Tribe Outlast 'Toppers on PK's for Big East Conference Title
Two years ago, Wyatt Arrowood stepped up to attempt a penalty kick in Dobyns-Bennett’s state sectional against Knox West. Arrowood missed and the Tribe went on to lose in PKs. On Wednesday night at Indian Highland Park, Arrowood found some substantial measure of redemption, knocking the decisive penalty kick as D-B defeated Science Hill in a shootout. The 1-1 (6-5) result clinched the Big East Conference title for the Indians and, with it, top seed for the District 1-AAA tournament and the right to host that event. The Tribe prevailed despite playing with 10 men for the majority of the match, and did so in front of a crowd of 300 paying fans – a record for a D-B boys soccer game at Indian Highland Park, according to athletic director Frankie DeBusk. This marks the first hardware in the Tribe’s debut campaign under Tony Weaver, a longtime assistant coach for the boys who was elevated to the head coaching job late in 2023 after leading the D-B girls to the state tournament. The Indians (10-0-2, 5-0-0) remain undefeated and, barring what would be a major upset this coming Tuesday against West Ridge, are on course to finish the regular season with zero losses. “It feels pretty nice. It's a good win. It's always a good game between us and Science Hill, though.” Arrowood said. That rivalry has been tipped in the Indians’ favor as of late. D-B swept its two regular-season meetings with the Hilltoppers (4-7-0, 1-1-0) for the first time since 2021 and has won four straight in the rivalry, five of the past six meetings, and seven of the previous eight. Despite playing a night earlier at Daniel Boone against a rested Science Hill squad, D-B controlled possession and pace from the outset. That changed in the 30th minute, when Cooper Martin got sent off on a straight red card after a collision with the Hilltoppers’ Junior Serrano. Both players were challenging for the ball and, watching from behind the touchline, the two players appeared to converge on the ball at the same time. The impact sent the significantly smaller Serrano crashing hard to the ground. Following the play, the referee immediately whistled for the clock to stop and reached to assess Martin with a red. Weaver said the Indians just aimed to reach halftime when they could re-assess: “That was a tough row to hoe but the boys responded. They played hard the entire game, especially the second half.” Not only that, D-B grabbed the lead in spite of being short handed. That goal came from Eli Wallace off a set piece in the 55th minute. Bryson Broadwater lofted a free kick toward the Science Hill goal. Wallace went unmarked and had an open path to knock in the ball. “I was left wide open on the back post. Bryson found me and that's about it. I put my foot out and it was just a tap in.” Wallace said. A jubilant Wallace sprinted all the way back to midfield after the goal, screaming in triumph. It was a special moment for the D-B senior, who returned to the program this year after opting not to play high school soccer as a sophomore or junior. “I actually wasn't going to at first but I was like, it's my senior year, I've got nothing left to do in high school. Might as well go out there and see what I can do,” Wallace said. Weaver described Wallace as “just a good solid, wants to win every game kind of player. As a coach those are the kind of players you want.” Science Hill struck back in the 76th minute, capitalizing on a breakdown by the D-B defense. Lucas Trull got the equalizing goal with Palmer Kind delivering the assist. Still, following the shootout, Hilltoppers coach David Strickland was disappointed with the lack of chances his team generated while having a manpower advantage for the majority of the fixture. A shorthanded D-B squad outshot Science Hill 19-10, with 12 shots on target for the Tribe compared to eight for the ’Toppers. “Maybe our fight was stronger but still overall it's just not good enough. You play up a man for that long and you don't create hardly any chances? That's 100% on us for not getting it done,” Strickland said. Science Hill also had the advantage in the shootout. The ’Toppers shot first and had a 3-1 advantage at one juncture after Yassin Kassiby converted his chance. D-B stayed alive after Andy Cruz made his shot and keeper Ethan Cline