The Tullahoma Wildcats managed only 10 hits over two games, falling to Lawrence County 13-2, 2-1 in a crucial District 12-3A series this week. Lawrenceburg won Monday at Grider Stadium and came from behind to win Tuesday on their home field. Before Tuesday, Tullahoma had not been swept in a district series since 2021.
Tullahoma (2-2, 6-8) will remain at home this week, hosting Rockford Christian on Thursday at 8pm and Wabash on Saturday at 11 am. District play resumes Monday when the Cats travel to Lewisburg to open a series with district rival Marshall County, with the broadcast on 93.9 The Duck. Franklin County swept the Tigers this week.
Monday’s series opener was no contest, with Lawrence County run-ruling the Wildcats. The visitors scored two runs in the first, two in the third, one in the fourth, and eight in the fifth. Meanwhile, Lawrence County pitcher Logan Mays shut the Cats down, allowing one hit in his four innings while striking out seven.
Lukas Taylor struggled on the mound for Tullahoma, allowing two runs in the first and two in the third inning. The Wildcats used four pitchers, but none could slow the visitors down. Tullahoma’s only runs came in the final inning using pinch-hitters against a freshman reliever.
Tuesday’s contest was much closer and a lot more entertaining. Ben Quick was spectacular on the mound for the Wildcats, pitching a complete game with eight strikeouts, but once again, the offense was stagnant.
With two outs in the fourth, cleanup hitter Phillip Lemmon doubled, and Xander Pogue came in as a pinch-runner for the Wildcat catcher. Senior Addian Evans drove Pogue home, staking Tullahoma to a 1-0 lead.
The Cats had an opportunity to increase the lead in the fifth as Quick led off with a single and freshman Price Harden doubled, putting runners at second and third with no outs. However, the top of the Wildcat batting order could not push a run across.
Lawrence County made the Cats pay in the fifth. After two consecutive strikeouts by Quick, Lawrence County put together back-to-back singles, then drew a walk, then reached on an error, and, finally, got hit by a pitch. Those events plated two runs for Lawrence County and provided the winning margin.
Another Evans single was all Tullahoma could produce in the final two innings.
