While Lookout Valley lost key senior Jarrett Adams to an injury eight games into the season, other Yellow Jackets are starting to step up.
Joshua Payne's program won three games this week, including two comeback district wins over Copper Basin in which Christian Chandler, Rylan Collins, Jaxon Quils and Jacob Winchester starred. On Friday, it was Brayden Pruitt's turn as he struck out a career-high 13 in a one-hit shutout of Howard.
"We are starting to come together as a whole," said Pruitt who had his curve working in the 27-0 victory. "We have two starting juniors and the rest of our starters are sophomores and freshmen. We are staying up. Our coach teaches us it's important to never get down. I'm proud of the way our team is battling."
Winchester (five runs) and Collins (five RBIs) stood out in the win over Howard along with Caden Gilley (four RBIs).
BASEBALL
Signal Mountain 7, Sale Creek 6: Preston Worley's third hit of the game tied the score at 6-all before Braden Casner drove in the winning run in the top of the seventh. Worley doubled twice in the victory and led the Eagles' offense along with Braden Wolfard who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Sam Witherspoon picked up the save striking out the side, while Worley recorded the win. Sale Creek's Braden Penny homered and scored three times while Seth Hodge had a pair of hits and two RBIs.
Marion County 11, Grace Academy 4: Tyler Minton had three hits and drove in three runs along with Nicholas Gomez who tripled in the victory for the Warriors.
Walker Valley 11, Sweetwater 1: The Mustangs scored 10 runs in the bottom of the fifth. Landon Franklin had a pair of RBIs along with Logan Wallace and Lane Miller while Preston Hodges went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Bradley Central 5, McCallie 0: Gavin Burnette struck out nine and did not walk a batter in a three-hit shutout. Lee University signee Ashton Simmons was 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a stolen base. Carter Hewitt and Gray Glover doubled for McCallie.
Silverdale Baptist 12, Chattanooga Christian 0: Ian Reagan and Corey Clift threw a combined no-hitter while Brett Rogers went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs for the Seahawks.
Ooltewah 13, Hixson 4: One of Nick Sullivan's three hits was a home run as he drove in three and Harrison Mills went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and a pair of RBIs. Manny Velazquez drove in a run and A.J. Wild scored twice for Hixson.
Calhoun 8, McIntosh 4: Andon Lewis homered and drove in three while Kris Sutton doubled and plated two more for the Yellow Jackets.
Gordon Lee 11, Mt. Zion 0: Bo Rhudy, Tanner Wilson and Jackson Moore combined for the one-hit shutout while Brody Cobb hit two solo home runs and Cade Peterson hit another. Kade Cowan (3-for-3, two RBIs) and Nate Dunfee (2-for-2, two RBIs) sparked the top of the lineup.
Gordon Lee 15, Mt. Zion 0: Brody Cobb hit a home run and drove in five while Jake Poindexter and Riley King threw a one-hit shutout over four innings.
Ringgold 12, LFO 2: Ross Norman and McCain Mangun each doubled twice and drove in three runs while Chas Ghormley and Eli Norris pitched well for the Tigers.
Ridgeland 5, Pickens 2: Ridgeland's starter threw five no-hit innings while Curtis Wells (two RBIs) and Noland Hughey each had multi-hit games.
Armuchee 19, Trion 12: Toby Maddux drove in five runs in the high-scoring defeat which included 14 errors.
Central 4, Northwest Whitfield 3: Keaton McQuaig and Aiden Hosford combined for eight strikeouts and only allowed one earned run in the Bruins' defeat.
Sonoraville 5, Coahulla Creek 1: Tanner Folds struck out 10 and did not allow an earned run in a complete game victory. Cole Godfrey (2-for-3, RBI) and Trevor Childers (2-for-3, two RBIs) also sparked the Phoenix.
Cedartown 3, Heritage 0: Corben Cuzzort and Dylan Cupp threw a no-hitter against the Generals.
Carrolton 5, Dalton 4: Brady Pendley hit a grand slam and Orlando Santiage had three hits for the Catamounts.
SOCCER
East Hamilton has named Eugene Nelson as its new girls' soccer head coach. A graduate of Chattanooga Christian School and Michigan State, Nelson played in Europe before returning to work as an assistant boys' and girls' coach at CCS from 2006-2019.
During his time at CCS, Nelson helped the boys' program to a state title in 2011 and runner-up finish in 2010 and the girls' team to a runner-up finish in 2018. Last season he worked as an assistant for the Lady Hurricanes, helping them reach the state finals for the first time in program history.
"We are extremely excited for Coach Nelson to join our team," East Hamilton athletic director Keitha Booker said. "He has tremendous energy and passion for the game. His strength in coaching and ability to build meaningful relationships with his players was displayed this past season."
SOFTBALL
Sequatchie County 8, Whitwell 3: Alexus Ferrell went 3-for-4 with a grandslam and five RBIs, while Addy Edgmon was 2-for-4 with a home run, triple and RBI and Ella Edgmon also homered. Cali Green earned the win, striking out six, and Jesyca Dennis went 2-for-4.
Silverdale Baptist 15, Marion County 3: McCade Cooper homered and drove in three runs while Bentlee Stiner, Emry Masterson and Kennedy Stinson all had three hits apiece for the Lady Seahawks. Stinson tripled and scored three runs as well.
Silverdale Baptist 5, Signal Mountain 4: Skylar Sheridan drove in the game-winning run in the sixth in a game where Emry Masterson (double, two runs, two RBIs) and Kennedy Stinson (2-for-3, two runs) sparked the Leady Seahawks. Katie Willoughby picked up the save with a perfect seventh which included two strikeouts.
Soddy-Daisy 9, Whitwell 2: Jenna Sims hit a home run and had three hits along with Tatum Massengale. Sims also struck out nine over seven strong innings.
TENNIS
McCallie improved to 9-0 with a dominant shutout over Silverdale Baptist. Cole McNair was locked in as he won both of his singles matches 6-0 and shined with doubles partner Loch Murray in an 8-0 victory.