Lady Mavericks outduel rival Clinton to close tourney
by Ken Lay
Kaycee Baldwlin slides into home plate during Anderson County’s 14-4 win over Eagleton. Baldwin had four runs and an RBI for the Lady Mavericks during the Saturday afternoon game against the visiting Lady Royals. - Tony Cox
Anderson County High School’s softball team closed out a busy week in impressive fashion Saturday, defeating crosstown rival Clinton 3-2 in the Clinch River Tournament.
The two-day event was co-hosted by the Lady Mavericks and Lady Dragons.
The Lady Mavericks (10-4) were led by senior centerfielder and leadoff hitter Kaycee Baldwin, who went 2-for-3 and scored twice. Marlea Finstad added a 2-for-4 effort with a run scored.
Addison Grooms picked up the win in the circle for Anderson County. She pitched six innings, allowing two runs on 13 hits and four walks, while striking out three.
Freshman Cindle Justice came on in relief in the seventh and notched the save with two strikeouts.
“Cindle is doing well,” Lady Mavericks Coach Lindsey Verner said. “She does a good job when she’s called upon.
“Addy pitched well, but Clinton had seen her three or four times,” Verner said.
“They were starting to get to her, and they hadn’t really seen Cindle unless it was in middle school. That was a great game. We played well, and Clinton played well. I was proud of our girls, and I was proud of Clinton.”
Elizabeth Maples started the game in the circle for the Lady Dragons. She pitched 2-1/3 innings. - Tony Cox
The Clinton Lady Dragons took to the field six times last week and won four games behind a red-hot offense.
“Our girls are swinging some big bats right now,” Lady Dragons Coach Leonard Sams said. “They’re really hitting the ball well.”
The Lady Dragons spent the weekend co-hosting a tournament with Anderson County.
The two crosstown rivals closed the weekend playing against each other, with the Lady Mavericks posting a 3-2 victory.
Although the Lady Dragons outhit ACHS 13-7, they committed six errors in the contest.
Pitcher Taylor Sherwood took the tough-luck loss in the circle as all three of the Lady Mavericks’ runs were unearned. She gave up seven hits and five walks, while striking out four.
Sherwood, who also bats leadoff, went 1-for-5 at the plate.
“Taylor was really fatigued in that game,” Sams said. “She gave up three unearned runs.”
Lynlee Adkins had three hits against the Lady Mavericks, while Elizabeth Graham and Mandy Chambers each contributed two.
Graham also doubled and scored in Clinton’s third game of the day.
Clay Fletcher picked up the win on Tuesday night against Greenback. Fletcher hurled six strikeouts and walked two in his four innings pitched. The Mavericks beat the Chiefs 11-0. - Tony Cox
Anderson County High School’s baseball team continued its 2025 campaign by winning two of three games last week.
The Mavericks (4-4) suffered their lone loss of the week Saturday, falling 9-2 to District 3-AAA favorite Seymour on the road.
Blake Lowe accounted for both of Anderson County’s runs, belting a solo home run in the top of the first inning and driving in the team’s second run. He finished 1-for-3.
Trent Strickland had two hits against the Eagles, while Nelson Benson went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
On Friday, the Mavericks shut out The King’s Academy 5-0 behind a dominant complete-game effort from Wil Ridenour, who tossed a two-hitter with five strikeouts over seven innings.
Ridenour also helped his cause at the plate, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
