CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Rossview Hawks traveled to Clarksville High for game two of their rivalry series with the Wildcats on Wednesday. A six-run fourth inning fueled the Wildcats to a 13-3 mercy rule win in five innings, evening the District 13-4A series at one game apiece, and making their matchup on Friday night at Rossview a rubber match for the series win.

Jackson Perry got things started for the Hawks at the top of the first with an RBI to score Liam Stabile. The Wildcats responded with three runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by an RBI double from designated hitter Lucas Lingg. After Aiden Cano scored on a sacrifice fly in the top of the third, the Wildcats responded with two runs, off of RBI doubles from Kayden Pledger and Carter Hedruck. Every time the Hawks scored, the Wildcats had an answer.

“Our guys came out and were able to bounce back. We didn’t play well at their place,” said Wildcats head coach Brian Hetland. “We were able to have good at-bats, and they responded well anytime they got momentum. We needed to show that we were better than how we played on Tuesday.”

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Wildcats pitcher Braeden Taylor pitched a complete game for his squad, allowing runners on with walks, but only allowing two hits, and striking out four to never let things get out of hand. The bats then caught fire for Clarksville in the fourth, scoring six runs to capitalize on Rossview errors, and Lingg capped it off with a 2 RBI single. After the Hawks got one across off a Wildcat error in the fifth, Benton Barksdale scored on a wild pitch to walk it off and put an exclamation point on the win.

“Offensively, we created traffic, but we couldn’t score them,” said Hawks head coach Parker Holman. “You have to execute early when you get the opportunity, and we weren’t able to. The series is still ahead of us; we just have to show up and do our job. No bad days, no good days, just work.”

“Taylor was his own worst enemy, but pitched really well and let us not have to use another arm,” said Hetland. “Friday’s game is big for where the postseason will be. We play better in our park. We’re going to have to come out and play the way we’re capable of playing.”

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