The Grizzlies season came to an end over the weekend as they dropped two games to Tennessee High and David Crockett in the regional tournament. Against the Vikings on Friday, Grainger scored first when Garrett Keiter led off the game with a double to right and later scored on Nolan Wallace’s single to center. It was all Tennessee High after that as they scored nine runs in the bottom of the first to run away with the contest. The Grizz had another good start to the game in the tilt against the Pioneers as they plated three runs in the top of the first which was aided by an error that allowed Ty Collins and Wallace to come home. Just as had been the case the day before, Grainger fell victim to a big inning in the home half of the first as Crockett scored five runs and added two insurance runs in the fifth and sixth inning.

Washburn 12, Cosby 0 Hampton 4, Washburn 1 Washburn 17, Cosby 1 Hampton 5, Washburn 1

The Pirates beat Cosby twice in the regional tournament but then saw their season end with two losses to Hampton. Gavin Kincaid went 3-for-3 with two RBIs to down the Eagles in the first game of the regional. Mathew Harville allowed only one hit to Cosby. Hampton’s pitching staff had 12 K’s in the second round win. Bryson Clay’s double was the offensive highlight for the Pirates. After Cosby scored the first run in the top of the first in the elimination game, Washburn plated seven in the second inning and 10 more in the third to take the victory. Bryson Clay had a double and triple to lead the Pirates. Issac Southerland’s double in the third produced the only hit for Washburn as their wrapped up their season with a 5-1 setback.

Softball

Battleground Academy 10, Lakeway Christian 0

BGA plated a run in every inning as they knocked the Lady Lions out of the state tournament on Saturday. McKinley Grubb had a double for LCA.

Grainger 9, Greeneville 4 Volunteer 12, Grainger 2

The Lady Grizzlies punched their ticket to the regional tournament by upsetting regular season champion and top-seed Greeneville on Friday. Shylo Williford led the charge with a double, home run and three RBIs offensively and fanned nine Lady Greene Devils defensively. The Lady Grizzlies led 4-2 going to the top of the seventh but had a big last inning, scoring five times to eliminate their rivals from post-season play. Luck wouldn’t continue against Volunteer as the Lady Falcons held Grainger to only a pair of hits. Grainger will face Crockett in Jonesborough in the first round of the regional.

Smokies go 3-0 over weekend

KNOXVILLE – Birmingham will be going back to Alabama battered and bruised after the Knoxville Smokies won all three games over the weekend to finish up their series with the Barons at 5-1.

Friday was a double-header due to a rainout on Wednesday and Knoxville made the most of it as they won the first game of the twin bill 8-1 with seven of the runs coming in the home half of the fourth inning. The biggest hit of the game came off the bat of Owen Ayers who drove in three runs with a triple to right field. Knoxville took full advantage of 10 walks issued by Birmingham pitchers. Smokies’ hurlers combined for 11 K’s.

Jordan Nwogu hit a two-run single in the third and then drove in Karson Simas in the fifth as the Smokies’ left fielder accounted for every run in a 3-2 Knoxville win in the second game on Friday. Dawson Netz had eight strikeouts as he moved to 2-0. Tyler Santana picked up his first save of the season as he threw the final two innings.

Mother’s Day was a memorable one for the Smokies as they scored all seven of their runs in the seventh to win the series finale 7-2 on Sunday. Carter Trice demolished a grand slam to left field to start the scoring binge and Knoxville kept pouring it on as Andy Garriola capped it with an RBI double. Smokies pitching was dealing once again as the staff fanned 12 batters.

Knoxville hits the road to south Georgia this week as they play the Columbus Clingstones.