MURFREESBORO, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville High Wildcats traveled to Murfreesboro on Friday for game three of their TSSAA Class 4A State Tournament run against the Oak Ridge Wildcats. Each team traded blows all game long in a rollercoaster of a contest which needed ten innings to decide, before Cade Abernathy walked it off in the bottom of the tenth inning, giving the Wildcats a 7-6 win, advancing them to the state title game for the first time in program history.

Clarksville High was able to scrap together six runs in the contest, with three runs coming in the sixth inning alone. The offense was highlighted by shortstop Kayden Pledger collecting three RBIS on two doubles, and centerfielder Benton Barksdale collecting three hits.

However, Oak Ridge put up a fight, as they rallied in the seventh inning for four runs to tie the game. The Wildcats were unable to respond in the bottom of the inning, which sent the game to extras.

“When you’re playing a team like that, it’s never easy,” said Wildcats head coach Brian Hetland. “They’re well-coached and have talent everywhere. We had to balance trying to keep pitching for tomorrow and trying to win this one, and they did a great job fighting on both sides.”

Walk off winner

In extra innings, Clarksville High used several different pitchers. Right-handed pitcher Noah Baggett worked his way out of a jam as he went 1.2 inning pitched without allowing a hit or a run. Righty Jack Wyatt also pitched in extras, after previously pitching and going back to play left field. He recorded the final few outs in for the Wildcats in the 10th.

Then, Clarksville High worked the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the 10th. Abernathy then stepped to the plate and delivered a hit to earn the walk-off win, clinching the program’s first ever appearance in the state championship game.

“I just knew I had to get the job done,” said Abernathy. “The guy they had on the mound was hitting his spots, so I just went up there with a clean head and as calm as possible. It’s a fantastic feeling to be in the state title, it means we’ve left our mark on this program.”

Next, the Wildcats will return to Murfreesboro on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. for a winner-takes-all state title game against Farragut High. For Hetland and his squad, it’s about coming back and getting the job done.

“We have to just come out here and play,” said Hetland. “We have to realize, there are only two teams in the state left playing baseball, and that’s a special thing for us. We’re not satisfied by any means, but I’m really proud of them and really ecstatic for them to be in this spot. It’s going to be a good day.”

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