CHAPEL HILL — Jayden Hathcock delivered when his team needed him most as the Cascade Champions stunned No. 1, and previously unbeaten against district opponents, Forrest in the District 7-AA winner’s bracket.
Hathcock pitched a gem over six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and three walks.
Zach Crosslin worked the final inning in relief and gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout.
Their counterpart, defending District 7-AA Pitcher of the Year, Riley Durbin also pitched well, giving up two runs on five hits and striking out nine batters in the process.
Cascade broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third with a Jaxon Sheffield RBI single to center field, which scored Chance Brown.
The Champs plated an insurance run in the sixth inning on a ground ball RBI single off the bat of Walker Craig.
In total, Cascade connected on five hits, with Noah McGeary leading the way with a 2-for-4 night, including a double.
Logan Green also doubled for the Champs.
The win puts the Champs in the drivers’ seat for the remainder of the tournament, which is set to conclude on Saturday night.
Cascade will face the winner of Forrest and Grundy County in the championship at 6 p.m.

Cascade 001 001 0 — 2 5 0
Forrest 000 000 0 — 0 4 2

Cascade: Noah McGeary 2-for-4, Jaxon Sheffield 1-for-2, Walker Craig 1-for-3, Logan Green 1-for-2.

WP: Hathcock
LP: Durbin