Lady Dragons’ bats heating up as regular season nears end
by Ken Lay
The Clinton Lady Dragons celebrated Senior Night on Wednesday, April 17. The class of 2024 includes: Bree McKamey, Heaven Britt-Kimbriel, Allyson Bender, Tamara Rynes, Marissa Eccles and Tomi Taylor. The Lady Dragons faced the Anderson County Lady Mavericks and won the game 7-2. - Ricky Williams
The 2024 softball season has been a long one for Clinton High School.
The Lady Dragons have battled more than their fair share of injuries and, like all other area teams, they have been hampered by inclement weather throughout the year.
But Clinton is beginning to hit its stride as the 2024 campaign enters the home stretch.
The Lady Dragons had a big game to close out last week when they shut out crosstown rival Anderson County 15-0 on the road in a game that lasted just five innings due to the TSSAA mercy rule.
Clinton scored in every inning of the game. The Lady Dragons scored five runs in their final team at-bat in the top of the fifth.
Senior leadoff hitter and shortstop Tomi Taylor went 2-for-2 and hit two home runs. She also walked twice, scored four times and had four RBIs.
Taylor Sherwood was 2-for-3. She hit a home run, drove in four runs and scored three more.
Sara Bishop went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs and a run scored.
Elizabeth Graham was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Lynlee Adkins had a double and two RBIs.
Bree McKamey pitched a two-hit shutout and also had a big day at the plate. She had three hits and scored two runs.
In the circle, she threw a five-inning complete game.
She had five strikeouts in addition to giving up singles to Anderson County freshmen Ella Varner and Marlea Finstad.
Aydin Bond spent time on the mound at Northview Senior Academy in Kodak last Thursday night. The Mavericks lost the game in the bottom of the seventh when Northview’s Riley Murrell singled and knocked in the winning run. - Tony Cox
Anderson County played just two games on the baseball diamond last week, but the Mavericks won both and now have 16 wins for the season.
On Thursday, Anderson County completed a two-game District 4-AAA sweep against Cumberland Gap with a 13-3 victory at home over the Panthers.
In that contest, the Mavericks (16-6 overall, 5-1 in the district) came up with six doubles against Cumberland Gap pitching.
Aydin Bond, Morgan Clark, Jeremiah Owens, Trent Strickland, Will Ridenour and Trey Rowe all had extra-base hits.
Ridenour and Clark each had two hits and combined to drive in two runs.
Clark scored a game-high three runs for the Mavericks, while Bond had three RBIs and Rowe added two.
On the mound in Thursday’s game, Luke Lankford started and picked up the win as he pitched 4.1 innings. He yielded five hits, three runs (none earned) and three walks. He struck out eight Panthers.
He was replaced by Ridenour, who threw 1.2 innings of scoreless relief and recorded three strikeouts in the game that was rained out twice last week.
The series opened with a 10-0 victory over Cumberland Gap on Monday, April 8, behind a no-hitter by Alex Bond. He tossed a five-inning complete game. He recorded 13 of 15 outs via the strikeout, and hit one batter.
Tyson Bradley went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and one RBI, while Reece Wilkerson had a double, scored twice and drove in a run.
Vance Laster set the new school record for the 2,000-meter steeple- chase event at the Volunteer Track Classic with a time of 6:32.96. - Tony Cox
Anderson County High School’s track and field programs sent athletes to two top meets last week.
The Mavericks and Lady Mavericks competed in the University of Tennessee’s Volunteer Track Classic at Tom Black Track over the weekend.
In the girls’ two-mile run, Kaitlyn Fisher came in 19th as she posted a time of 12 minutes, 34.28 seconds.
For the ACHS boys, Vance Laster had top times in two events as he finished 10th in the one-mile run (4:33.70), and finished fourth in the 2,000-meter steeplechase. He completed that race in 6:32.96, a school record.
Luke Dark placed sixth in the shot put competition as he recorded a mark of 52-0.25. Joseph Hall was ninth in long jump (19-11.5) and Ace Dunegan had a leap of 5-4 and he came in 13th in the high jump.
Ella Varner covers first base for the Lady Mavs. - Ricky Williams
Despite seeing his young team continuing to struggle on the diamond, Anderson County High School softball Coach Allen Russell continues to remain upbeat.
“We’re getting better every day,” Russell said.
