By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Lady Pioneers fall in district tourney
bethany-Porter
Bethany Porter keeps her eye on the ball as she defends against the Lady Panther offense. Stone Memorial was in control and led 2-0 at the half. Warren Countys season ended Tuesday night after the Lady Pioneers suffered a 6-1 loss in the second round of the district tournament.

The Lady Pioneer soccer season came to an abrupt end Tuesday when Stone Memorial came into the second round of the district tournament and dashed any hopes of Warren County advancing to the championship.
The Lady Panthers defeated the Lady Pioneers 6-1 with an accurate offense that did not overwhelm Warren County with shots. Rather the shots Stone Memorial fired were right on target.
WCHS coach Todd Willmore said, “Obviously the outcome was not what I expected. I did a poor job of properly motivating the girls and Stone Memorial took advantage.”
The Lady Panthers controlled the ball much of the first half. In the first 40 minutes of play, Stone Memorial fired just six times at Lady Pioneer goalie Bailey Walker. It was their constant pursuit of the ball that paid off for Stone Memorial and 10 minutes into the game the Lady Panthers found the back of the net for the first time.
Warren County looked slower out of the gate and never found its rhythm on offense. As far as the defense, the Lady Pioneers were playing behind a Stone Memorial offense that was in attack mode on every possession.
The Lady Panther offense kept Emma Mullican and Bethany Porter on their heels defensively. Mamy plays were kicked out and left Stone Memorial with a corner kick.
Warren County only had two shot opportunities in the first half. Madison Mason and Sally Willmore attempted shots with no score.
The Lady Panthers cleared the ball and immediately kicked the ball over the Lady Pioneer defense. After the pass ahead it was a footrace. In the first half, Warren County did a decent job getting back and limited Stone Memorial to just a pair of goals by halftime and after the first 40 minutes Stone Memorial led 2-0.
It did not get any better in the second half for Warren County. Stone Memorial continued to push the tempo. The Lady Pioneers did a better job keeping the ball on their side of the field in the second half.
Warren County fired at the Stone Memorial goal nine times throughout the second half and just could not find the angle. Stone Memorial loaded the box with defenders when the Lady Pioneer offense threatened.
The only Warren County goal came with 10:34 to play. Natalie Reed beat the Lady Panther defender and went one-on-one with the goalie. Reed unloaded her shot as the goalie committed to defend. Reed’s shot hit the back of the net and put Warren County on the board.
It was another physical matchup for the Lady Pioneers. Players from both teams drew yellow cards and in the second half the officials pulled their red cards to try and regain control the game.
Stone Memorial led 6-1 and ran out the clock against a frustrated Lady Pioneer team. Each team received a red card as time expired on Warren County’s season.
Coach Willmore added, “You have to give them credit. They played a hard, physical match and we were unable to get any kind of rhythm. I should have done a better job coaching our girls and preparing them for the match. I am disappointed for our team, especially our seniors.”
Willmore went on to report this senior class won 49 games, won a district championship, were district runners-up three times, played in two regional championships, and appeared in two sectional matches.
“I am very proud of the growth and maturation of this senior class. They are a very talented group of soccer players, but more importantly they are even better people. We will miss them.” said Willmore.

WCHS baseball, softball compete in weekend tournaments
sports.png

One day after a close home win over Cumberland County Thursday night, the Warren County baseball team was back on the road for a weekend tournament slate. Taking part in the Viking Classic, the Pioneers went 2-2 across Friday and Saturday’s contests.

Kicking things off against Huntland at Tullahoma High School Friday evening, Warren County notched its third straight victory with a 4-3 decision over the Hornets.

Sam Robinson had three of the team’s eight hits. Ryder Gilispie followed with two. Tyler Adams, Jerren Harris and Keaton Rowe each added one hit.

Gilispie and Harris were both credited with one RBI each.

Adams, Robinson, Gilispie and Adrian Harris each scored one run.

