The Cocke County Lady Red jumped out to an early lead and cruised to an easy win over Stone Memorial in TSSAA state tournament play Thursday morning, 7-0.

With the win, they advanced to play McNairy Central later in the day. McNairy downed the Lady Red Wednesday morning 8-3 to send Cocke County in the loser’s bracket.

If Cocke County wins their second game Thursday, they would play a rubber match Friday for the chance to advance to the state championship game Saturday.

In Thursday morning’s win, the Lady Red scored 3 runs in the first inning which was more than Hailee Hartsell needed on the mound. Hartsell went the distance, allowing four hits and one walk over seven innings. She struck out six and did not allow a run.

At the plate, Centerfielder Meredith Grooms led the Red, going 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Brookelyn Strange went 1 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored Bentleigh Morris had a double as well.

The Lady Red led the game off with back to back singles from Ceegee Mcnealy and Grooms. After a popout, Strange loaded the bases with a single to center.

Mcnealy was gunned down at home on Hartsell’s fielder’s choice but subsequently Grooms stole home for Cocke County’s first run. With runners at second and third, Chloe Niethammer’s bunt single scored Strange.

Morris then doubled to drive in Hartsell but Niethammer was thrown out trying to score from second to end the inning.

Cocke County went back to work in the top of the third as Grooms and Ellie Proffitt opened the inning with a pair of singles. Grooms moved to third on the play while Proffitt worked her way into scoring position on an attempted play at third.

Strange followed with a grounder and reached on an error at first that allowed bit Proffitt and Grooms to score.

The aggressive base running continued as Strange took third on a passed ball and managed to come home on the same pitch to put Cocke County up 6-0.

The Lady Red added an insurance run when Proffit drove Jansyn Ensley home on a sac fly.

The Lady Reds’ next game was set for after Citizen Tribune press time. For updates, go online to www.citizentribune. com.