MURFREESBORO, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Academy Cougars traveled to Middle Tennessee State University for the TSAAA Division II-A State Championship game. The Cougars’ defense held the Bulldogs to only two runs but couldn’t get the bats going, as they fell 2-0, while being honored as the state runner-up for the first time in program history.
Early on, the Cougars’ defense got themselves out of a few jams. The Bulldogs scored one run on a sacrifice bunt in the second inning, but that was all the runs for both squads through four innings of action. Clarksville Academy right-handed pitcher Chris Irby dominated on the mound, as he threw for a complete game and only allowed three hits and one earned run. He also struck out three batters and walked one.
Columbia Academy added one more run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth, which meant the Cougars had to respond. CA was able to string together five of their six hits in the final three innings, but could not scratch a runner across, ending their season in the state championship.
“It’s tough, this team has meant so much to me,” said Clarksville Academy head coach Dustin Smith. “We put them through the grind, and we told them if you want to be champions, you’re going to have to fight. They gave it everything they had, and that’s what makes it difficult; we couldn’t have asked for anymore.”
The Cougars may have lost at MTSU, but it was a season of history for the program. Clarksville Academy compiled a record of 30-12, winning their first region title in program history. They not only made the state final four, but won four games in the state tournament, and fought till the final out.
“These seniors left the program better than they found it,” said Smith. “They trusted us to lead them, and they were a big part of this program. We wouldn’t be here without any of them. These young guys had great role models, and they’re hungry to get back here next year.”
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