CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville High Wildcats hosted the Houston Mustangs for game three of a sub-state series, in a win-or-go-home matchup, with a trip to the state tournament on the line. It was a back-and-forth battle, but the Wildcats claimed a 6-4 win and are headed back to the state tournament for a third consecutive year, and their fourth in the last five years.

With their season on the line, Houston came out swinging, blasting a two-run homer to start the scoring in the contest. Clarksville High responded with two runs of their own, with RBIs from senior left fielder Jack Wyatt and senior third baseman Cade Abernathy.

However, the Wildcats would find themselves down 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth thanks to another Houston High home run. That was until Abernathy returned to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, and he delivered with a 3-run RBI double as the Wildcats took a late lead.

The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Korbin Reynolds as The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Clarksville High School Wildcats defeated the Houston Mustangs in Game 3 of the Regional Finals on May 15, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

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“It was an emotional series the whole time,” said Wildcats head coach Brian Hetland. “We knew it wasn’t going to be some blowout of a game. A real special game between two great programs, and our guys battled and fought the whole game.”

The Wildcats pitching rotation was on full display last night from three different arms on the mound. Junior lefty Braeden Taylor got the start and only allowed three hits before junior right-handed pitcher Dawson Smith came in relief, allowing only one hit in 3.1 innings worked. Senior right-handed pitcher Kirk Weatherford was the closing act, as he slammed the door shut and recorded the final six outs of the game.

Now, CHS returns to the state tournament, with more work to do to compete for a title next week. They begin their journey against Oak Ridge High on Tuesday at Oakland High School.

“We’ve played the best of the best all year to prepare for this moment,” Hetland told Clarksville Now. “Going to three straight has never been done before, and this is a special place with special people. I’m just so proud of this team. We’ve got kids that have heart, grit, and we’re going down there to do some damage.”

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