repelled Trull’s potential game winner, then Cooper McLain knocked in his PK to forge a 3-3 tie and force sudden death. Cline, who also stopped a penalty kick in Tuesday’s 3-0 win at Daniel Boone, admitted he got a little bit of intel from D-B co-captain Bryson Broadwater, a teammate of Trull during travel ball. “He said, [Trull] has a long run up. He tries to freak you out by going fast then slow. Then he tries to get chippy with it and just chip you,” Cline recounted, noting Broadwater “went over it a couple of times, actually. Right before the game, he said, if we ever get to it, remember…” After Samuel Moody and Tingen Hatcher made their PKs for Science Hill, and D-B responded each time with Brogan McGhee and Gavin Farmer converting, the decision came in the third round of sudden death. Science Hill’s attempt hit the crossbar, which brought Wallace sprinting away from the centerline to celebrate with Cline. Just one problem… the shootout was not over. Wallace said he let his excitement get the better of him: “I forgot we had the second kick.” Arrowood certainly remembered. Also a co-captain, he admitted he declined being part of the initial five players to take PKs during the shootout because of the bad memories from that sectional match with West two years ago. And when he walked up to take his kick on Tuesday night, those memories came flooding back. “That was exactly what was going through my mind,” Arrowood said. “Then again you've just got to stick with your spot and go with it.” That's a plan that worked, and sparked a huge celebration by the D-B side. “It feels amazing,” Cline said. Strickland said he felt the match was right there for the taking when Science Hill had the lead in the shootout. “You should be able to bury it and we didn't get it done. Those are moments, as we talked [as a team] over there, going home, reflect. Reflect on the moments that we did not take care of and see them and visualize them, so that when we see them again, we take care of them. Get up in the morning, rise again and play tomorrow. “You have to be brave to stand up and take a penalty like that because you know there's risk involved,” Strickland added regarding the shootout. “Some of them feel like, oh, it's my fault. No, we played a whole match. You were just brave enough to step in there. The odds are strong that these two teams will meet at least once more in the finals of the district tournament, and then possibly again in the region finals. At least, that has been the case in each of the past two seasons.
Lady Vikings Lock Up Upper Lakes Title
Sullivan East was hanging tough with Upper Lakes Conference leader and rival Tennessee High Wednesday evening. Then the game went to the seventh where the Lady Vikings erupted for 14 runs to turn the nail-biter into a convincing 18-0 win over the Lady Patriots. The victory secures the outright league title for Tennessee High (6-0, 18-3). Carly Compton led off the seventh with a home run. The other 13 runs were all scored after two were out as the Lady Vikings batted around twice in the frame. Abby Haga capped her six-RBI, 4-for-6 night with a two-run blast later in the inning. Addi Wilhoit and Maddi Ratliff both finished 3-for-5 with a double and two singles with Wilhoit scoring four times and driving in one and Ratliff batting in two runs and scoring three others. Kaylie Hughes and Macie Strouth both singled and doubled while Lily Ware and Katy Granger also roped two-baggers. Ware also drove in two runs and two one, Strouth scored twice and drove in one, and Granger batted in one run and scored one run. Delaney Linkous and Maddi Hall also scored twice each for the Lady Vikings. In the circle, Compton allowed only two East singles by Shelbie Leffew and Brooklyn Loudy. Compton struck out 15 and didn’t walk a batter. Tennessee High002002(14)-- 18 18 1 Sullivan East0000000-- 0 2 3 Tennessee High – Carly Compton and Abby Haga. Sullivan East – Raquel Del Prete, Madyson Doss (7) and Addison Holly. W – Carly Compton, L – Raquel Del Prete. 2B – Tennessee High 6 (Addi Wilhoit, Maddi Ratliff, Macie Strouth, Kaylie Hughes, Lily Ware, Katy Granger). HR – Carly Compton, Tennessee High (solo in 7th), Abby Haga, Tennessee High (one on in 7th). RBI - Tennessee High 13 (Abby Haga 6, Lily Ware 2, Maddi Ratliff 2, Addi Wilhoit, Macie Strouth, Katy Granger).
