Corey Mullins is congratulated by coach Chris Parker as he rounds third following a home run in his last at-bat in a Cascade uniform. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Normally, belting a long home run in the final plate appearance of your high school career would be a dream come true. But, when you know things aren't going to end as you hoped, planned and expected, it's another matter altogether.

The Mullins blast was his 10th of the season but was too little, too late for Cascade in their 8-3 sectional loss to Richland in front of a capacity crowd in Wartrace on Friday night.

The Raiders (29-3) pounded out 11 hits and got clutch pitching from Blayze Parsons to advance to the Spring Fling for the second consecutive year. They face Harriman (17-17) in the first round of the state tournament on Tuesday at 4 at Middle Tennessee Christian.

The season for Cascade comes to a close with a final record of 27-6, including a stocking of their trophy case with both the regular season and tournament plaques from winning District 9-A and the Region 5-A championship.

"We would have liked to have won the last game we played but unfortunately only one team does that," Cascade coach Chris Parker said. "We did a lot of good things along the way. We beat some people we were supposed to beat and beat some people we weren't supposed to beat. It's just a shame it ended this way but that's baseball, that's why we play."

Cascade's Kyle Clanton successfully steals second base. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

The loss also marks the end of diamond time in orange and black for Mullins, MoMo Stewart, Justin Bryant, Matt Bain, Kyle Clanton, Zack Hill and Nick Batts. The seven departing seniors leave the program well-respected in the baseball community after compiling a two-year record of 58-17.

"They're all outstanding young men," Parker said. "We've taught them what we could to send them off to life to do that. That's what this is all about. That's what I try to teach.

"We want them all to play baseball in college but the main thing is for them to get an education and be a good man out there in life. I think all of them are going to be very successful and be good citizens and do this world some good."

Joey Wagoner singled with one down in the Richland half of the first inning. With two down, Justin McNeese, Parsons and Dustin Jett all singled in succession to key a three-run rally off Champion starting pitcher Josh Brown (9-1).

Cascade had an immediate opportunity to answer after Mullins walked and Clanton singled and stole second base to place runners in scoring position with two outs. However, Parsons bowed up and ended the threat with consecutive strikeouts.

Batts came through by dropping in a two-out single to left in the second inning that plated a pair to draw the hosts to within 3-2.

Just when it looked like Brown had settled down after retiring four straight hitters, the heart of the Raider order struck again in the third.

MoMo Stewart slings a fastball to the plate during his last appearance on the hill for Cascade. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Wagoner and McNeese singled before Parsons doubled to force Parker to pull Brown and insert Bryant. After intentionally walking Jett, Malone smacked a two-run double down the third base line. Gage Cunningham dribbled a ball on a wet infield that resulted in an error and Jett scored to put them ahead 7-2.

With Parsons cruising on the hill, he had all the support he needed. The right-hander went all seven innings, allowing but five hits and three walks while fanning six.

"(Parsons) threw strikes and that's what pitchers are supposed to do," Parker said. "He threw his curveball for a strike. It was a tough pitch to hit, he did a good job and we could only scratch across three on him."

Stewart relieved Bryant and kept his team in it by allowing only one score in four innings pitched.