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Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeSportsClarksville National advances at Little League Southeast Regional

Clarksville National advances at Little League Southeast Regional

Warner Robins, Ga – In a game for the record books, one of the longest ever played at the Southeast Regionals, Clarksville National played a defensive thriller at the Little League Southeast Regionals Friday against a Pioneer, GA team 3-2 in ten innings.

The game started one hour late due to a rain delay.

In the first inning Georgia was up first. Tennessee’s defense played lights out with two highlight plays by #6 Molly Goins at 2nd base. She had an over the shoulder catch and then came back and threw a girl out at first from her knees.

Clarksville National wins ten-inning thriller at Southeast Regional (Michael Rios Clarksville Sports Network)
Clarksville National wins ten-inning thriller at Southeast Regional (Michael Rios Clarksville Sports Network)

The second inning was a pitching dual between #24 Raelee Weaver (GA) and #20 Madison Haught (TN). Through two innings the game was held scoreless.

In the third inning Tennessee had an error in center field that scored Raelee Weaver and moved another to third. There was another score in the third to give Georgia a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning there was a scare when #4 Taylor Atkins (TN) hit a bullet to the Georgia pitcher Raelee Weaver that glanced off her glove and hit her in the face. After a brief timeout she was back on the mound. #11 Madisen Blackwell hit a single to right field scoring Taylor Adkins.

In the fifth inning neither team was able to score.

In the sixth inning Tennessee’s defense held Georgia. Tennessee had three outs to get something done. #4 Taylor Adkins got a hit to right field. #8 Shelby Gibson got walked. #4 Taylor Adkins stole 3rd base with an error from the throw from catcher to pitcher Taylor Adkins scored to tie the game.

In the seventh inning #11 Madisen Blackwell took over pitching duties for Tennessee. Tennessee’s solid defensive play behind Madisen made for three quick outs.

The eighth and ninth innings were held scoreless.

In the bottom of the tenth inning Georgia went three up and three down. Tennessee started at the top of their line up. #6 Molly Goins hit a single to second base and beat the throw to first. Goins stole second base. #14 Madison Berner struck out. #4 Taylor Adkins hit a line drive walk-off double to right field that scored Molly Goins. Tennesse Wins!!! Tennessee Wins!!!

This game was definitely a pitcher’s dual. #24 Raelee Weaver (GA) pitched all ten innings for Georgia. She struck out 14 batters and only allowed three runs in ten innings.

Tennessee’s #20 Madison Haught and #11 Madisen Blackwell split pitching duties. Both Tennessee’s pitchers were both clocked at 52-55 MPH. Each pitcher allowed two hits and struck out six batters combined.

After the thrilling victory, coach Blackwell praised his team.

” We are good enough to win this thing and we just proved it. It’s going to take all of us.”

Coach Michael Blackwell coached most of these girls to two previous state championships. Blackwell reminded #4 Taylor Adkins what he told her last year when they lost to Morristown when she fell rounding third base.

“Taylor Adkins you came here to regionals and won that game for us and put us in the winners bracket. You’ve got to be willing to fail, to succeed and that’s exactly what you did.”

#4 Taylor Adkins was asked what was going through her head when she hit the game winning hit. “I hit the ball and saw Molly score. I thought oh my gosh- Ball Game” said #4 Taylor Adkins.

Tennessee is sitting pretty in the winner’s bracket and have a days rest. They face the defending Southeast Regional Champs Virginia from McLean, Va at 12pm eastern Sunday.

Michael Rios
Michael Rioshttp://www.clarksvillesportsnetwork.com
Michael Rios is a sports photographer at Clarksvillesportsnetwork.com. He spent his youth on the ball field which led to his love of sports photography.  In addition to being a photographer Michael is a firefighter with Clarksville Fire Rescue.  In his free time he can be found at the softball field with his wife and three daughters.
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