Cannon experiences ups and downs

DAVID HUNTER
Cannon Courier

The Cannon County high school spring sports teams had their share of ups and downs this week including some impressive wins and unfortunate losses. Here is a quick recap of all of the action.

Baseball
Cannon County 10, York 0 (5); York 6, Cannon County 4 (March 23)
In a key District 8-AA doubleheader, the Lions had its share of mixed emotions. In the first game, they dominated the Dragons by scoring at least one run in every inning to end the game early by a run rule after five innings.
Senior Nick Vassar got it done at the plate and on the mound for CCHS going 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI, while pitching five innings only giving up two hits and striking out seven in the win.
The second game was a different story as the Dragons fought back from a 3-2 deficit by four runs in the final two innings to pick up the split in the two-game series. The Lions' Jake Todd and Austin Martin each had a double, but they wasted an impressive pitching performance by Tucker Francis, who went five innings and had 11 strikeouts. However, it was not enough for CCHS.
Head coach Justin Fann had mixed emotions with his team after the split, "The first game we played really well. (Nick) Vassar threw the ball really well. Overall, in the first game we had a better approach at the plate than we did in the second game. In the second game, I was not pleased with our approach. I felt like we wasted a Tucker Francis pitching perfor-mance. He pitched really well for us. We need to work on our approach, especially against lefties."
Forrest 10, Cannon County 4 (March 26)
The Lions were missing one of their top players, Nick Vassar, and the Rockets took advantage as they scored eight runs in the second inning for the win. The game was called after six, because of heavy rain in Woodbury. CCHS only had four hits with Francis driving in two runs in the loss. Sam Schau was the losing pitcher for the Lions.
Watertown 3, Cannon County 0 (March 28)
The Lions suffered its third loss in a row this week, but the flu bug has hit the team. Vassar missed his second straight game and Jared Judkins also missed the game, because of the illness. CCHS is also without senior leader Trent Bragg who suffered a season-ending injury last week. The Lions only had four hits, including a double by Jackson Mason and Martin was the losing pitcher.

Boys Soccer
The Lions enjoyed a wide range of results this week with a tie, blowout loss, and their first win of the season.
Cannon County 4, Cascade 4 (March 24)
The Lions took an early lead during the first half, but the Champions fought back to earn the tie. Sophomore Jake Walkup scored his first ever hat-trick, and senior Sam Sissom added a goal for CCHS.
"I really enjoyed it, and I am glad my teammates helped me out," Walkup said. "They got me the ball and so I could score. I was expecting some goals, but I was not expecting a hat trick."
Murfreesboro Central Magnet 9, Cannon County 0 (March 26)
The Lions not only had to face a Tigers team, who advanced to the Spring Fling last season, but cold rainy conditions. Unfor-tunately, CMS proved why it will be a team to beat in the state this season as it led 8-0 after the first half. Halfway, through the second 40 minutes, the referees called the match with the Tigers up 9-0, and the rain coming down harder.
"Wet weather really did not help much with passing, moving the ball, and mostly playing defense," Walkup said. Cannon County 5, Sewanee-St. Andrews 0 (March 28)
The Lions finally did it after so many close calls, they finally got their first win of the season. CCHS got another hat trick this week, this time from senior Spencer Haley and junior Kody Margarito added another goal in the win.
"It was huge because we had been battling," Senior Marshall McReynolds said after the win. "We had a couple of close games. Usually, we are up at halftime but would could not pull it out for the entire game. This time we really got the job done, and we played two solid halves."

Softball
It was a light schedule for the Lionettes this week with only two games, but they were very important in the district standings.

Cannon County 4, Upperman 3 (March 24)
CCHS took an early lead, but Upperman scored three runs in the top of the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. However, senior sub Kendra Maynard, who replaced starting catcher Cheyenne Fann, late in the game when Fann suffered a freak injury heading back to the dugout after being replaced by pinch runner after a base hit in the bottom of the fourth, nailed a triple in the bottom of the sixth. The triple to left field scored junior Livia Walker and Molly Williams to give the Lionettes the lead for good.
Senior pitcher Kristen Hale went the entire distance, including closing the door on a Lady Bees rally in the top of the seventh to seal the win. "I knew I needed to get down to business, and shut them down, and that is what it took," Hale said.
CCHS head coach Gaylon Sissom added, "She to me is the best pitcher, and I will take her over anybody in the district."
DeKalb County 4, Cannon County 1 (March 26)
The Lionettes came into the game undefeated in the district, but they knew it order to be the best, they had to get through the Lady Tigers. DCHS year in and year out has been the standard of excellence in the district. However, CCHS fell short in a game, which was called after five innings, because of heavy rain in Smithville.
CCHS only had five hits with Hale and senior Sarah Hunt each hitting a double.