Gordon Lee's baseball team took a huge step toward earning another league championship by winning both ends of a doubleheader against GHSA Region 6-A public rival Bowdon on Friday afternoon, 21-6 and 14-0, to complete a three-game sweep this week.
The Trojans improved to 20-2 overall and 8-0 in league play and hold a four-game lead over Bowdon - thought to be the team's biggest threat in the title race - with seven region games remaining. Gordon Lee is three ahead of rival Trion with a three-game set against the Bulldogs coming next week.
The Trojans rapped out 17 hits in Friday's first game, scoring 18 combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Cade Peterson hit a pair of home runs and drove in four runs, with Brody Cobb going 3-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs. Cobb belted another homer in game two and drove in three runs, while Cody Thomas hit a grand slam and Jacob Neal a three-run homer, with winning pitcher Blake Rodgers striking out eight batters in four hitless innings.
"We had disciplined approaches at the plate today and made the most of some timely hitting," Gordon Lee coach Mike Dunfee said. "Our pitchers threw well, and Blake Rodgers in game two was lights out."
Trion 13, Christian Heritage 6: Connor DeParlier had two hits, drove in a run and scored twice while also pitching five innings and allowing three hits and one run for the Bulldogs (10-7) in the nonregion win. Jackson Morrison drove in three runs and Brandon Dover two for Trion.
Ringgold 10, Centennial 3: The Class AAA Tigers improved to 17-6 with the win over Class AAAAAA Centennial as Mason Parker was 5-for-5 with two runs scored in support of McCain Mangum, who went four innings and allowed a hit and one run while striking out five. Ross Norman added two hits and two RBIs, and Austin McMahan and Kenyon Ransom had two hits each for Ringgold.
Sonoraville 6, Adairsville 2: Jax Lockaby pitched a five-hitter with one earned run for the Phoenix (14-8, 8-4 Region 6-AAA), while Kannon England was 3-for-3 with an RBI and Cole Godfrey added two RBIs.
LaFayette 6, Rockmart 5: The Ramblers (11-9, 5-5 Region 6-AAA) were led to victory by Davis Richardson, who had two hits including a triple, drove in a run and scored twice, and Dylan Deering, who hit a two-run double.
Baylor 3, Christian Academy of Knoxville 0: The Red Raiders scored all their runs in the bottom of the second as Jay Dill drove in two with a single and Danny Corona plated another with one of his two doubles. Dill allowed two hits and struck out eight batters in five scoreless innings, and Henry Godbout picked up a two-inning save.
Silverdale Baptist 8, Chattanooga Christian 5: Sebastian Hanks hit a three-run walk-off homer for the Seahawks, who also got big contributions from Brett Rogers (3-for-4, two runs), Turner Junkins (three runs) and Cameron Mullins (home run). For the Chargers, Henry Horne went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Connor Tyler had a two-run double.
Sequatchie County 15, Middle Tennessee 3: Barron Cribbs went 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, and Anthony Wright doubled and homered while driving in five runs for the Indians.
South Pittsburg 8, Huntsville 3: Reece Genter had four of the Pirates' 12 hits and scored three runs. Luke Rector struck out eight in five innings and also had two hits, along with Hunter Powers and Brayden Sanders. South Pittsburg lost 6-5 to Marshall earlier in the day despite Javen Talley going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
SOCCER
McCallie 2, Bearden 0: Henry Lewis made six saves, including three in the first 10 minutes of the second half, to preserve the shutout in McCallie's home opener.
"It's been a while since I have played soccer, to be honest," Lewis said. "This is my first year playing for McCallie, and it's a privilege. I am very happy to get a shutout, but it wasn't just me. We panicked a little in the second half, but the entire team stuck in there. Props to my guys."
The Blue Tornado (4-0-2) were dominant in the first half, when Gui Vivaldini scored in the 30th minute as his left-footed shot from distance deflected off a defender into the left side of the goal. Charlie Arnold scored off his own cross in the 33rd with excellent placement from the right sideline.
McCallie defenders Ollie Carter, Christian Perez and William Stamper and center back Neal Carlson also played well.
"Henry has stepped up and earned the confidence of his teammates," McCallie coach Chris Cushenbery said. "With his commitment to excellence and all of his extra work, I can't imagine he won't be a great keeper."
Baylor 1, Vestavia Hills 1: Gui Gragnano scored off an assist from Riley Shankle in the fourth minute to put the Red Raiders out in front, but their Alabama hosts responded by scoring four minutes later. Zach Ubamadu made five saves to help Baylor earn the tie.
TENNIS
McCallie 5, Westminster 0: The Blue Tornado earned the sweep in Atlanta as Andreas Silaste, Will Leathers and Gabe Getz won in singles to go with doubles victories by Henry Imorde/Colin Tuttle and Charlie Griffin/Richy Jing. The Blue Tornado outscored their opponents 24-5 in doubles.
SOFTBALL
East Hamilton 5, William Blount 3: Leadoff batter Reese Knox had three hits and a trio of stolen bases, Grace Hixson went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Syerra Rogers threw two perfect innings in relief for the save while also driving in a run.
Walker Valley 4, Hardin Valley 2; Walker Valley 7, Union 0: Sierra Brown drove in four runs combined in the two victories and homered, while Madilynn Kidd drove in three. Kaitlyn Bailey threw four scoreless innings for the win over Union.
Compiled by Patrick MacCoon and Lindsey Young. Contact MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon. Contact Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com and follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.