Lady ‘Blazers Whip Science Hill for Second Straight Day; Claim Share of Big East Title
With heavy personnel losses coming off its state runner-up season of a year ago, rain-outs and bad weather have perhaps played into the hands of the retooled Daniel Boone Lady Trailblazers. Boone dropped its first Big East Conference tilt of the season on March 19 in just its second game of the season and played only one other league contest over the next month. Last Tuesday, the Lady ‘Blazers (6-1, 19-10) began a stretch of seven conference contests in nine days and Wednesday evening nabbed a share of the Big East title with its sixth straight league win and second in as many days over Science Hill, 9-0. “To be where we were starting out 0-1 and losing a lot of kids we had last year, a lot of folks didn’t know what this bunch was going to do,” said Boone coach Jeremy Jenkins. “One thing about this bunch that makes them fun to be around is they are going to compete. They are playing well at the right time and hopefully we can keep this going.” To manage the heavy workload of the Lady ‘Blazers, Jenkins has installed an every other inning system for pitchers Ava Saul and Kyleigh Osborne which now includes catchers McKenzie Strouth and Kyleigh Bacon. On the season, Saul has now worked 85⅔ innings and Osborne 81⅓, with both ERA’s hovering right around 2.00. When one is in the circle, the other is nearby at first base. “They have really bought into it,” added Jenkins. “The other one plays first and stays up in the game and they pull for each other.” When approached with the idea, Saul said it was an immediate buy-in from her and Osborne. “We loved it at the beginning,” said Saul. “We’re both pretty good, you know what I mean, and it’s really working well for us right now as a team.” Against the Lady ‘Toppers, the Boone battery was Saul and Strouth in the first, third, fifth and seventh innings with Osborne and Bacon working the second, fourth and sixth. Saul used 54 tosses in the game and Osborne 49. “I think me and Ozzy were seeing a lot of pressure throughout the game so instead of throwing 120 pitches or whatever, this keeps us fresher,” added Saul. Both allowed just one hit and struck out two in their stints. Both were also the recipient of some flashy defensive plays from Josie Jenkins at second, Riley Croley at shortstop, right-fielder Taylor Brinn and freshman Sadie Phillips in left. “Both did a really good job filling up the strike zone and we made several really good plays behind them,” noted Jenkins. Brinn’s RBI-groundout in the second made a winner of Osborne for the second time in league play. Saul fashions a 4-1 mark inside the conference. In the third, Kyleigh Bacon’s three-run blast, her third homer in two days, pushed the Boone lead to 4-0. A Saul single to right in the fourth scored Croley to make it 5-0. The Lady ‘Blazers then nearly ended the contest early with four in the sixth. With the bases-loaded, Saul let a hittable first pitch go by before going the other way again for a single to make it 6-0. “Ava has been taking too many good pitches early and getting behind in the count. Today, I thought, especially the last two times, when she’s hitting the ball to right-center and right field, that’s when you can really tell she’s glued in.” Saul finished 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs driven in on the day, but lamented the one right down Suncrest she passed on. “I should have swung at that and it was right down the middle and I missed it, I’ll tell ya I missed it,” smiled Saul. “But “I’m starting to feel a little better with my bat. I slumped a little bit at the first of the year, but it’s a team thing and we are all hitting it right now.” Bacon just missed clearing the bases with a shot just foul down the left field line before drawing a walk to force in the seventh run. Another run scored on Anna Richardson’s fielder’s choice and a Sadie Henson single made it 9-0. Bacon finished with four RBI’s in the game. Jenkins was nicked by a pair of pitches that rolled into her and scored both times. Croley also scored twice. A Maddie Diamond double to open the second and an Isbella Meeks single with two out in the seventh accounted for the two Lady ‘Topper hits. Diamond in the second was the only Science Hill runner to reach scoring position. After back-to-back games against Boone, the Lady ‘Toppers (3-3, 16-6) go to Dobyns-Bennett on both Thursday and Friday. Boone heads back to West Ridge on Thursday, where it started the week on Monday. Another win over the Lady Wolves gives the Lady ‘Blazers the outright Big East title. Science Hill0000000-- 0 2 3 Daniel Boone013104x-- 9 6 0 Science Hill -- Chloe Conner and Makenzie Cumbow. Daniel Boone – Ava Saul, Kaylea Osborne (2), Ava Saul (3), Kaylea Osborne (4), Ava Saul (5), Kaylea Osborne (6), Ava Saul (7) and McKenzie Strouth, Kyleigh Bacon (2), McKenzie Strouth (3), Kyleigh Bacon (4), McKenzie Strouth (5), Kyleigh Bacon (6), McKenzie Strouth (7). W – Ava Saul, L – Chloe Conner. 2B - Maddie Diamond, Science Hill. HR – Kyleigh Bacon, Daniel Boone (two on in 3rd). RBI – Daniel Boone 9 (Kyleigh Bacon 4, Ava Saul 2, Sadie Henson, Taylor Brinn, Anna Richardson). SB – Daniel Boone 4 (Riley Croley, Sadie Hall, Sadie Henson).