On the mound, Miguel Garcia pitched four innings, finishing with four strikeouts, two hits, three runs and four walks. Keagan Thompson followed for two innings, striking out two.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers were held scoreless in an 8-0 shutout against the host Wildcats. Robinson had Warren County’s lone hit of the game.

Hayven Jones pitched 1.1 innings, recording one strikeout, four hits, seven runs and two walks. Jerren Harris came on for 2.2 innings, finishing with two hits, one run and four walks.

Back in action for day two of the tournament at Cascade High School, the Pioneers bounced back with a 9-8 win over the host Champions Saturday morning.

The team finished with nine hits, led by Adams and Robinson with two each. Gilispie, Jerren Harris, Adrian Harris, Woogs Bryan and Corban Felton all added one.

Bryan led the team in RBI with four of its eight. Gilispie, Felton, Jerren Harris and Brady Norris each brought in one.

Jaytton Baker went 3.1 innings on the bump, striking out five and coming off with eight hits and five runs. Lealon Arnold followed for 1.2 innings, striking out one and adding two hits and three runs. Gilispie pitched for one inning and recorded two strikeouts and one hit.

Closing out the weekend against Alabama’s Heritage Christian, Warren County came out on the losing end of a 14-6 contest. At the plate, Jerren Harris led the way with two of the team’s eight hits. Adams, Gilispie, Bryan, Felton, Adrian Harris and Evan Snapp all followed with one each.

The Pioneers posted four RBI, with two each for Adams and Snapp.

Snapp had two of the team’s six runs, with one each for Adams, Gilispie, Felton and Jones.

Braden Whinnery pitched 2.2 innings, striking out four and surrendering seven hits, five runs and one walk. Rowe followed for 0.2 innings, adding four hits and five runs. Up next was Keagan Thompson, who went one inning and came off with five hits and four runs. Daylen Holguin wrapped up the day, striking out one and allowing one hit over 0.2 innings.

WCHS softball goes 1-3 through weekend

The Lady Pioneers got their Southern Warrior Classic schedule started with a game against Summertown Friday evening, a matchup in which they fell 10-1.

Warren County finished with six hits, with two each for Ky Damon, Lola Wells and Kaydence Wiser.

Wiser had a home run in the top of the fourth inning for the team’s lone run.

In the circle, Ceilee Gudat pitched 3.1 innings and finished with one strikeout, nine hits, 10 runs and two walks. Kyaira Sharpe followed for the game’s remainder, closing out the last 0.2 innings.

The Lady Pioneers were again bested in their second Friday night game, falling 10-2 to Moline (Ill.).

Wells led the Warren County hitting effort with two of the team’s six. Damon, Callie Roberts, Cortlyn Porter and Ali Young each added one.

Wells and Lily Rains had one run each.

Ruby Denning had one strikeout and gave up eight hits, 10 runs and three walks across all four innings.

The Lady Pioneers had better luck in their Saturday morning opener, flying ahead with an 11-run fifth inning to take down Illinois’s Oswego East 15-9.

Warren County racked up 12 hits over the course of the game, with two each for Rains, Wells, Sharpe, Porter and Addison Smith. This included home runs for both Wells and Smith. Damon and Young both added one hit each.

Smith led the Lady Pioneers in RBI with four of their 15, followed by Sharpe with three. Rains and Wells both had two RBI. Damon, Wiser, Porter and Young all tacked on one.

Sharpe pitched the first four innings and came out with 13 hits, nine runs and two walks. Denning added one hit across one inning.

Warren County was unable to duplicate this in their final game of the weekend later that afternoon, falling 3-2 to Stewarts Creek.

The team notched six hits, with two each for Rains and Porter. Damon and Wiser both added one hit.

Rains had the Lady Pioneers’ lone RBI.

On the rubber, Gudat pitched all five innings, striking out three and finishing the day with five hits, three runs and one walk.