Cascade's Tyler Bowen attempts to slide around a tag at third base. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Cascade and Cornersville stretched the rules as far as they could for their annual Dirty Ball Classic, which was consolidated into one game this year thanks to Mother Nature postponing games from mid-March.

Recording the first out with a muddy pill, swinging wood instead of aluminum and laying restrictions on the use of ace pitchers make the Classic a good-natured rivalry for all in uniform.

The trophy will stay in Wartrace for one more year after the fourth-ranked Champions turned an early 5-1 lead into a 10-2 victory.

Nick Batts and Corey Mullins got things going for Cascade (18-3) in the bottom of the first for the hosts with a walk and a single, respectively, before stealing a total of four bases. After Mullins' RBI knock, Tyler Bowen drove home Mullins.

Champion Christian Edmondson is tagged out while trying to beat out a swinging bunt. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Kyle Clanton contributed in the second inning with a run-scoring single.

Batts, Mullins, MoMo Stewart and Josh Brown all got good wood on the ball to drop in hits to key a four-run fourth that put the game out of reach.

The win was especially sweet for Cascade coach Chris Parker, who works part-time during the summer on the golf course at Henry Horton State Park with Cornersville coach Brent Adcox.

Senior Corey Mullins avoid a pickoff throw at third base for Cascade. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

"I guess I'll have a little bit of the bragging rights at lunch every day over him," said Parker, whose team played their first-ever game from start to finish under the lights.

Winning pitcher Blake Harvey started and went three innings, striking out five and walking four. Chase Nunley and Kyle Saylor were unscored upon in relief duty.

Mullins, Clanton and Brown all finished with two hits.

Lucas Lasater was the losing pitcher.

The Champs now turn their attention to the defending Class A state champions when they host Friendship Christian at noon on Saturday.

"It's nice to have the opportunity to play them," Parker said. "It's going to be a big measuring stick for both our programs.

Players from both teams pose with the Classic trophy. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

"They swing the bat. They score a lot of runs."

That might be an understatement.

After dropping their opening game at the state tournament last year, the Commanders outscored opponents 67-12 over the next five games to take home the title.