Wrapping up its second straight District 5-4A championship, Coach Brent Tucker's Cleveland crew got a dominant pitching performance and a powerful offensive attack Tuesday to stop Walker Valley in its tracks, at Bill Talley Stadium.
Senior hurler Tyler Gardner fired a four-hitter, striking out eight and giving up just one free pass and no earned runs in a complete-game effort for the 7-1 hobbling of the Mustangs. The Roane State commit also provided punch at the plate, going 2-for-3, plus drawing a walk, driving home a pair of teammates and scoring once.
Cleveland (25-10) earned the rite to host the District 3-4A Tournament, which is slated to start Friday, but graduations at all three Bradley County high schools, plus predicted foul weather will require some adjustments.
The Raiders will square off with District 6 runner-up Ooltewah (21-11), which they defeated 6-1 and 9-1 during the regular season.
Walker Valley (16-16) will tangle with District 6 champ Bradley Central (17-16) in the other semifinal matchup after the Mustangs nipped the Bears 2-1 in their only previous meeting this spring.
The two top teams will advance to the TSSAA Sectional series the following week.
RAIDERS 7, MUSTANGS 1: While Walker Valley put the first run on the scoreboard, Cleveland notching the other seven.
After a scoreless opening frame, both teams notched a run in the second, with the Mustangs getting a leadoff single by Cleveland State signee Jordan Smith before sophomore Gavin Turnbough came on as his courtesy runner and was bunted to second by freshman Zander Neuendorf, before scoring when Micah Stone stroked a single.
The Raiders answered with junior Caden Tippens reaching on an infield hit to open the bottom of the second. His courtesy runner Braelyn Pratt stole second before moving to third and scoring on back-to-back Mustang miscues.
Cleveland took the lead for good with a 3-spot in the third frame as walks to sophomore Sam Coleman, junior Collin Stuart, a fielder's choice by senior Jonas Ernest and another free pass for Tippens jammed the sacks.
Coleman scored on a wild pitch before Gardner and senior Charley Atha stroked back-to-back run-scoring singles.
The hosts tacked on a solo score in the fourth when Coleman reached on an error and Stuart laced a one-base knock before back-to-back two-out walks to Gardner and Atha plated the run.
The Raiders wrapped up their scoring with a pair of sixth inning scores when Gardner singled home Stuart, who had drawn a base on balls, plus Atha ripped a double to bring Gardner around the bases.
Atha reached base four times on the night with a pair of hits and two "freebies," plus he plated a trio of teammates.
Stuart also stroked a couple hits, and "walked the line" twice, plus stole two bases and scored a run for the victors.
Junior Owen Goglio reached twice with a single and a walk, while Coleman did the same on an error and a free pass, plus swiped a base. Tippens also knocked a one-bagger and drew a base on balls.
Cleveland collected eight hits and as many free passes from a trio of Mustang hurlers.
Smith led the way for the visitors as the only Mustangs with two hits, while Maryville College signee Titus Torbett and Brody Ownby added a knock each.
GAME SUMMARY
District 5-4A
Tournament
Championship Game
Tuesday, May 6
at Bill Talley Stadium
Walker Valley 010 000 0 — 1 4 3
Cleveland 013 102 x — 7 8 1
WP: Tyler Gardner 7 IP, 8 Ks, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 4 hits, 0 ER. LP: Asher Panni 0.2 IP, 1 K, 4 BB, 2 hits, 3 ER. 2B: Titus Torbett (WV); Collin Stuart, Charley Atha (C). RBI: WV none; Atha 3, Gardner 2 (C). RECORDS: Walker Valley 16-16; Cleveland 25-10.
All-District 5-4A Team
Cleveland — River Briggs (District Player of the Year), Charley Atha, Sam Coleman, Collin Stuart, Caden Tippens; McMinn County — Luke Lawson, Chase McDonald, Marshall Goodner, Kade Hyde, Bo Barnett; Rhea County — Corydon Butler, Casen Kinney, Jaxson Schmitt and Alex Latshaw; Walker Valley — Titus Torbett (District Pitcher of the Year), Jordan Smith, Asher Panni.