WINCHESTER — Shelbyville Central had the tying run 90 feet away in the top of the seventh, but just couldn’t get the needed hit to score as Coffee County held off the pesky Golden Eagle squad in a 3-2 thriller of a District 6 4-A championship.
Trailing 3-0 by the sixth inning, Nick Hopper put the Eagles on the board with a sac fly to center field, which scored Nick Johnson.
Shelbyville made it a one-run game after relief pitcher Carston Williams sat the Red Raiders down in order in the bottom of the sixth.
After two quick outs in the seventh, the Eagles were the beneficiary of back-to-back hit batters and a walk to load the bases.
Johnson came through and singled on a line drive to center field, scoring William Bobo and keeping the bases juiced.
With a chance to tie or take the lead, it was Coffee County’s relief pitcher Cole Pippenger who came through with a strike out to end the Eagles’ threat.
Johnson went 2-for-4 with a double to lead the Eagles at the plate, while Marquis Wilson, Kyler Trice and Jaquai Beverly all singled.
While Sunday afternoon went down as a loss, Eagle coach Chase Jones was still proud of his team’s effort to claw its way to a district title game.
“Disappointed in the loss, but I'm not the least bit disappointed in our kids or their effort today. I thought Saturday we probably played one of the worst games we played all year. For whatever reason we just weren't ready to play. I put that on me. Today, we struggled a little offensively, but give credit to Henderson for Coffee County for keeping our batters off balanced,” he said.
Palmer Edwards got the start for the Eagles and went 4 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on three hits, while striking out two.
Williams worked the final 1 2/3 innings in relief, striking out two.
“I thought Palmer competed his tail off on the mound and Carston came in and kept us in striking distance.  Now we have to reset, have a good week of practice, and get ready for the regional next Friday,” Jones said.
With the district in the rear-view mirror, Shelbyville’s focus now shifts to the upcoming region slate.
“We have taken great strides this year and hopefully we can keep the ride going this weekend.  I fully expect our kids are going to leave it all on the field,” Jones said.

Shelbyville 000 001 1 — 2 5 4
Coffee Co. 101 010 x — 3 5 2

Shelbyville: Jaquai Beverly 1-for-3, Nick Johnson 2-for-4, Kyler Trice 1-for-4, Marquis Wilson 1-for-3.

WP: Henderson
LP: Edwards