By FEAR CHURCHWELL – Web staff
Clarke Central High School faced cross-town rival Cedar Shoals High School on Aug. 27. The Gladiators had yet to win their first game this year and fall to 0-6 and 0-3 in regional play.
Despite the losing streak, CCHS assistant coach Frankie Wylie still had confidence that the Gladiators could pull a win against Cedar Shoals.
“Cedar is in the same kind of position that we are, they are going through a rebuilding stage also,” Wylie said. “There is definitely some weaknesses that we should be able to capitalize on, and jump out ahead.”
Going into the game, the Jaguars’ record was similar to the the Gladiator’s record of 0-3 overall and 0-1 in regional play. Both teams were in dire need of a victory.
The game erupted with strong plays from both sides. CCHS freshman pitcher Sallie Cornwell walked two CSHS batters; Cornwell also had two key strikeouts leaving two stranded runners on second and third base.
Through the first inning and the top of the second, neither team was able to score a run. CCHS was able to run one in, in the second inning by a single.
The third inning remained scoreless, but CCHS came out in the fourth inning and scored three runs making it 4-0. Two of the three runs were scored due to CSHS errors. These errors included dropping a fly ball in the outfield as well as a dropped catch to first base.
During the fifth inning, CSHS scored their first run. However, Clarke Central supporters still believed that the Gladiators had a good chance at winning.
“I think Clarke Central has a great chance to win with a 4-1 lead in the 5th inning,” CCHS supporter Laura Cofer said. “They came one run within beating this team last year and we have a lot better of a team playing this year.”
Later in the fifth inning, CSHS would go on to score four more points giving them a 5-4 lead. CCHS freshman pitcher Sallie Cornwell walked three CSHS batters and hit one was eventually replaced by CCHS sophomore Hannah Gorman.
The Gladiators quickly retaliated in the bottom of the 5th inning by CCHS third-baseman sophomore Kaitlyn Hooker scoring on a double. CCHS would go on to score two more runs in the fifth inning taking the lead with a score of 7-5.
While playing, the Gladiators were far from alone. Parents and students were up in the stands supporting the Gladiators. In fact, the crowd got so emotional they booed whenever the umpires called a questionable call in Cedar’s favor.
When the sixth inning came, it was obvious, both teams were tired. The fatigue really started to show on Clarke Central’s side when they allowed a three run infield home and allowing Cedar Shoals to take a 8-7 lead.
After a steal to home, giving Cedar another run, pitcher Hannah Gorman ended Cedar’s turn in batting by striking out a Cedar batter for the third out.
The Gladiators managed to score another point in the sixth making it a one-run game, and CCHS was able to hold the Cedar offense to no runs in the final inning. However, it was not enough for Clarke Central to rally a comeback.
At the end of the game, emotions ran high on the Gladiators side. Although the thirst for a long delayed victory remains, the players still believed that they played well.
“I can really say my team played hard,” CCHS Sophomore Santana Baldwin said. “If anybody else says we didn’t then they’re wrong. Tears came out, everybody was mad. It was real tough. But they played awesome, and I’ll give them that tonight.”
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