Hazell Pitches ‘Toppers to Season Series Win Over Tribe
With a rematch looming in the opening round of next week’s District 1-AAAA Tournament, what would be the respective strategies for both Dobyns-Bennett and Science Hill in Tuesday’s conference-ending clash? Turns out both planned on the same thing, but ‘Topper right-hander Noah Hazell parted his side’s plans. “We wanted to win obviously and Dobyns-Bennett did, too,” said Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards. “You know you are going to play them in the first round so you have to be careful about what you want to do or not do, but at the same time you’ve got to figure out a way to win.” Hazell did that, allowing just three hits and facing just one over the minimum through five innings in Science Hill’s 5-0 victory over the Tribe at TVA Credit Union Ballpark. “Noah did a good job to locate his stuff and got all three of his pitches going tonight,” Edwards said. “He was able to get some pop ups and ground balls and we played some good defense behind him.” Hazell had faced the Indians in the team’s first meeting this season, also facing just one over the minimum through four innings before the Indians got to him for two runs in the fifth. This time, Hazell departed with one out in the sixth after his only two walks of the game. Cole ReSue came on and got the final five outs for the save. “I had planned on using a few more guys but Noah was doing well and I didn’t want to pull him out until they got to him or he got tired,” explained Edwards. “We had planned on using three guys for sure, but Noah got so far into the game, we ended up just using two.” Dobyns-Bennett’s pitching plan was much the same and it followed the script with starter Ean Mays going two innings and allowing one run on three hits. Cam Hayworth tossed the third with Science Hill producing four runs on five singles, the first two of the infield variety. Landon Smelser led off the bottom of the first with a double and came around to score the game’s first run on Jackson Berry’s single. In the third, Josh Marmo and Lucas Dye drove in runs with singles. Two other runs scored on passed balls. “We had a really good inning there off a good pitcher,” noted Edwards. “We also came out swinging the bats good against the first pitcher.” Science Hill (6-3, 25-9) tallied eight hits through three innings, but failed to get another hit the rest off the way of Indian relievers Cade Maynor and Baker Correll. “They threw a bunch of different looks at us,” said Edwards. “It’s hard to get your rhythm and get going, but credit to them, they filled up the zone for the most part, we were just able to get a few hits when it mattered.” Meanwhile, Dobyns-Bennett (5-4, 21-5) managed just four hits in the game and didn’t push a runner into scoring position until the sixth. Two Tribe baserunners were nabbed stealing by Science Hill catcher Aiden Vermillion. The Indians were charged with only one error in the game, but several mental errors aided the ‘Toppers. Jackson Berry and Lucas Dye both had two hits for the ‘Toppers. With the win, Science Hill wins the season series against Dobyns-Bennett and secures the second seed in the district tournament, which it will host, beginning next Wednesday. The ‘Toppers are 17-1 at home this season. “I definitely like being home in our home ballpark,” advised Edwards. “It’s weird being the visitor like last year against Hardin Valley (sectional game). You want to be home when you can.” Dobyns-Bennett0000000-- 0 4 1 Science Hill104000x-- 5 8 0 Dobyns-Bennett – Ean Mays, Cam Hayworth (3), Cade Mayor (4), Baker Correll (6) and Cooper Reed, Taylor Blankenship (6). Science Hill – Noah Hazell, Cole ReSue (6) and Aiden Vermillion. W – Noah Hazell, L – Ean Mays, S - Cole ReSue. 2B – Landon Smelser, Science Hill; Lucas Dye, Science Hill. RBI – Jackson Berry, Science Hill; Josh Marmo, Science Hill; Lucas Dye, Science Hill. SB – Tegan Begley, Dobyns-Bennett; Jackson Berry, Science Hill. CS - Jackson Bishop, Dobyns-Bennett; Tray Windham, Dobyns-Bennett. LOB - Dobyns-Bennett 4, Science Hill 6.
