Big bats ignite
Clinton piles up runs, earns victories at Eastman Classic
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Clinton senior Elizabeth Graham squares up a pitch and drives it deep into left field during the Lady Dragons’ matchup against Union County on Thursday, March 26. Graham went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, two RBIs and a run scored to lead Clinton to a 4-2 victory. - Tony Cox
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Clinton’s Elizabeth Maples exchanges fist bumps with the umpiring crew during pregame introductions before the Lady Dragons’ road matchup at Union County. - Tony Cox
Clinton High School softball Coach Leonard Sams makes no secret that his team plays one of the area’s toughest schedules.
He also makes no secret that it’s by design.
The Lady Dragons were in the Eastman Classic over the weekend, where they competed against some of the state’s top teams. And Clinton’s longtime head coach couldn’t have been much happier with the results.
“Our kids played so darn good,” Sams said Sunday after returning home from the long trip. “We played well against some great teams.”
While in northeast Tennessee, the Lady Dragons picked up a pair of wins against Greeneville.
They closed out their stay with a narrow 4-3 loss to West Ridge.
Mandy Chambers went 2-for-2 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in the tournament finale for Clinton. Elizabeth Graham also had a pair of hits. She drove in one run and scored another, while Sara Bishop singled and scored.
In their second tournament game, the Lady Dragons routed Greeneville 8-2.
Clinton used a fast start to propel itself into the win column. The Lady Dragons scored five runs in the opening frame and added three more in the third inning.
Chambers had a pair of extra-base hits as she doubled and tripled. She also crossed the plate twice and had an RBI, while Bryana Holt tripled, drove in one run and scored another.
Norah Elliott went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
The Lady Dragons dropped a 7-2 decision to Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett.
Against the Lady Indians, McKenna Gavin went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Tegan Bunch tripled. Bishop and Elliott both singled, while Holt had an RBI.
Clinton also routed Chilhowie, 12-3. In that game, Chambers had two hits, including a double. She drove in one run and scored another.
Graham went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Bishop had a hit, an RBI and scored twice, while Maddisyn Reynolds went 0-for-0 but walked four times and scored three runs. Holt singled, scored and knocked in three runs. Elliott went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run.
Chambers also had three hits and three RBIs in a 6-4 win over Greeneville.
Clinton opened tournament play with a 7-5 victory over David Crockett as Holt, Chambers and Graham all had big games at the plate.
Thursday, Clinton beat Union County 4-2 in a District 4-AAA game. Graham went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Chambers doubled, scored and drove in two runs.
Clinton opened league play last week with a 6-3 district loss to Gibbs.
“We played well against Gibbs but we had some errors that cost us some runs,” Sams said. “And you can’t do that against Gibbs because they’re a good team and they’re well-coached.”
Holt, Reynolds, Bunch and Graham all contributed offensively for the Lady Dragons against the Lady Eagles.
