By William Carter MTN Sports Reporter April 13, 2021
This season for the Cascade Lady Champions is what most people would call a “down year.” In recent years, the Lady Champions have won district and regional titles along with two appearances in TSSAA Sectionals, but that generation has passed on with a new one just now finding its way. Monday night Cascade (0-9, 0-5 A District 8) showed life, but ultimately lost 10-6 to district foe Fayetteville City (1-8, 1-3 A District 8).
Cascade’s struggles this season continued early in the first inning Monday night. A throwing error and three walks helped Fayettville City plate four runners and jump out to an early lead. Cascade answered back with one run of their own in the bottom half of the inning.
“We are young and inexperienced,” Cascade head coach Willie Carter said. “We’re probably starting six freshmen at any time. That’s just a part of the game.”
Senior Bailey Olive pitched three innings against the Tigers giving up five runs on four hits. Olive settled down as the game went on, striking out a total of four batters.
Freshman Brianna Horn replaced Olive in the fourth inning, but the Tigers showed no sign of letting up. Fayetteville exploded for four runs on four hits in the fifth inning giving them a 9-3 lead.
“We’ve told them the last three weeks our goal is to get better every game,” Carter said. “We want to be ready by the time the district tournament starts. We just need to keep improving.”
The Lady Champions tried to rally in the seventh, but the Tigers’ lead was too much.
Cascade will stay in the district Thursday night against Huntland.