When the TSSAA Spring Fling begins next week, five Chattanooga-area high school baseball programs will be there in search of state championships.
It's the first time since 2007 that many local programs have made it that far.
Bradley Central earned its trip to Murfreesboro as one of the final eight teams in Class 4A behind the bat of Tyler Cook. The senior doubled and homered while driving in three runs to lead the Bears to Friday's 8-2 home win over Riverdale, the deciding game in a best-of-three sectional series after the teams split a doubleheader Thursday.
Cook wasn't the only senior standout for the Bears (28-8), who shook off a 9-0 loss in the series opener to win 8-4 and force Friday's rubber match. Hank Adams had three hits in the series finale, Tito Williams added a two-run triple, and Ethan Wilds and Brody Casteel were strong on the mound. Wilds was the winning pitcher, with Casteel tossing two scoreless innings in relief while striking out four batters.
Bradley Central joins Baylor (Division II-AA), Boyd Buchanan (DII-A), Signal Mountain (Class 3A) and South Pittsburg (Class 1A) in advancing to the Spring Fling.
Siegel 5, Cleveland 4 (8 innings): In another Class 4A sectional, despite leading 4-1 in the third inning, the Blue Raiders fell in extra innings for the second game in a row to the Stars, who won Thursday's series opener 3-2 in nine innings. Cleveland (24-14) drew 10 walks Friday, but Mycah Jordan's double was one of only five hits in the season-ending defeat.
SOFTBALL
Class 1A sectional
Jo Byrns 8, Whitwell 7 (10 innings): The extra-innings loss ended the season for the Lady Tigers (17-13). Kailee Yarber pitched all 10 innings and had two hits for Whitwell, while Kasie Britton and Jasie Willis both homered in the defeat.
Class 3A sectional
Soddy Daisy 13, DeKalb County 1: The Lady Trojans (23-10-1) secured their third straight state tournament appearance as they scored in double figures for the fourth consecutive game. Abby Faires doubled twice and drove in a team-high three runs, while Brooke Raines homered as Soddy Daisy totaled 14 hits to back pitcher Regan Rowan, who had six strikeouts in a complete game.
Class 4A sectionals
Walker Valley 2, Smyrna 1: Ryann Presswood allowed three hits while pitching a complete game, and she also went 3-for-3 at the plate to help propel the Lady Mustangs (30-7-1) to the Spring Fling. Alyssa Davenport built a 2-0 lead with an RBI single in the third inning as part of her two-hit day.
Stewarts Creek 10, East Hamilton 0: The Lady Hurricanes (18-13) surrendered nine runs in the first inning as their season came to a close.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.