The Lady Mavericks did close out last week on a high note as they routed Coalfield 11-2 at home.
Kaycee Baldwin, Anderson County’s leadoff hitter and centerfielder, was 2-for-5 against the Lady Jackets.
She came up with a triple, knocked in three runs and scored two more.
Alli McKamey had three hits, including a double.
Ashlynn Grisham had two hits and drove in two runs for the Lady Mavs.
Alexis Siebers went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Reese Brock doubled, scored two runs and drove in another.
Ella Varner singled, scored and knocked in a run in the contest.
On Thursday, the Lady Mavericks closed out their District 4-AAA series against crosstown rival Clinton with a 15-0 loss at home as Lady Dragons pitcher Bree McKamey threw a two-hit shutout.
Clinton’s Sadie Haney finished the 100-meter dash in 13.82. - Tony Cox
Clinton High School track Coach Tim Kumes said he is pleased with the progress of both the Dragons and Lady Dragons as the season kicks into high gear.
The Dragons and Lady Dragons competed in the Rick Cathey Shootout Thursday night at Karns High School in Knoxville.
For the Clinton girls, Summer Wilson posted a pair of top-15 finishes in her events as she took 13th in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 7 minutes, 21.48 seconds. She was 14th in the 800-meter run, crossing the finish line in 2:59.08.
Also in the girls’ 1,600-meter run, Summer Wilson finished ninth (6:54.58).
In the girls’ shot put competition, Kenzlee Hutchison came in third with a mark of 30 feet, 5.5 inches, while Hannah Whittley took 16th (22-8.25).
For the Dragons, Donnavin Pencek had a pair of top marks last week as he finished eighth in the 100-meter dash (11.65 seconds) and came in 10th in the 200-meter dash, posting an effort of 24.01.
YOU’RE OUT: Clinton second baseman Garrett Davis makes the tag on the William Blount runner during Saturday morning’s game at Loudon High School. - Tony Cox
After splitting its two-game home-and-home District 4-AAA series against Union County, the Clinton High School baseball team had a rough stay at the I-75 Pile-up, a tournament co-hosted by Loudon and Lenoir City.
The Dragons closed out tournament play with a 6-0 loss to William Blount. Clinton managed just one hit against the Governors, a double by Jackson Barrett.
On Friday, CHS came up on the short end of an 8-2 decision against the Lenoir City Panthers, one of the tournament’s co-hosts.
Barrett had a hit and two RBIs against Lenoir City, while Garrett Lee had two runs and a hit in the contest.
Harrison Shelton went 1-for-3 with a double.
The Dragons played two games in the tournament Thursday.
They opened with an 8-0 loss to the Loudon Redskins.
In that game, Clinton mustered just one hit, a single by Shelton.
Clinton also played Alcoa and fell 8-2, despite outhitting the Tornadoes 5-4.
Lee doubled against Alcoa, while Shelton, Isaiah Slaven. Jackson Webb and Jayce Mack all collected singles.
The Dragons notched their lone victory when they defeated Union County at home on Tuesday, April 16.
Slaven tossed a two-hit shutout against the Patriots.
He walked one and struck out five.
Garrett Davis tripled and scored for the Dragons.
Shelton drove in the game’s only run.
Clinton opened the week with a 5-3 loss to Union County on Monday, April 15, in Maynardville.
A perfect record remained intact for the Norris Middle School baseball team last week.
The Senators improved to 18-0 by sweeping a pair of doubleheaders.
On Thursday, Norris swept Oliver Springs by winning a pair of games by seven runs. The Senators claimed the first game against the Wildcats 11-4. They won the nightcap 10-3.
In Game 1, Memphis Hill led the Norris offense as he went 3-for-3. He had a double, a run scored and an RBI. Aiden Walker and Reese Young both came up with two hits. Walker had a double and two RBIs, while Young scored three runs.
Levi Skeen went 1-for-3. He scored two runs, drove in another, and recorded a stolen base.
Jack Wilson was 1-for-4 with a run scored. Wesley Howard, singled, scored and drove in a pair. Conner Dabney went 1-for-1 with two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI.
In Game 2 against the Bobcats, Young went 2-for-3. He doubled, scored, recorded an RBI and stole three bases. Hill singled and drove in two runs and scored another.
On Monday, April 15, Norris swept Philadelphia in a doubleheader. The Senators won the first game 9-6 before taking the second 7-3.
