MURFREESBORO, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville High Wildcats played game two of their state tournament run against the Green Hill Hawks on Thursday. The Wildcats got up early and never relented, scoring 18 runs to blow out the Hawks 18-2 in five innings, and advance them to the state semifinals Friday at 2 p.m.

The Wildcats started the game swinging, with designated hitter Carter Hedrick hitting a grand slam in the first inning. Three players for the Wildcats had three or more RBIs, including catcher Korbin Reynolds’ six RBIs on four hits, a triple shy of the cycle.

“These guys were in swing mode,” said Wildcats head coach Brian Hetland. “When you play a team a third time, it’s never easy, and that’s a quality team. Korbin had a great day and stepped up like he has all year. Carter is a heck of a player and helped us to build momentum.”

Not to be outdone by the offensive showcase, Clarksville left-handed pitcher Porter Murff allowed only one hit in a complete game, five-inning outing, striking out eight. Anytime the Hawks had hopes of a comeback, Murff diminished it. Next, the Wildcats will face the winner of Oak Ridge and Green Hill. The Wildcats need just one win to advance to the state title game, while the team that faces them will have to beat them twice.

“Porter took this game and competed,” said Hetland. “When we saw Porter looking as good as he did today, we knew we were going to let him ride the whole game. Our guys have to rest tonight, because there’s going to be a hungry team coming to get us tomorrow. We want to get it done in the first game.”

Wednesday’s game: Wildcats down Oak Ridge

The day before, on Wednesday, 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 Mike 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.

“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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