CMS goes on three-game tear after season opener loss

March 17, 2021

Clinton swung for the fences this week with three wins after starting with a loss.

The Dragons opened with a hard 13-7 loss to Oak Ridge last Monday after the Wildcats took an early lead. When the two teams met the next day for their rematch, though, it looked like the game would be a repeat before the Dragons roared back in the fifth inning to beat the Wildcats 9-4.

The team’s next two games against Claiborne County ended with two 10-0 wins for the Dragons, with pitcher Dallas Beets striking out eight and surrendering zero runs across six innings. The rematch between the two teams was another win for the Dragons when Camden Britton pitched for the team, not allowing a single run and throwing a complete shutout.

March 8 – vs. Oak Ridge at home

The Oak Ridge Wildcats fired up the offense in the first inning, when they got a single on a 3-2 count, scoring one run. The CMS Dragons put up four runs in the fifth inning, putting the pressure on the Wildcats.

Levi Smith led by a walk, a single by Hayden Harrell, a groundout by Brennan Tipton and an error on a ball put in play by Duggins. Barrett was on the hill for the Dragons.

The hurler surrendered five runs on one hit over two-thirds of an inning. Dallas Beets and Aden Golden entered the game in relief, throwing three innings and one and one-third innings respectively. Tipton, Sam Raley, Beets, Smith, Harrell and Golden all had one hit to lead the Dragons. Oak Ridge tore up the base path, as three players stole at least two bases each.

March 9 – vs Oak Ridge at Oak Ridge

The CMS Dragons claimed the lead in the fifth inning to take a 9-4 win.

The game was tied at four with the Dragons batting in the top of the fifth when Matthew Denton drew a walk, scoring one run.

Alex Duggins toed the rubber for the Dragons. He went three innings, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out two. Duggins, Harrell and Denton all had one hit to lead the Dragons. Tipton fueled the Dragons’ fire and sealed the Wildcats’ fate by stretching out to catch a line drive while making a double play at first.

March 11 - vs. Claiborne County at home.

Beets was brilliant on the mound on Thursday as he threw a no-hitter to lead CMS Dragons to victory. The Dragons got things started in the first inning when Golden singled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run.

They then notched three runs in the fifth inning, with Beets and Denton driving in runs in the frame.

Beets then led things off on the hill for the Dragons, surrendering zero runs on zero hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking one. The Dragons tallied 11 hits on the day.

Golden, Harrell and Duggins each managed multiple hits for the Dragons. Golden went 3-4 at the plate to lead in hits.

The Dragons did not have a single error in the field. Harrell had eight chances in the field, the most on the team. The Dragons tore up the base paths, as three players stole at least two bases each, Golden leading the way with four.

March 12 – vs. Claiborne County at

Claiborne

Camden Britton didn’t allow a single run against the Claiborne County Bulldogs, throwing a complete game shutout and leading CMS Dragons to a 10-0 victory on Friday.

The Dragons got things moving in the first inning and scored one run when Beets doubled. Britton pitched the Dragons to victory. The fireballer surrendered zero runs on two hits over six innings, striking out 11 and walking one. The Dragons scattered nine hits in the game.

Beets and Tipton each racked up multiple hits for the Dragons. Beets went three for four at the plate to lead the Dragons in hits.