CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Monday, April 15, the Clarksville High Wildcats hosted the Rossview High Hawks for a rivalry matchup between two teams currently ranked in the top 5 in the state of Tennessee. In the first of a two-game series, Rossview High secured an early lead, but the Wildcats scored seven unanswered runs to win the game 7-2.
A sold-out crowd made the atmosphere electric early on. To kick off the game, at the top of the first inning, Rossview High first baseman Houston Hebert unloaded on a two-run home run to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
However, after allowing the home run, Clarksville High starting pitcher Christian Henderson was lights out. In 5.2 innings of work, Henderson only allowed five hits and two walks while striking out six batters. CHS head coach Brian Hetland was proud of how Henderson battled through adversity.
“He made a mistake, and a kid hit a hanging breaking ball a long way, that’s baseball,” Hetland told Clarksville Now. “After that though, I was really proud of how he responded. He settled in and pitched like the ace that he is.”
While Clarksville High gave up the lead early into the matchup, Clarksville High scored seven consecutive runs between the first and fourth innings. CHS was led offensively by catcher Korbin Reynolds, who went 2 for 2 on the night with 2 RBI’s. He was also hit by two pitches.
In the end, Wildcat closer Braden Taylor entered the game and slammed the door shut to close out his team’s 7-2 victory. With the win, CHS wins the first game of a two-game series against Rossview High, but Hetland knows his team will be heading into a hostile environment on Tuesday.
“We know they’re going to be hungry to get one,” Hetland said. “We just have to go over there and play solid defense. They’re a great team, we just have to go play.”
As for Rossview head coach Parker Holman, he said his team swung the bat well, ran up Clarksville High’s pitch count and responded to adversity well.
Game two of the series between the Wildcats and Hawks is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.