Just as TSN had stated, the opening game of the TSSAA State Championships at Reese Smith Jr Field Friday proved to be the game we all expected, a “gem”. And after the dust had settled, the Columbia Academy Dawgs (31-9) had their first Class A TSSAA Championship in 24 years and 2nd trip in 16 years, a 1-0 hard fought victory over the Loretto Mustangs and Vanderbilt signee Ryan Weathers.
CA head coach Richie Estep told TSN after the win he was very proud of his team. He said, “no one was giving them a chance vs Weathers, we have nothing to lose, all we had to do is go out here and play.” That they did, with gem after gem on defense and turing two big double-plays in the game that squashed Loretto rallies.
RUNS wasn’t going to come easy in this game with the likely 1st round draft pick Weathers. He struck out 11, allowed 5 hits and ended his career with the Mustangs in the 9th (34-4) 11-0 with 135 K’s and 8 walks. He gave up 1 earned run in 69&1/3 innings. He said, “it was hard having to come out in his last game for Loretto.” Weathers left in the 9th having tossed 104 pitches.
His counter part for CA, William Huey also went 9 striking out 8 allowing 4 hits, walking 6. Huey also had his shining moment.
It was in the top of the 12th, a double to the wall scored Blake Kincaid who had double prior to Huey’s at bat, giving the Bulldogs the precious lead 1-0. That advantage held with great work on the mound from reliever Andrew Logsdon going 3 and fanning 3 and giving up 4 hits.
The biggest deciding play in the 11 innings was in the bottom of the 11th. Loretto had runners at 1st and 3rd, with 1 out and a chance to win the game. A missed bunt by batter Jason Sharpton left the runner at third hung out to dry. Catcher Ballard threw down to 3rd and the run-down was on. When it was all said the done, the runner coming from 1st got tagged out along with Sharpton to end the inning and threat.
And you know the rest, Columbia Academy is your 2018 TSSAA Class A Champions with the 1-0 win.
Other Scores:
Class AA Championship: Greeneville 11, Riverside 0
Class AAA Championship: Rossview 11, Brentwood 1
Div.II Class A: CAK 6, Tipton-Rosemark 5
Div.II Class AA: Baylor 12, MUS 4
Softball Finals:
Class A: Summertown 7, Sale Creek 5
Class AA: Meigs Co. 3, White House Heritage 1
Class AAA: Powell 2, Walker Valley 1
Div.II Class A: Silverdale 6, Tipton-Rosemark 4
Div.II Class AA: Baylor 4, GPS 3