HENDERSONVILLE -- The Cookeville softball team suffered one tough loss on Saturday, but other than that, the Lady Cavaliers had a successful weekend in Hendersonville High School's Commando Classic, finishing in the top 16 teams of the 58-team field at 5-1.
On Saturday, the Lady Cavs (5-1) won their opening game 5-0 over Richland in the final round-robin contest. Then in single-elimination bracket play, they defeated archrival and District 6-AAA foe White County 9-1, then Cleveland 8-0 before being bounced with a 14-0 loss to Creek Wood. Saturday's action came after Cookeville won two games Friday, defeating Station Camp 5-1 and Independence 7-1.
"It did feel like it was a pretty good weekend," Cookeville coach Jeff Williams said. "It's disappointing to get beat in the final game like we did. They were a good ball team. We made some mistakes and gave them some chances right there, and we didn't close out and seal the deal like we should have. But we go there to try to face good people to get better. We're not gonna get any better unless we see good teams."
This week is an important one for CHS, with its home opener Monday against Livingston Academy, and the start of District 6-AAA play Tuesday at home against Coffee County and Thursday at Warren County.
Saturday
Cookeville 5, Richland 0, 5 inn. The Lady Cavaliers started quickly against the Lady Raiders, scoring three runs in the first inning. Pitchers Alex Hull and Megan Winningham made the lead stick. Hull pitched four scoreless innings to pick up the win, while Winningham shut the door with a scoreless fifth.
Cookeville 9, White County 1, 5 inn. Cookeville started quickly again against the Warriorettes, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first after White County had notched a run in the top of the first. Pitcher Jenny Hallums settled in after that and didn't give up any more runs in the second and third innings for the victory. Hull pitched the final two innings and did not give up a run.
Cookeville 8, Cleveland 0, 5 inn. After scoring three runs in the first inning of their first two games, the Lady Cavaliers outdid themselves against the Lady Raiders, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after one. Hull pitched three scoreless innings to pick up the win. Winningham completed the shutout with two scoreless innings.
Creek Wood 14, Cookeville 0, 5 inn.
Creek Wood took control with 10 runs in the first inning, and added four more in the fourth to cruise to the quarterfinals.
Friday
Cookeville 6, Station Camp 1, 5 inn. The Lady Cavaliers got off to a great start in their first game of the Commando Classic, ripping several extra-base hits and limiting the Lady Bison to just two hits.
In the first inning, Hull hit a one-out single, Winningham followed with a single, and Morgan Harris brought both home with an RBI triple. Hallums then plated Harris with a suicide squeeze.
The Lady Cavaliers went up 5-0 in the second inning, as Jenna Roberts reached on a single, and Courtney Hutcherson and Winningham ripped back-to-back triples that scored Roberts and Hutcherson.
Cookeville got its final run in the bottom of the fourth. Hutcherson and Hull walked, and Winningham plated Hutcherson with an RBI double.
Hull kept the Lady Bison off balance in the circle, giving up just one unearned run. She walked one and gave up two hits in five innings. Winningham finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs, and Hutcherson scored two runs.
Cookeville 7, Independence 1, 4 inn. In their second game of the day, the Lady Cavs took advantage of Lady Eagle miscues to score six runs in the first two innings and cruise to another win.
In the first, Hull, Winningham and Harris loaded the bases with walks, and Hallums brought home Hull when she was hit by a pitch. Winningham and Harris both scored on errors.
In the second, Bailey Fisher reached on an error, Roberts walked, and Hutcherson reached on a fielder's choice that moved Fisher to third. Hull then executed a suicide squeeze that plated Fisher, and after a free pass to Winningham, Hallums ripped a two-RBI single.
The Lady Cavaliers scored their last run in the third inning. Sydney Price walked, and Heather "Fred" Smith moved her up with a sacrifice bunt. Fisher beat out a drag bunt for a single, then Price scored on an error.
Hallums picked up the win in the circle, pitching three innings and giving up one unearned run. She struck out one and gave up two hits. Winningham pitched the fourth inning, and fanned two while giving up a hit.
Hallums helped her cause with three RBIs, and Hull and Winningham each scored two runs.
Read more: Herald Citizen - CHS SOFTBALL Lady Cavs finish in top 16 at Hendersonville <http://www.herald-citizen.com/view/full_story/12425039/article-CHS-SOFTBALL--Lady-Cavs-finish-in-top-16-at-Hendersonville?#ixzz1HXHv4Qxc>