In Game 1, Skeen doubled and scored twice, while Jack Wilson doubled, scored and drove in a run. Young was 1-for-2 with a triple, a run and two RBIs.
In the nightcap, Wilson had two hits. He also stole a base, recorded a run and had an RBI. Aiden Walker was 1-for-1 with two RBIs and a run scored.
As the 2024 high school baseball regular season enters its home stretch, Oak Ridge has its offense clicking.
The Wildcats scored a total of 26 runs in three wins.
“We had a good week, but we have some big games ahead of us this week,” ORHS Coach Travis Free said.
The Wildcats (17-8-1 overall, 7-2 in District 3-4A) closed out the week with a 7-3 victory over Bearden on Thursday. It was Oak Ridge’s second victory over the Bulldogs this season.
That wasn’t just a big win for the Wildcats. It was huge for the league, which has posted several wins against the teams in District 4-4A, the other league that makes up the Knoxville area region in the classification.
“That shows that District 3 is here and that can’t be forgotten about,” Free said. “Everybody talks about District 4 and Farragut and how dominant they are, but I think our district has a winning record in games that we’ve played against their district.”
Against the Bulldogs, Alex Franklin posted a solid start on the mound as he pitched four innings and allowed just three hits and two unearned runs. He walked two and struck out one.
At the plate, he also came up with three hits, including two doubles and three RBIs.
In its lone game last week, Clinton Middle School’s baseball team notched a lopsided victory over Coalfield, prevailing 9-2.
Hawks pitcher Jayden Cuevas tossed a one-hitter against the Yellow Jackets. He hurled six innings and gave up two runs (one earned), one hit and one walk. He struck out 10 Coalfield hitters.
Offensively, he had a double and two stolen bases.
Clinton (4-4) received offensive production from throughout its lineup. Leadoff hitter Eric Newport went 1-for-3. He had a double and two RBIs.
Evan Carmichael, meanwhile, was 2-for-5. He scored twice and stole a pair of bases.
Graysen Crowley was 1-for-1 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.
Easton Gilliam had a hit and scored a run.
Erick Tirado went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored.
Bryson Breeden came up with two hits, two runs and three RBIs.
Caleb Rice was 1-for-3 with a double, two stolen bases and a run scored.
The Norris Middle School softball team played in three games last week and was victorious in all three.
On Tuesday, April 16, the Lady Senators swept Cherokee, winning the first game 15-0, and prevailing in the nightcap 14-1.
In the opener, Norris’ Cindle Justice pitched a three-inning complete game. She allowed one hit and one walk, and struck out eight.
She also made an offensive contribution as she went 1-for-1 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored.
Shyla Tindell was 1-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs. Jaycee Hunley went 1-for-1 with a stolen base and two runs scored.
Bella Brummett went 1-fo-2, scoring two runs and driving in two more.
Meghan Watkin and Izzy Aulisio each had a hit, two runs and an RBI. Ashton Thurman went 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI. Alice Ogan was 1-for-2 with a run scored.
In the nightcap, Tindell pitched and went three innings. She gave up one run, two hits and one walk. She finished with six strikeouts.
She also went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Riley Gibson was 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored. She also drove in three runs.
Harlee Taylor was 2-for-2 with a double, two runs and three RBIs.
On Monday, April 15, the Lady Senators defeated Clinton 5-3.
Brummett came up with three hits, including a triple. She scored a run and knocked in two more. Ogan was 2-for-3. She tripled, scored and knocked in a run. Tindell had two hits and scored a run, while Justice went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.
Oak Ridge High School’s boys soccer team posted a win and a draw in two matches last week.
Both matches were at home as the Wildcats tied Class AA state powerhouse Alcoa 2-2 Friday night.
Emmett Lee scored a goal and recorded an assist for ORHS (8-3-1 overall, 4-1 in District 3-AAA). Eli Lynch tallied the other marker for the Wildcats against the Tornadoes.
On Tuesday, April 16, the Wildcats notched a 1-0 victory over Knox Central in a key league match.
Lee opened his big week by scoring the lone marker against the Bobcats in the 30th minute of the match.
The Wildcats, Knox Central and Knoxville Halls are now all perched atop the district standings.
The Red Devils defeated Oak Ridge in a penalty kicks shootout.
Central edged Halls in overtime, and Oak Ridge knocked off the Bobcats.
