SOFTBALL GLANCE: Science Hill to host Maryville for region title, Cloudland advances

JOHNSON CITY — Science Hill's softball moms got a treat Sunday afternoon. In a game rescheduled to accommodate the visiting team's graduation, Science Hill dominated late to put away William Blount 10-1 in the Region 1-4A semifinal round at Metro-Kiwanis Park. Emma Meeks went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs from the nine-hole for the District 2 champion Lady Toppers (26-8). And senior pitcher Isabel Meeks kept the opposition in check by striking out nine and walking just two in her one-hit performance. Isabel also went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Annabelle Eanes broke the scoreless tie with her two-run triple to center in the second inning, and she scored herself on a groundout to make it 3-0. Science Hill took a 3-1 lead to the bottom of the sixth before erupting for seven runs in the frame. Makenzie Cumbow, Emma Meeks (double), Ella Meeks, Kyleigh Metcalf, Isabel Meeks, Piper Brewer (double) and Ainsley Craft (double) stringed together seven straight hits. Emma, Ella and Isabel Meeks all drove in runs on their hits as did Craft — Ella Meeks and Brewer both hitting 2-for-4. Abi McCauley hit a leadoff single in the top of the third and scored William Blount's lone run on Chloe Merriman's sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 3-1. D-B season ends in walk-off fashion MARYVILLE — Dobyns-Bennett's bid for a third straight trip to Murfreesboro ended in heartbreak on Monday. Taylor Sheffield's two-out single advanced Alex Montgomery to third base in the bottom of the eighth inning. Harper White sent her home when she lined a 2-2 offering to center field for the 3-2 walk-off win. The Lady Rebels (28-11) had taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, when Emily LeMaster and Isabella Saunders each hit a solo home run in a span of three at-bats to start the frame. Allie McConnelee helped get a run back in the top of the sixth, wearing a pitch with one out. Her courtesy runner Aly Taylor tied the game 2-2 when Mary Kate Lively lined a two-out double to right field. McConnelee, who's headed to Austin Peay, struck out two and allowed seven hits in her complete-game effort. Montgomery hit 2-for-4 to lead Maryville offensively, and Sadie Johnson struck out five while allowing seven hits in her eight-inning win. D-B, which ended the year 27-11, started fast when Riley McMillan double to left on the second pitch of the game. She gave D-B a 1-0 lead two pitches later when Laiken Hinson sent a ground-ball base hit to right. McConelee, Phoenix Ahles, Ashlynn Chappell and Olivia Aldridge all had a hit for D-B. Science Hill entertains Maryville at Metro-Kiwanis Park for the Region 1-4A championship on Wednesday. The winner returns home for the 4A sectional round on Friday, while the loser travels to the Region 2-4A champion. Friday's winners advance to the state tournament. Region 1-1A Cloudland 11, Cosby 6 COSBY — Trailing 6-4 after five innings, the Lady Highlanders got one run back in the sixth before rallying with a six-run seventh inning to secure a Region 1-1A rematch with North Greene. Eowyn McCoury, Savannah McCoury and Willow Bennett all left the yard for Cloudland (19-10), Savannah's bomb closing the gap to 6-5 in the sixth before Jayla Harper tied it with her RBI double in the seventh. With two down, Eowyn McCoury crushed a three-run shot to left field and broke the 6-6 tie. Bennett followed Savannah McCoury's double with a two-run blast just two batters later for the final score. Savannah McCoury went 4-for-5 and finished a triple shy of the cycle, Eowyn McCoury and Willow Bennett had two hits and three RBIs each. Reagan Turbyfill went the distance and struck out six while scattering eight hits. Ella Hicks went 2-for-4 and Kaylee Atkins doubled to lead Cosby, which fell behind 4-0 in the second before pulling closer on Aubrey Karup's RBI single. Base hits by Hicks, Lakelyn Sweeten and Payton Williams all scored runs in the fifth inning for a 6-4 Cosby lead. Sweeten struck out 11 in her nine-hit loss. North Greene 10, Hancock County 0 BAILEYTON — Hannah Brooks pitched three innings and struck out three, combining with Matti Phillips and Charlie Turnmire for a two-hit shutout in five innings. Kinlea Eastep and A Dean both singled twice to lead the Lady Huskies (22-9-1) offensively, while Brooks and Phillips both doubled with two RBIs. North Greene led 5-0 after one inning and kept tacking on runs from there. Calyn Seal doubled for one of Hancock County's two hits while striking out three in her nine-hit loss. North Greene hosts Cloudland for the Region 1-1A title on Wednesday. Region 1-2A Eagleton Academy 13, South Greene 1 MARYVILLE — Five players recorded two hits for the Royals, who led 2-0 after one inning and 6-0 after the second. Ella Borbeck struck out eight in her three-hit performance in addition to her base hit and RBI. Karleigh Baker, Lyla Campbell, Kyla Long, Maddy Scott and Graci Fenstemaker (3 RBIs) all singled twice for Eagleton. Whitney Reaves hit 2-for-2 to lead South Greene, cutting the deficit to 6-1 in the third when she scored on Hailey Williamson's RBI single. Nevaeh Davis was tagged with the loss. Eagleton Academy travels to Unicoi County for Wednesday's Region 1-2A championship.