MURFREESBORO, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville High Wildcats traveled to Oak Ridge High School, while the Rossview Hawks traveled to Siegel High School for their first games of the TSSAA state tournament on Wednesday. Clarksville High used a big fifth inning to defeat Oak Ridge High School 5-4, advancing them to the winner’s bracket. Meanwhile, Rossview fell to Siegel 5-0, sending them to the losers’ bracket and an elimination game Thursday morning.
Wildcats down Oak Ridge
The Clarksville High Wildcats faced the Oak Ridge Wildcats in game one of the TSSAA Class 4A State Tournament. Neither Wildcats team could scratch runs across in the first few innings, before Oak Ridge got two across in the fourth, and one across in the fifth for a 3-0 lead. Just when Clarksville’s offense seemed like it had no answer against Oak Ridge right-handed pitcher and Tennessee commit Mikee Teasley, the Wildcats erupted for five runs in the fifth. Mr. Baseball finalist Korbin Reynolds highlighted the inning with a 3-RBI double.
“We saw the best pitcher we’ve seen all year, and we just battled,” said Wildcats head coach Brian Hetland. “Early on, the game was too fast for us, and we were too excited in our approach. The guys were able to finally get some base runners in the fifth, and Korbin delivered as he has all year for us.”
Cooper Nebben led the way with a quality start for Clarksville, allowing only three hits and striking out 11 in six innings. Dawson Smith closed the game out in relief, allowing only one run in his inning of relief, to earn the Wildcats a win and keep them in the winner’s bracket. They will now face Green Hill at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.
“Cooper battled today and kept us in the game,” said Hetland. “Dawson came in and did a great job, and I’m so proud of these guys, it’s a huge win. We’re going to face a hungry team tomorrow, with a really quality arm. We need to be ready to be on top of our game tomorrow. Thank God we’re not playing at 10.”
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Siegel shuts out Rossview
The Rossview Hawks faced the Siegel Stars in game one of the TSSAA Class 4A State Tournament. While the Hawks’ offense almost matched Siegel in hits, the Stars got timely base knocks to score runners, and the Hawks were unable to scratch a runner across. The Hawks’ offense was led by senior left fielder Julian Richards who had two hits.
“Hats off to them, they beat us straight up,” said Hawks head coach Parker Holman. “It’s the first time all year we’ve been shut out. Their pitcher was tough to handle. We had some decent pitching, but they just found ways to get balls in play.”
Now, the Hawks will turn their attention to an elimination game, their third of the season so far, against the Independence Eagles at 10 a.m. Friday. For Holman, his message to his team is to fight for the right to keep the lights on.
“We’ve been in this spot before,” said Holman. “Our backs against the wall, and we have to fight. We have to earn the right to play baseball with your buddies as long as they let you. Whoever we go up against tomorrow, they’re going to have to take it from us.”
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