On a cool and drizzly night at Mathis field at Grider Stadium in Tullahoma the baseball Wildcats opened the season with a 5-4 win over Oakland to begin play in the Grand Slam Challenge.
In a back and forth game the Patriots got on the board first in the top of the opening frame as Cale Vinson led off the game with a triple and then took home on the throw when Carson Love attempted to steal second. Love was caught stealing but Vinson tagged home before the out was recorded to put Oakland out in front 1-0.
Tullahoma responded with 3 in the bottom of the first. Evan Tomlin hit a one out solo home run to tie the game and then after DJ Dillehay walked and Brody Melton singled Colton Emory reached on an error at first that allowed Dillehay and Melton to score giving the Cats the lead 3-1.
The Pats answered back with a solo home run in the second by Joe Mulaney and then took the lead 4-3 on a 2 RBI single by Love that scored Vinson and Chris Austin in the top of the third.
Melton pulled Tullahoma even in the bottom of the third with a massive solo home run launched deep into the night well into the trees beyond the Grider Stadium outfield. The Wildcats took the lead for good in the home half of the fifth when Dillehay hit a bloop RBI single down the first base line to score Tomlin who reached on a walk and stole second to move into scoring position.
Cannon Emory tossed two scoreless innings of relief striking out five of the six Oakland batters he faced to close out the win for the Cats.
Trenton Sholey who got the start for Tullahoma earned the win allowing 4 runs on 3 hits striking out 7 and walking 2 in 5 innings of work. Cale Vinson took the loss for the Pats allowing 5 runs on 4 hits striking out 9 and walking two.
The 1-0 Wildcats continue play in the Grand Slam Challenge today at 4:30 vs Dickson County at Seigel High School. The 0-2 Patriots continue the tournament as well hosting Columbia tonight at 7:00.
Our next Tullahoma baseball broadcast on 93.9 The Duck is March 26th at 5:20 when the Wildcats host cross country rival Coffee County.
The next spring sports broadcast on The Duck is slated for tonight when Tullahoma softball host Coffee County at East Middle School. Our broadcast starts at 6:20 and is made possible by Coffee County Bank, Cooper Steel, Freedom Industries and Stroops Accurate Refrigeration.