Even though it was his birthday, veteran lefty Drew Smyly gifted the Braves with an impressive performance to lead the Braves to a 6-4 victory over the Marlins on Sunday at loanDepot park to end the three-game set. You heard the game live on Thunder Radio.
This is the second time in his career that he has made a start on his birthday. The first came in 2014 when Smyly, back then with Detroit, allowed one run and four hits in six innings against the Twins.
In the top of the first, the Braves got off to an early start with a leadoff single by Ronald Acuña Jr. Freddie Freeman followed it up with his seventh double of the season to put runners in scoring position, just in time for Austin Riley to hit a two-run single to give the Braves an early 2-0 lead.
McWhorter, Costello named new co-athletic directors at Coffee County Central
Coffee County Central High School has two new athletic directors.
Longtime teachers and coaches Brad Costello and Brandon McWhorter have been named co-athletic directors for CHS. They replace Rebecca Koger.
“Coffee County Central High School is pleased to announce its new athletic administration to the community. Brad Costello and Brandon Mcwhorter will be transitioning into the positions of Co-Athletic Director over the coming weeks,” Coffee County Principal Paul Parsley said in a statement. “Coach Costelllo is finishing his sixteenth year at CCCHS, and he will continue to teach math and coach golf, in addition to his athletic administration responsibilities. Coach Mcwhorter is finishing his twelfth year at CCCHS, and will continue to teach math and coach softball, in addition to his athletic administration duties. We are confident in the abilities of both Coach Costello and Coach Mcwhorter to do a wonderful job.”
Costello currently coaches golf at CHS and has done so in a previous stint. McWhorter is the head softball coach, fresh off a deep state tournament run. McWhorter has also been an assistant football coach for the Raiders.
Both Costello and McWhorter will join the Coffee Coaches Show at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 26th.
These new athletic directors replace Rebecca Koger – who submitted her resignation as AD last month, effective June 30.
Thunder Radio is your Coffee County Sports Authority – your home for all Red Raider and Lady Raider sports.
BASEBALL: Raider catcher Lane Spry signs with Roane State
Lane Spry was an anchor for the Central High School Red Raider baseball team in the 2021 spring season – both offensively and defensively.
After graduating last month, Spry now has a college to call home. Spry will be continuing his academic and athletic careers at Roane State Community College in East Tennessee, where he will play baseball.
“I would like to thank God, my family and all of my coaches who helped get me to this point,” said Spry.
Spry was a constant behind the plate for the Raiders – starting at catcher all season. As a senior, he hit at a .286 clip with one home run and a .420 on-base percentage. He led the Raiders in doubles with 10 and was 4th in RBIs with 15. He sported a .989 fielding percentage – highest on the Red Raider team among starters.
BASKETBALL: Lady Raiders sweep Thursday camp games; Raider boys split early in week
Coffee County’s Lady Raider basketball team ran away with three camp games on the road Thursday – beating Brentwood 43-27, Mt. Juliet 62-22 and White House Heritage 60-18. The Lady Raiders will be back at it on Friday before returning to Manchester for camp games next week.
On Thursday, CHS flexed its post game with rising junior Chloe Gannon, who scored 18, 14 and 17 in three games.
Senior Kiya Ferrell, who has returned to the basketball court after taking last year off, worked her way into double digits with 11 points against Mt. Juliet.
Senior Elli Chumley put 13 on the board against Whitehouse and Miranda Medley buried three 3-pointers to finish with 9 points.
Raider boys go 3-3 early in week
The Raider men went 3-3 at team camp at Cleveland High School Monday and Tuesday, picking up wins over Brainard, Chattanooga Central and East Ridge.
Coffee County’s boys are at camp in Shelbyville Thursday and Friday.
Braves suffer second straight walk-off loss to Phillies
With 102 games remaining, the Braves hope to avoid the frustration they have felt over the past two months, but especially the past two days at Citizens Bank Park.
