josh Phegley batting to tie the game at 3-3.

Wendelken picked up his first win of the season for the Sounds and the loss was credited to Las Vegas’s Zack Thorton.

The series concludes Thursday night at Cashman Field with the Sounds turning to right-hander Chris Smith (2-5, 4.40) and the 51’s will counter with right-hander Seth Lugo (3-2, 7.91). First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. CST.

CHS soccer recipients of the TSSAA Academic Award. From Left: Christian Parks, Paco Barrera, Miguel Mendoza, Ping Kraitheerawut, David Fernandez, Tyler Walker, Ethan Abplanalp, Mason Boals, Ben Reid and John Parigger.

The Coffee County Central High School soccer team hosted their end of the year banquet on Monday night at the Forrest Mill Church of Christ. Head coach Robert Harper, along with assistant coaches Andy Escue and Nick Hibdon presided over the festivities as varsity and JV letters were awarded, seniors and academic award winners announced and individual team awards were presented.
Once again the Red Raider soccer team was recognized by the TSSAA for their academic achievements. The team, which has an overall team grade point average(GPA) of 3.44, had 11 different players who were awarded the TSSAA Academic Award. Those 11 carry a GPA of 3.5 or better and are: Ethan Abplanalp, Mason Boals, Tyler Walker, Paco Barrera, Christian Parks, Miguel Mendoza, Ben Reid, C.J. Frazier, John Parigger, Ping Kraitheerawut and David Fernandez.

CHS Soccer Seniors : left to right – Ping Kraitheerawut, David Fernandez, Nick Hough, Victor Ramirez and Christian Parks,

After the varsity and JV letters were awarded, the 5 seniors were recognized and awarded their game jersey. Those 5 were: Victor Ramirez, Christian Parks, Nick Hough, Ping Kraitheerawut and David Fernandez.
The night concluded with the presentation of team superlatives as 6 Red Raiders were honored by the coaching staff for their play during the 2016 season. Those award winners are:

Members of the CHS Soccer Team who were voted individual awards. (From left) Midfield MVP – Chase Harper, Red Raider Award – Nick Hough, Freshman of the Year – Leo Botello, Team MVP – Breyer Taylor, Offensive MVP – Paco Barrera and Defensive MVP – Ben Reid

Freshman of the Year – Leo Botello
Red Raider Award – Nick Hough
Defensive MVP – Ben Reid
Offensive MVP – Paco Barrera
Midfield MVP – Chase Harper
Team MVP – Breyer Taylor