CCHS Spring Sports open 2015 season with mixed success

After a crazy winter, which included two significant snowfalls, and heavy rain that affected preseason practice and the cancellation of action during the first week of the spring season, all four Cannon County spring sports were in action with mixed results as each of them try to compete for District 8AA titles and beyond this season.

The baseball team started the season on March 16 with a two-game home and home district series against Smith County. The Lions won the first game at home 3-2, as they got two runs from junior Tucker Francis, and he later came in to get the save on the mound.

"To come out and play the game we did, and we only made two errors," CCHS baseball head coach Justin Fann said after the win. "We also got big timely hits when it mattered. So, I am very pleased."

Francis added, "It was pretty good, but I could not do it without my teammates, because they push me every day to get better and better. I got to give all of the thanks to them and God."

The following night, the Owls got revenge and limited the Lions offense to only one hit by Francis in a comfortable 6-0 win. On March 19, CCHS fought back from being down 6-4 to Community, as it scored five runs in the final two at-bats to pull off the 9-6 win. Juniors Jared Judkins and Austin Martin each went 3-for-5 with two RBI apiece, and senior Nick Vassar added three more RBIs in the come-from-behind win.

The Lions played a doubleheader at Shelbyville Central on March 21, and they hosted a key district doubleheader against York on March 23.

As for the other diamond sport, girls' softball, the Lionettes started the season on a roll winning its first three games. They blanked Smith County 9-0 on March 17 as senior Kristen Hale pitched a masterpiece only giving up four hits and junior Livia Walker hit a home run in the win. Two nights later, CCHS were down 5-3 heading into the fifth at Macon County, but it broke open the game with seven runs during the at-bat to win again 13-5 as freshman Shelby Earls took one deep in the victory.

Last weekend, the Lionettes competed at the Gordonville Tourney, in which they were graurdteed at least three games until the single-elimination tournament during the event. CCHS first home game is March 24 against key district foe Upperman at 4:30 p.m.

Transferring to the soccer pitch, the Lions under new head coach Zachary McAllister started the season on the road as they tied Smith County 1-1 on March 17, thanks to a second half goal by senior Sam Sissom. Two nights later, CCHS took a 3-2 halftime lead at DeKalb County, but it gave up three second half goals to fall 5-3. Lions' goals were scored by Sissom, seniors Marshall McReynolds and Spencer Haley.

"The guys represented our school with class and played their hearts out," McAllister said after the loss. "They went toe-to-toe with one of our district's best and proved superior through 50 minutes of the contest. I am very excited about this group of guys and I feel blessed to have such a great group of young men."

The Lions travel to Cascade on March 24 at 6 p.m. before hosting Murfreesboro Central Magnet on March 26 also at 6 p.m.

Finally on the tennis courts, the CCHS boys' and girls' enjoyed mixed success last week. The Lionettes defeated Merrol Hyde (4-3) and Watertown (7-0), while falling to Macon County (4-3), while the Lions went 0-4 with losses to Central Magnet, and the same three teams as the Lionettes.

The best week for the Lionettes went to senior Kristen McReynolds as she won all of singles and doubles matches last week going a perfect 6-0. She was just glad to get back on the court after all of the weather issues during the winter.

"Just to be able to get out there, and actually get into the hang of it," McReynolds said after the win against Watertown on March 17. "We had all of this pint up energy just waiting to get back on the tennis court and to finally be able to do it, and to come out with a win. It felt awesome and rewarding."

Both CCHS tennis teams host Warren County on March 23, before heading to Goodpasture the following day with first serve set for 3:30 p.m.