KINGSPORT — The Science Hill softball team built an eight-run cushion in the sixth inning, eventually winning the game and season series over their arch-rivals.
With their 10-6 win at Dobyns-Bennett Friday, the Lady Hilltoppers now need just one more win to secure the No. 2 seed in the upcoming District 1-4A tournament. A win Tuesday over West Ridge, or a Dobyns-Bennett loss to Daniel Boone would clinch it.
Malia Maroukas drove in three runs and hit 2-for-4 to lead the Lady Hilltoppers Friday. Kaylee Oler, Chloe Conner, Beth Pridemore and Isabel Meeks (2 RBIs) all doubled.
Meeks fanned five batters and allowed seven hits in the win.
Hailey Porter went yard twice and finished 4-for-4 with three runs scored for the Lady Indians — who fell behind 10-2 before rallying late. Catie Zani added a double.
Volunteer 2, Claiborne 1
NEW TAZEWELL — Jayden Ford went 3-for-4 and scored a run, while Zetta Smith and Haley Russell collected two hits apiece.
Elise Bous struck out two and scattered three hits in the circle, before Rylee Smith pitched the last 1 2/3 frames.
Union 9, Ridgeview 4
BIG STONE GAP — Leadoff batter Kaylee Rutherford went 3-for-4 with two triples, two RBIs and three runs scored for the Lady Bears. Kylee Castle, also 3-for-4, doubled twice and plated three times, while Kynlee Johnson hit 2-for-4 and Braleigh Mullins had three RBIs.
Aliyah Davidson fanned five in the complete-game win.
Braelyn Strouth went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run for Ridgeview. Caiti Hill and Ava Stanley added one solo blast apiece.
Eastside 22, Thomas Walker 0
EWING — Braelyn Hall hit a solo home run and went 2-for-2, driving in four runs for the Lady Spartans. Emma Sartin, Jada Jordan (2 RBIs, 3 runs), Lexi Bond (triple, double, 4 runs) and Maddie Compton (triple, 4 RBIs) all collected two hits, with Emmaleigh Banks (3 RBIs) and Haley Frazier (4 RBIs) both tripling.
Sartin struck out nine in four innings and combined with Banks for a no-hitter.
Rye Cove 13, Castlewood 0
CASTLEWOOD — Jasmine Stanley went 4-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs for the Lady War Eagles, while Eden Muncy went 3-for-4 with 2 runs scored. Maddy Wood, Olivia Edwards (triple) and Rheagan Waldon (double) all had two hits.
Muncy also struck out 12 batters in four innings of no-hit softball to get the win.
Grainger 7, Cherokee 1
RUTLEDGE — McKinley Mills, McKenna Kee, Amanda Kledzik, Destanee Davis (double) and Macey Spangler (double) all had two hits for the Lady Grizzlies. Alison Byrd fanned eight and scattered four hits in the win.
Kasie Bowman singled and scored a run for Cherokee.
BASEBALL
Dobyns-Bennett 13, Sullivan East 1
KINGSPORT — Andrew Reilly’s three-run blast highlighted an eight-run third inning for the Indians. Mason Barnett went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs, while Cam Hayworth and Mason Kerkhoff both doubled.
Barnett also pitched the first two innings, striking out one in the combined one-hit win.
Zach Johnson singled for the Patriots.
Volunteer 15, Happy Valley 0 (Game 1)
CHURCH HILL — Connor Haynes, whose grand slam was part of an 11-run fourth inning, went 2-for-2 and scored three times. Isaiah Bowery went 2-for-4, with Austin Williams and Blakely Broussard both hitting a double.
Haynes also struck out seven in the three-hit win.
Drew Blevins went 2-for-2 for the Warriors.
Volunteer 5, Happy Valley 0 (Game 2)
CHURCH HILL — L Armstrong struck out eight and pitched a one-hit shutout for the Falcons.
Isaiah Bowery, Austin Williams and Anthony Blasini all singled and drove in at least one run.