“It’s been a challenge the first couple of months,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “You can let it go one way, but I think we’re too good of a team to let it go that way. So I think we’re just gonna keep fighting back, keep fighting back and we’ll get going here soon.”
Freeman expressed this hope shortly after Atlanta (29-31) blew a 10th-inning lead and suffered a walk-off loss for the second straight game. The Braves’ attempt to win the three-game series evaporated as Chris Martin allowed the Phillies to construct a three-run 10th and claim a 4-3 win on Thursday afternoon.
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Raider basketball to host skills camp for boys, girls June 21
Coffee County Central Red Raider basketball team will host a skills camp from June 21-23 for aspiring basketball players.
The camp will cost $50 and will be from 9 a.m. until noon on June 21, 22 and 23. Camp is open for kids entering third through 8th grade in the upcoming school year. Boys and girls are welcome.
Concession will be open. There will be contests, prizes and t-shirts. Campers can register at 8 a.m. June 21 at Joe Frank Patch Gym at CHS.
FOOTBALL: Shelbyville football postseason ban lifted
Shelbyville Central’s football team – one of Coffee County Central High School’s new region opponents – has caught a break from the TSSAA.
The TSSAA Board of Control on Wednesday approved that Shelbyville and Franklin County football teams are now both eligible for the 2021 playoffs.
The two schools were involved in a fight last season and were placed on probation that included a postseason ban for 2021. That has now been lifted. Both teams were placed on “restrictive probation.”
A Shelbyville postseason ban in 2021 would have effectively guaranteed the Coffee County Red Raiders a trip to the playoffs with the top four teams in each region earning a trip. Only five teams are in Region 3-6A.
The new region 3-6A for the 2021 season is Coffee Co., Cookeville, Lebanon, Shelbyville and Warren Co.
Below is Coffee County’s 2021 football schedule. The Red Raiders play all games on Thunder Radio – your Coffee County Sports Authority. Listen at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
Regular Season
Aug. 20 AT Franklin County – 7 p.m.
Aug.. 27 vs. Tullahoma – 7 p.m.
Sept. 3 AT Shelbyville * 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 vs. Page – 7 p.m.
Sept. 17 AT Lebanon* 7 p.m.
Sept. 24 – AT Spring Hill – 7 p.m.
Oct. 1 – vs. Warren Co.* – 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 – OPEN
Oct. 15 – vs. Cookeville – 7 p.m.
Oct. 22 – vs. Rockvale – 7 p.m.
Oct. 29 AT Rhea County – 6:30 p.m.
An * denotes region game.
Bold games at home.
Braves back to .500 after comeback win over Phillies
Ronald Acuña Jr. hit one of the most impressive homers you can see. But the value of his powerful three-hit night may have actually been trumped by the ones constructed by Austin Riley and William Contreras.
Anyone who witnessed the monstrous solo shot Acuña hit in the third inning might still be talking about it decades from now. But that solo shot wasn’t any more important than the key hits Riley and Contreras tallied during a five-run eighth that gave the Braves a 9-5 comeback win over the Phillies on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
“That was just a good, hard-fought win,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “We lost a lead and then came back. A lot of really good things happened.”
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Claybusters show out at Big Springs
The Coffee County Central High School Claybusters had a big showing at Big Springs Clay Targets last week – with several shooters leaving with awards.
Braves recall Shane Greene to bolster bullpen
Nearly two months after watching the Braves play from beyond the outfield seats at Truist Park, Shane Greene returned to his perch within Atlanta’s bullpen.
Greene’s much-anticipated return was realized when the Braves recalled him from Triple-A Gwinnett prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Dodgers. The 32-year-old reliever remained a free agent until Atlanta signed him to a one-year, $1.5 million contract on May 9. He’ll receive the prorated portion of this salary, meaning his cost will be closer to $1 million.
“The offseason was longer than ever, and I’m as ready as I can ever be,” Greene said.
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