CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Avon (Indiana) Orioles traveled to the Clarksville Academy Sports Complex to face the Cougars on Thursday afternoon as part of the Donny Everett Classic. A 10-run second inning powered the Orioles to an 18-7 win.
The Donny Everett Classic is a tournament hosted by Clarksville High across several high schools in the area, in memory of the late Donny Everett, a former Clarksville High and Vanderbilt pitcher.
Cougars head coach Dustin Smith, who coached against Everett, said it’s a great honor to be part of the tournament. “I had the privilege of coaching many games against Donny, and he was one of the greatest competitors. We have a great group of teams here, and great baseball is being played. Donny loved baseball, and his tournament has great baseball.”
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As for the game itself, the Cougars’ bats started hot in the first, with shortstop Colt Wallace hitting an RBI triple, second baseman Braxton Cox scoring him with an RBI double, and centerfielder Tristen Cobbler scoring him with an RBI single. However, the Orioles responded with a 10-run second inning, capped off by a grand slam by third baseman Jack Bland, and Avon ran away with the contest.
“Our pitching struggled early with their command,” Smith said. “We have to keep being a scrappy team to limit mistakes. When we don’t, we get beat. Today was one of those days where mistakes and free passes beat us. I am proud of the guys who fought back and had chances to get back into the game. Just couldn’t get that 2-out hit with multiple runners on.”
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