Softball tourneys begin Friday
The 2024 high school softball season is now in the rear-view mirror and area teams are now embarking on the postseason and their respective district tournaments.
Anderson County will host Cumberland Gap on Friday in a District 4-AAA play-in game. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m.
The Lady Mavericks close out the regular season with a make-up game at Cumberland Gap today with first pitch slated for 5:30 p.m.
Anderson County won the first meeting between the two schools, run-ruling the Lady Panthers, 10-0 early in the season.
Lady Mavs’ coach Allen Russell said that his young squad must play well if it is to advance into the district tournament on Monday.
“If we play like we’re supposed to, we should be okay,” Russell said. “But if we play like a bunch of freshmen, then we’re going to be in trouble.”
The host Lady Eagles are the No. 1 seed.
Clinton, by virtue of its double header sweep over Scott Monday night at its new ballpark, will be the No. 2 seed and open tournament play Monday.
The Lady Dragons beat the Lady Highlanders 12-0 in the opener Monday and notched a 13-0 win in the second game.
Bree McKamey threw a no-hitter in the first game and tossed a three-hitter in the nightcap. She finished the evening with 18 strikeouts in nine innings of work in the circle.
Clinton has won its last six regular-season games and coach Leonard Sams said that he thinks his team is now poised to make a postseason run.
Oak Ridge will play in the District 3-4A Tournament at Powell on Friday. The Lady Wildcats will play Knox Central at 5:30 p.m.
ORHS won three straight games last week and are heading into the postseason riding a modest crest of momentum.
“It was big for us to win those three games,” ORHS coach Jeremy Gill said.