Cascade senior Justin Bryant struck out nine and got some defensive help for the other six outs en route to a perfect game against Van Buren County. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Bryant, a Cascade senior right-hander, returned to full-time diamond duty after suffering through back problems for a couple weeks and mowed down hitter after hitter for District 9-A visitor Van Buren County.

After inducing a weak ground ball back to the mound and a pop up to right field to start the game, Bryant proceeded to strike out the next seven batters in a row. When he wasn't blazing fastballs past the Eagles, he was tying them in knots with his curveball. The end result was a perfect game and a 10-0 Cascade victory.

"The defense made the plays for me, wouldn't have done it without them," a humble Bryant said. "Zack Hill caught a great game for me."

The win was especially sweet for Bryant and his six other senior mates as it was their final home district game of their careers.

"It felt great to do it after two weeks of sitting out with back problems and in my last district game (in Wartrace)," he said.

Bryant got some help from his soon-to-be-departing classmates.

A shallow fly ball to left field off the bat of Van Buren County's Ethan Hillis looked like trouble until Nick Batts dove in to make the catch to end the fourth.

Shortstop MoMo Stewart charged a slow-rolling ground ball and fired a strike to first base to nip Eagle Wesley Martin with the first out of the fifth and final inning. Bryant disposed of the final two batters himself with Ks to bring his total to nine.

Stewart singled home Batts with the first and only run of the opening inning.

Corey Mullins, Batts and Stewart tallied base hits in the second before Bryant uncoiled on an 0-1 pitch for a three-run home run.

"Justin Bryant has been with me five years like a few others on this team," Cascade coach Chris Parker said. "He's been battling an injured back all year long, and he bounced back the way a Champion should bounce back.

"He threw the ball extremely well. He hit the ball extremely well. He just battled and fought and will do whatever it takes to help his team. That's what a Champion does."

Josh Brown and Tyler Bowen also singled to contribute to the seven-run second.

Jeremy Mathews took the loss for Van Buren County. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Mullins tacked on a double and a single to give him three hits on the day. Stewart doubled in the third to bring his knock total to three as well.

The victory for fourth-ranked Cascade (19-4, 10-1 9-A) came on the heels of their worst loss of the season on Saturday to No. 8 Friendship Christian.

"Saturday seemed to be a wake-up call for us," Parker said. "Hopefully, we woke up and we'll continue to work hard and get better and maybe see (Friendship) on down the road somewhere."

That road runs through Spencer tonight at 6 p.m. as the Champs head northeast to Van Buren County to complete the two-game set.

Eagleville upset Middle Tennessee Christian on Monday night, which means a Cascade victory today would give them their second straight regular-season district title.