Cocke County halts Anderson County’s postseason push
Anderson County’s Cindle Justice threw 78 strikes over six innings against Clinton in the Lady Mavericks’ first of two district tournament meetings against the Lady Dragons. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Lady Mavericks (24-13) were limited to just two hits in the game, as Reece Brock and Miranda McCracken each singled.
Although the final score appeared lopsided, the game remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning.
That’s when Cocke County — which defeated ACHS for the third time this season — broke through with four runs. The home team added three more in the sixth to seal the win.
Anderson County advanced to the region tournament after finishing as runner-up in the District 4-AAA tournament.
The Lady Mavericks dropped two games to Gibbs, the defending Class AAA state champion, including a 10-0 loss in the title game Friday and an 11-0 shutout in the winner’s bracket final on May 7.
In the May 7 game, ACHS managed just two hits — doubles from Alli McKamey and Ashton Thurman.
The Lady Mavericks reached the championship round with a 12-2 victory over Clinton on May 6. Freshman Bella Brummett went 3-for-3 with two doubles, five RBIs and three runs scored. Fellow freshman Thurman was 3-for-4 with a double, three stolen bases, three RBIs and one run.
Senior Kaycee Baldwin, the team’s leadoff hitter, had three hits, including a double. She also scored three runs and swiped two bases. Cindle Justice and Addison Grooms each doubled in the win.
Brummett and Justice also combined to pitch a five-hitter against the Lady Dragons. Kara Waddell contributed two hits, including a triple, and drove in three runs.
Baldwin continued to set the tone from the top of the lineup, but it was the freshman trio of Brummett, Thurman and Justice that powered the ACHS offense in its fourth win over Clinton in five meetings this season.
“I’ve had three freshmen — Bella, Ashton and Cindle — really step up for us,” ACHS Coach Lindsey Verner said. “I don’t know what it is about the Clinton game, but our girls really play well against them.
I know it’s a big rivalry, and that’s huge, but our girls really seem to rise to the occasion.”
The Lady Mavericks opened the district tournament with a 9-4 win over Clinton.
Thurman had four hits, two runs and a stolen base. McCracken doubled and drove in three, while Brummett went 3-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.
