Spring Fling Day 4: Thursday's top performers
Cecil JoyceStewarts Creek's baseball team will become the first team in school history to play in a state championship game.
The Red Hawks accomplished that feat with a doubleheader sweep over Jefferson County in the Class AAA state baseball tournament Thursday.
Stewarts Creek, which had to defeat the Patriots twice to move on, won 5-3 and 11-1 to earn a trip to Friday's title game against Brentwood. The two teams will meet at 5 at MTSU's Reese Smith Field.
A state title was also won on the track as the girls state track and field meet was held at MTSU. Oakland's Imani Udoumana captured first in the triple jump while several other area athletes medaled.
Here are the top performers from Thursday's Spring Fling action:
Baseball
Tre Bailliez, Stewarts Creek: Belted a two-run homer in the first game (5-3 win) and had two doubles and four RBIs in the second game (11-1 win) against Jefferson County.
Aaron Moriarty, Stewarts Creek: Hurled six innings of five-hit baseball in Game 2, allowing just one run and striking out eight to lead the Red Hawks to the title game.
Maddox Vondohlen, Stewarts Creek: Tossed all eight innings on just one day's rest, earning the win in the first game, 5-3, over Jefferson County.
Chase Vondohlen, Stewarts Creek: Was 3-for-4 with an RBI in a 5-3 win over Jefferson County. Had a hit and RBI in the second game.
Daniel Freeman, Stewarts Creek: Hit a walk-off home run in the second-game win over Jefferson County, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. He had a hit and run scored in the first game.
Austin Steel, Stewarts Creek: Was 3-for-4 with a go-ahead RBI-double in the first game then managed to top that feat in the second, belting two home runs and driving in four.
Track and field
Imani Udoumana, Oakland: Captured the AAA triple jump state title, leaping 37-10 (two feet over the next competitor). She also finished second in the 100 meter hurdles, was sixth in the long jump and ninth in the 300 meter hurdles.
Mackenzie Harris, MTCS: Finished second on the A-AA high jump, leaping 5-foot-2. She was also sixth in the triple jump.
Taylor Cuneo, Central Magnet: Finished second in the A-AA 1600 meter run (5.09.67). Was also seventh in the 800 meter run.
Tanalya Gordon, Blackman: Finished fourth in the AAA long jump (18-04.25).
Anastasia Hayes, Riverdale: Placed fifth in the 400 meter dash (58.24). Also anchored the 4x400 relay team that placed fifth (4:03.97).
Breja Hooks, Oakland: Placed third in the 800 meter run (2:18.95).
Victoria Simmons, Siegel: Placed third in the 3200 meter run (11:17.64).
Joy Abbott, Ke'Asyia Ward, Gabrielle Napper, Kyra Wilder, Stewarts Creek: The foursome placed second in the 4x200 relay and third in the 4x200 relay.
Gabrielle Napper, Stewarts Creek: Finished sixth in the AAA high jump (5-2).
Emma McClellan Riverdale: Was seventh in the 1600 meter run (5:21.28).
Blackman 4x100 relay team: Placed fourth overall (48.98).
Blackman 4x200 relay team: Placed seventh overall (1:44.99).
Central Magnet 4x800 relay team: Placed third in A-AA (9:49.90).
Tennis
Chadwick Daugherty/Ben Betzler, Siegel: Reached the AAA doubles semifinals with a 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Ravenwood's Andrew Fit and Hayes Cannup. The duo fell in the semis to Mt. Juliet's Josh Walker and Dylan Chambers (6-1, 2-6, 5-7).
Ashlyn Melton/Alex Pachciarz, MTCS: Reached the A-AA doubles semifinals with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Columbia Academy's Sydney Smith and Cassidy Shrader. Fell in the semis to Knox Catholic's Erin Allen and Sara Allen (2-6, 0-6).
Stomach bug hits hard
A stomach bug affected two area athletes Thursday, forcing them to miss action.
Siegel's Hussain Alzubaidi was forced to default his Class AAA tennis singles tournament contest to Wilson Central's Michael Mercante. The sophomore reached the semifinals a year ago.
Stewarts Creek pitcher/designated hitter Brandon Rooney was also ill Thursday, sitting out the Red Hawks' wins over Jefferson County. He likely would have seen action on the mound Thursday and may be used in Friday's title game, if healthy.
What's next
Stewarts Creek will gun for the school's first team state championship when the baseball squad takes on Brentwood Friday at 5 p.m. at MTSU's Reese Smith Field in the Class AAA title game.
The boys state track and field meet will be held Friday at Dean Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium. Field events begin at 9 a.m. while running events begin at 3 p.m.
Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.