Tuesday, April 19, 2016 12:08 pm

DAVID HUNTER
The Cannon Courier
The Cannon County Spring Sports teams continued play last week with some ups and downs, including the High School baseball team winning a tournament a few days ago.

CCHS Baseball
The Lions roared to a tournament win on April 9 at the Clarkrange Classic winning three games on the same day.
"We played three games on Saturday with breaks up to four hours so we had a lot of lazy time that could hurt a lot of teams," CCHS baseball head coach Colin Jones said. "Our guys handled it well and we were able to stay consistent all day without any big errors and great pitching with excellent hitting led to three big wins."
Jones added the Lions got strong pitching from Jared Judkins, Sam Schau, Garrett Alexander and Preston Campbell. The offense was also red hot, averaging over 15 hits in each of the three wins. Tucker Francis and Jared Judkins each went deep for the first time ever in their high school careers. Austin Martin, Schau, Briar Jakes, Judkins and Kailan McGill also had big hits for CCHS during the tournament.
CCHS entered back into district play on April 12 with a doubleheader at Upperman since the April 11 game at home was postponed because of weather. The Lions lost both games 5-4 and 4-0, including a walk off after they fought back to tie the score in the top of the seventh.

CCHS Softball
The Lionettes lost three district games during the past few days, including a doubleheader sweep at Livingston on April 7 losing 14-1 and 12-2. Shelby Earls, Livia Walker and Kelsie Smith scored the three runs for CCHS.
They returned home on April 12 against Murfreesboro Central Magnet. The first meeting earlier this season had a lot of offense with the Lionettes winning 19-16, and the second go around was no different.
However, CCHS lost in heartbreaking fashion as MCMS broke a 6-6 tie in the top of the ninth with four runs to make it 10-6. The Lionettes had runners on first and third with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Tigers defense held on to split the season series. Earls scores twice to lead CCHS, while Bailey Sims, Walker, Laura Beth Nichols and Jylian Jones also scored in the loss.
The Lionettes bounced back in thrilling fashion on April 14 with a walk-off win against district foe Smith County, which turned into a pitcher's duel for six innings. Neither pitcher including Lionettes starter, junior Joie McCrary gave up a run until the seventh as the Lady Owls got on the board first to take a 1-0 lead. After the run was scored, CCHS head coach Brittany Cook made her second appearance on the mound in the same inning. Under TSSAA rules, when it happens, the team has to change pitchers, so Walker came in and Lionettes did not give up another run as junior third baseman Kallie McCrary made a spectacular double play to end the inning.
"I think tonight was one of the best games we have played defensively," Walker said. "Joie (McCrary) on the mound did awesome, because that was her best game yet. We made some really good plays that helped keep the game close."
The Lionettes were down to its final at-bat, and senior pitch hitter Jylian Jones singled to right to get things started. Junior Tori Jones came in as a runner, and she tied the game when sophomore Allie St. John nailed a triple to deep right field. Walker brought home St. John in walk-off fashion to help CCHS win, 2-1.
"It was a really good way to end this week," St. John said. "It was good for us to get a win, because we needed one for a while."

Jr Lionette Softball
The Cannon County middle school team has been busy during the past few days on the softball diamond. It fell to Watertown, 9-4 on April 7, and split a doubleheader against White County, a day later losing 11-3 and winning 10-0. Their game against MTCS was rained out on April 11.
The Junior Lionettes made it three straight wins without giving up a single run after they defeated Westwood 11-0 on April 12, and Eagleville by the same score two days later. During the win on April 14 against the Lady Eagles, eighth grader Caroline Blanton connected on a home run as the Junior Lionettes scored four runs during the first two innings, five runs in the fourth, and two in the fifth in the dominating victory. The CC defense held their opponents scoreless, and seventh grader Maddie Arnold was the winning pitcher.
"It just feels really good for us, and I hope we keep it up," Caroline Blanton said. "I am glad to get a good hit to help the team out."