District belongs to Cascade

MURFREESBORO -- Version 2007 of the Cascade Champions continues to blaze a path through school history as they claimed their first district title since 2001 after taking down 9-A tournament host Middle Tennessee Christian 5-2.

The Champions proudly receive their plaque after winning the District 9-A tournament. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

"It's a reward for all the hard work we've done and more importantly than that, we're taking it as a leg in the marathon," Cascade coach Chris Parker said. "We're going to try to keep this thing going forward to try to get to Murfreesboro one game at a time."

The fourth-ranked Champs (29-7) advance to the Region 5-A semifinals against either East Robertson or Nashville Christian from District 10-A. The elimination contest is Monday afternoon at 4 and will be the first baseball regional played in Wartrace.

"It's going to be fun," Parker said. "I expect to see a lot of people there. I hope some people take off work, come there and support a bunch of boys that are putting some more meaning to the word Champions. Hopefully, we can keep this thing going on.

"We've had a lot of people behind the scenes that really support us. We appreciate all that support and hope they keep giving it to us."

Cascade got up early on the Cougars as Justin Bryant worked a one-out walk and scored four pitches later on 9-A regular season MVP Tyler Bowman's double. Colt Davis legged out an infield hit to push Bowman to third. Bowman then scored on an error at the hot corner off the bat of Kyle Clanton.

A misjudged fly ball hit by Middle Tennessee Christian's Timmy Hendrix fell in to start the top of the third. Another Champion lapse with the leather allowed him to score two batters later to make it 2-1.

Hits by Bowman and Davis sparked a three-run, third-inning rally that gave the top seed the advantage they needed. A trio of arms, led by starter Levi Bain, made the upper hand stand up from there.

"We have a good pitching staff, and I think we've shown it all year long," said Parker, whose team went 15-0 against 9-A opponents. "Any time you get a little bit of a lead and breathing room it gets a little bit easier to pitch."

Bain was the winning pitcher with a strikeout and no walks in 3 2/3 innings. Chase Nunley followed with 1 1/3 scoreless. District pitcher of the year MoMo Stewart notched a two-inning save, striking out three and walking one.

The postgame celebration didn't include a pile of Orange and Black jubilation in the center of the diamond. Rather the Champions treated it like a high school graduate who plans to be a doctor and realizes they have several years of schooling ahead.

Justin Bryant fields a throw at third base just after MTC's Andrew Coats slides in safely. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

If they want to flip the ultimate tassel, Parker knows his team won't be able to afford a five-error performance like they displayed against the Cougars.

"Those errors are done and over with. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and, if momma doesn't get mad at us, on Sunday, we're going to take ground balls, work on hitting, do some fundamental things to try to get better as baseball players but more importantly, as a baseball team."

Stewart, Bowman and Davis led the Champion sticks with two hits apiece.

Hendrix finished with two knocks.