Clinton battles through loaded Chattanooga field
Clinton High School’s softball team continued to navigate a rugged schedule over the weekend as it competed in a tournament in Chattanooga.
The Lady Dragons (4-5) opened tournament play Friday with a 4-3 loss to Ooltewah.
Clinton senior Elizabeth Graham went 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a run scored against the Lady Owls, while Bryana Holt went 1-for-2 and drove in a run.
In their second game of the tournament, the Lady Dragons dropped a 4-0 decision to Plainview, a four-time defending state champion from Alabama.
Clinton managed three hits as Holt, Tegan Bunch and Ellie Kiely all singled.
CHS picked up its first win of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Nolensville.
Mandy Chambers fired a five-hit shutout over four innings. She walked one and struck out three. Chambers also had two hits, while Graham added one.
Clinton also notched a 3-1 victory over Hixson as Chambers and Maples combined on a three-hitter in the circle.
Topanga Easterday went 2-for-2 with a run scored, while Graham went 2-for-3 and scored twice. Chambers had two hits, and Holt doubled.
In its final tournament game, Clinton dropped a 5-2 decision in a rematch against Plainview.
Chambers had two hits, including a home run. She drove in two runs and scored once. Reynolds singled twice and scored a run.
Overall, Clinton Coach Leonard Sams said he was pleased with his team’s effort.
“We played the best competition that we’ve played in about three years,” Sams said. “We started with Ooltewah, and they’re really good. Then we played a four-time state champion, Plainview, I think they’re from Alabama.
“We pitched well and we played good defense. The one place that was a disappointment was our hitting. We left 34 runners on base, so do you think I’ll be addressing that? But we had three girls hit really well. Mandy Chambers hit a home run, and Elizabeth Graham and Bryana Holt hit the ball really well.”
