Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription.
Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Please use the button below to manage your account.
Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Please purchase a subscription to continue reading.
Your current subscription does not provide access to this content.
Steady light rain in the morning. Showers continuing in the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..
Showers early, becoming a steady rain late. Thunder possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Updated: May 3, 2024 @ 2:53 am
CLEVELAND SOPHOMORE Lilly "Smalls" Mason (10) heads to the celebration at home after hitting the first homer of her high school career in the bottom of the fifth inning in Friday's 5-1 District 5-4A victory over McMinn County, at Brenda Lawson Field.
LADY RAIDER second baseman Allison Farnsworth (1) looks to complete the first of two Cleveland double plays after taking the throw from shortstop Landri Nelson (12) in the top of the third inning of Friday's 5-1 District 5-4A victory over McMinn County, at Brenda Lawson Field.
CLEVELAND SOPHOMORE Lilly "Smalls" Mason (10) heads to the celebration at home after hitting the first homer of her high school career in the bottom of the fifth inning in Friday's 5-1 District 5-4A victory over McMinn County, at Brenda Lawson Field.
LADY RAIDER second baseman Allison Farnsworth (1) looks to complete the first of two Cleveland double plays after taking the throw from shortstop Landri Nelson (12) in the top of the third inning of Friday's 5-1 District 5-4A victory over McMinn County, at Brenda Lawson Field.
CLEVELAND SOPHOMORE Landri Nelson takes on off the shoulder in the bottom of the second inning in Friday's 5-1 victory over McMinn County.
Cleveland tightened its grip on the top spot in District 5-4A softball Friday evening as the 21st-ranked Lady Raiders remained undefeated in league play with a 5-1 win over McMinn County.
Freshman Emily Patterson did the job for the Lady Raiders out of the circle and sophomore Lilly “Smalls” Mason provided power at the plate with the first homer of her high school career.
“It was a good fight,” said Cleveland skipper KJ Harris. “Obviously, it was not what we wanted at the plate. I'd like a little more consistency, but 'Smalls' once again broke out and joined the bomb squad for this year.
"I felt like defensively it was one of the best games we've had in a while. Emily (Patterson) threw a heckuva game on the mound, so we're happy with it taking it into our last district games.”
Cleveland (17-11, 4-0 District 5-4A) will host rival Walker Valley (19-5-1, 3-1), ranked seventh in the current Maxpreps 4A poll, Tuesday in what will be for first place in the league race.
The Lady Raiders needed an extra inning to nip the Feisty Fillies 5-3 in their previous meeting.
The final district game of the regular season will be Wednesday, when Rhea County (7-12, 0-3) comes calling at Brenda Lawson Field.
Cleveland will make a trip to top-ranked (overall) Silverdale Baptist Academy (37-3) on Thursday.
LADY RAIDERS 5
LADY CHEROKEES 1
Patterson, a key member of Cleveland's Final Four basketball squad, held McMinn (7-13, 0-3) to only three hits, while striking out five and walking four.
Patterson's one mistake in an otherwise sparkling performance was a home run ball to Ama Grimmett in the top of the fourth inning.
The Lady Raiders came out hot in the bottom of the first with a two-RBI single to left field off the bat of Roane State signee Ashley Allen, that scored Furman signee Lily O'Bryan and junior Allison Farnsworth, who both reached base after being hit by a pitch.
Junior Jamaya Hill opened the lower half of the second with a walk and later scored on a two-out, RBI-single to left off the bat of Farnsworth to make it a 3-0 game.
McMinn cut it to 3-1 on Grimmett's homer in the fourth.
Mason answered in the bottom of the fifth with a line shot that cleared the center-field fence, upping the Cleveland lead to 4-1.
Thanks to some heads up base running by O'Bryan, the Lady Raiders added a final nail in the sixth.
O'Bryan led off with a walk and stole second. The next batter, sophomore Landri Nelson, bunted a slow roller down the first base line for a base hit. O'Bryan took advantage of the situation and headed to third, but never slowing down as she made the turn and raced home for the final run of the game.
The Lady Raiders got a pair of quick outs in the top of the seventh and, after a pair of walks, Patterson closed out the win with a strikeout to presever the 5-1 victory.
“I don't think we've arrived and I think we know that. Our ceiling is very tall and we've got a few things we need to adjust, but we're clicking at the right time,” said Coach Harris. “I'm happy with it.”
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
