CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Putting together a two-out, two-run rally in the its final at bat, Cleveland was able to rally past Lakeway Christian Academy Monday in the regular season finale for both squads, at Bill Talley Stadium.
Putting together a last-minute game to wrap up the regular season, the Lions traveled the two-plus hours from Morristown and found themselves in a quick 3-0 hole before bouncing back to even the score at 4-all by the third frame.
The score stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth, when Coach Brent Tucker's Blue Raiders were able to circle the bases twice for the 6-4 win.
Top-seeded Cleveland (23-8, 6-3 District 5-4A) will now get ready to open the postseason, hosting fourth-seeded Rhea County (9-18, 2-7) in a best-of-3 District 5 semifinal series, starting Thursday evening at 6 p.m.
The teams will square off again Friday evening and Saturday, if necessary.
Likewise, second-seeded McMinn County (15-14, 6-2) will entertain No.
3-seed Walker Valley (14-15-1, 4-4) for their series, in Athens. The district championship game will be played on Monday at the home of the highest remaining seed.
RAIDERS 6, LIONS 4: After a game-opening single by the Lakeway (20-12) leadoff man, Cleveland turned an around the horn 5-4-3 double play before start Ethan Guy struck out the next batter to end the at bat.
The Raider bats got busy early in the bottom of the frame with back-to-back singles by River Briggs and Sam Coleman to start things off. Both moved up a base on a throwing error by the Lion shortstop.
Briggs came home and Coleman to third on a passed ball as the next batter struck out, but Jonas Ernest followed with the first of his three doubles on the day, to plate Coleman as well.
After Caden Tippens was hit by a pitch, Roane State commit Tyler Gardner laced a one-base knock to jam the sacks. Owen Goglio "took one for the team" to force in Ernest in with the third score.
Both teams were able to circle the bases once in the second frame with Lakeway getting back-to-back doubles to plate their run, while Briggs stroked a two-bagger and later scored on a balk for the hosts.
Another double and a walk to open the top of the third set the stage for the Lions to even the score with a couple of runs.
Cleveland got the first three batters in the bottom of the frame, but could get any of them in.
Neither team scored in the next two frame, but the Raiders were able to put together a two-out, two-run rally in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the win.
Briggs started the rally with a one-out single, before Collin Stuart was nailed by a pitch a few moments later.
Continuing his two-bag streak, Ernest ripped another double to plate the pair.
Briggs and Ernest both had three hits on the day, with the former scoring three runs, while the latter plated a pair and circled the bases once himself.
Cooper Debusk came on in relief of Guy in the third frame, firing 4.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just three hits and no free passes to pick up the pitching victory.
GAME SUMMARY
Monday, April 28
Bill Talley Stadium
Lakeway 013 000 0 — 4 8 2
Cleveland 310 002 x — 6 8 1
WP: Cooper Debusk 4.2 IP, 3 Ks, 0 BB, 3 hit, 0 ER. LP: Landon Holmes 2.2 IP, 3 Ks, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 3 hits, 2 ER. 2B: Hudson Ford, Bryson Allen, Davis Peralta-Lawson, Kyler Worsham (LCA); Jonas Ernest 3, River Briggs. RBI: Worham, Ford (LCA); Ernest 2, Owen Goglio (C). RECORDS: Lakeway Christian 20-12; Cleveland 22-8.