Wise Central 5, Richlands 3
RICHLANDS — Grey Kennedy (2 RBIs) and Jackson Willey (double) collected two hits apiece to lead the Warriors, who jumped ahead 5-1 in the seventh before holding on.
Cayden Hayes fanned six in four innings of work, before Shawn Phillips struck out five to get the save.
Max Herndon went 2-for-3 to lead Richlands.
Union 5, Ridgeview 2
CLINCHPORT — The Bears broke a 2-2 tie with their three-run fifth inning, as Kam Bishop (double) and Collyn Neff both drove in a run. Cole Chandler added two RBIs.
Sam Whitman went four innings to get the win, striking out five before Bishop went the last three frames for the save.
Will Mullins doubled and had two RBIs for the Wolfpack.
John I. Burton 9, Twin Springs 2
NORTON — Colin Hart (triple) and Dru Peters (double) both collected two hits for the Raiders, who scored five runs in the first inning.
Peters went 6 1/3 innings and struck out eight to get the win.
Brayden Sawyer went 3-for-4, and Xavier Sawyer 2-for-4 with a double for the Titans.
Castlewood 11, Rye Cove 8
CASTLEWOOD — Jayden Clark went 4-for-5 from his leadoff spot, batting in two runs and scoring three for the Blue Devils. Payton King (3-for-4) had two RBIs, and Kaden Robinson went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
Cayden Dishman got the win in relief, striking out seven in 5 1/3 frames.
Landon Lane, Jon Kern and Payton Darnell all had two hits for the War Eagles, and Dawson Kern tripled.
Eastside 15, Thomas Walker 4
EWING — Clay Ward hit a two-run bomb and finished 2-for-4, driving in four runs as the Spartans scored nine runs in the second inning. Gabe Raymond went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and two doubles, while Jed McCoy hit 2-for-3 and scored three runs.
Will Johnson fanned five and pitched three innings to get the win.
Ellis Hoskins went 2-for-3, and Hunter Collins doubled for the Pioneers.
Science Hill 10, Unicoi County 5
JOHNSON CITY — Landon Smelser went 3-for-4 from the top of the lineup, scoring three times with one triple for the Hilltoppers. Tucker Lewis went 2-for-3, Nate Stoots had three RBIs and Major Osbolt doubled.
Cole ReSue got the win in relief, striking out four over the last two innings.
Tanner Berry and Reid Bogart both went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Isaac Harris hit 2-for-3 to lead the Blue Devils.
BOYS SOCCER
Gate City 4, Lee High 0
GATE CITY — Sam Casteel and Walker Hillman did the scoring for the Blue Devils, each connecting for two goals. Garrett McLain, Elijah Hurd and Alex Eastman dished out one assist each.
Bryson Smith made two saves to get another clean sheet.
Abingdon 8, John S. Battle 0
BRISTOL, Va. — Mason Sollien racked up five goals for the Falcons while Elliot Walters, Tyke Thompson and Rylan Kreps each scored once.
Providence Academy 8, Sullivan East 0
JOHNSON CITY — Ian Meade and Matthew Taylor both scored twice for the Knights, Meade and J.J. Poff also dishing out two assists each. Gavin Poteat, Cage Merkel, Heath Leslie and Abe Hatfield each found the back of the net once.
Providence Academy will host Chattanooga Grace in a region playoff game Tuesday at 5 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gate City 7, Lee High 0
GATE CITY — Bekah Reid found the back of the net four times for the Lady Blue Devils, while Nebraska Nuckels, Ayden Seaver and Georgia Griffis scored one goal apiece. Emma Reed and Reagan Crawford dished out two assists each. Aubrey Smith and Sophie Webb both had one, with Erin Hensley and Avery Elam making one save apiece for the combined shutout.
Abingdon 6, John S. Battle 0
BRISTOL, Va. — Ella Seymore and Elizabeth Nichols both scored twice, with Annsley Trivette and Aleah Dorn each adding one goal for the Lady Falcons.