Boone's Bacon Grills Lady 'Toppers
Kyleigh Bacon and the Daniel Boone bats were sizzling Tuesday at Metro Kiwanis Park. Bacon hit two home runs, leadoff batter Riley Croley homered and the Trailblazers piled up 17 hits in a six-inning, 16-3 win at Science Hill. Boone improved to 4-1 in the Big Four Conference and 18-10 overall. Science Hill fell to 3-2 and 16-5. Boone is responsible for each of the league losses of the Hilltoppers, who will visit Boone on Wednesday. “We knew the importance of this game,” Boone coach Jeremy Jenkins said, “because it gives us two wins against them in case we ended up tied with them.” Boone’s power surge wasn’t exactly expected. The Trailblazers entered Tuesday’s game having hit six home runs all season. Last year’s state runner-up team had hit 28 home runs at the same point. But Bacon highlighted a five-run third with a two-run home run and capped a five-run fourth with another long ball – three batters after Croley had hit a two-run home run. Bacon finished 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double and four RBIs. “Kyleigh would be the first to tell you she’s been struggling a little bit,” Jenkins said. “And she struggled last night at West Ridge. Today, she really came out of it. Everything was hit hard.” Bacon homered on a 2-2 fastball and a first-pitch fastball. She’s faced Science Hill pitcher Isabel Meeks for four years, if not longer. “I’ve seen her all four years here and maybe a little bit in travel ball,” Bacon said. “So I’ve seen her quite a bit. She is a good pitcher.” But Boone was locked in Tuesday. Croley went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk and four RBIs. All three of her hits were to the opposite field. “People have been hammering her away (outside pitches) and she’s really worked hard on going the opposite way,” Jenkins said. “And she’s been going the opposite way, but just kind of flicking it over there. Today she really drove it over there. She hit one out and about hitting a second one out. “She’s a table-setter. When she gets on base and is hitting the ball, we really like our chances.” Ava Saul was 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs. Anna Richardson was 2-for-4 with two runs. Sadie Henson, Kaylea Osborne and Taylor Brinn were each 2-for-4. Osborne drove in three runs. “At the beginning of the season we weren’t hitting well,” Bacon said, “but it’s coming around at the right time. So that’s all that matters, I guess. Taylor Brinn hit really well today. She’s getting hot. And Riley did as well. I thought everyone hit pretty well.” For the fifth straight game – all victories – Daniel Boone rotated pitchers Osborne and Saul every inning. Jenkins likes the alternating rest intervals and the potential of disrupting hitters’ timing. Osborne allowed three hits, one walk and one unearned run while striking out three in three innings. Saul gave up four hits and two runs in three innings while striking out four. “They’ve both bought into it,” Jenkins said. “The girls really like it. So far, so good.” Kaylee Oler was 2-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt, a steal and a run for the Hilltoppers. Lora Wilgus was 2-for-3. Kaylee Pickering drove in two runs with a two-out bloop single in the fifth and Beth Pridemore delivered an RBI double to deep center field. Maddie Diamond walked, was hit by a pitch and scored a run. “We’ve gotta turn back around and play them again tomorrow,” Jenkins said. “We know they’re a quality club and Meeks is a good pitcher. We just got on her early there. Some days it happens that way. She got us at home last year. We know we’re gonna get there best effort again tomorrow.” Daniel Boone025504-- 16 17 1 Science Hill001200-- 3 7 2 Daniel Boone – Kaylea Osborne, Ava Saul (2), Kaylea Osborne (3), Ava Saul (4), Kaylea Osborne (5), Ava Saul (6) and Kyleigh Bacon. Science Hill – Isabel Meeks, Chloe Conner (4) and Lora Wilgus. W – Kaylea Osborne, L – Isabel Meeks. 2B – Ava Saul, Daniel Boone 2; Riley Croley, Daniel Boone; Kyleigh Bacon, Daniel Boone; Kaylea Osborne, Daniel Boone; Sadie Henson, Daniel Boone; Beth Pridemore, Science Hill. HR — Kyleigh Bacon, Daniel Boone (one on in 3rd, one on in 4th); Riley Croley, Daniel Boone (one on in 4th). RBI – Daniel Boone 15 (Riley Croley 4, Kyleigh Bacon 4, Kaylea Osborne 3, Ava Saul 2, Sadie Henson, Taylor Brinn), Science Hill 3 (Kaylee Pickering 2, Beth Pridemore). SB – Riley Croley, Daniel Boone.
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