Notre Dame pitcher Alec Bouchard tied his season high with 15 strikeouts, but the Fighting Irish came up short in the first round of the TSSAA Division II-A state tournament with Saturday's 3-1 loss to Clarksville Academy.
Bouchard, a junior right-hander, led Hamilton County in strikeouts this season with 120 in 65 innings for the Irish, who finished the season 23-14-1.
Braylon Hammond doubled and scored Notre Dame's run in the sixth inning, and teammate Ryan Eiselstein had an RBI single and drew two walks. Bouchard allowed four hits and three walks and threw 74 of his 109 pitches for strikes.
The DII-A state tournament continues for the Chattanooga area Wednesday, when Silverdale Baptist Academy is set to face Trinity Christian in the quarterfinals with a spot at the Spring Fling on the line.
In DII-AA, next weekend's state quarterfinals will include Baylor, which is hosting Christian Brothers, and McCallie, which is visiting Nashville's Christ Presbyterian Academy.
In Division I, region semifinals are set for Monday, with region finals Wednesday and sectionals Friday to determine Spring Fling participants.
Compiled by Patrick MacCoon. Contact him at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.