If the Lady Pioneers are going to defend their District 6AAA tournament title, they will have to do it while coming out the loser's bracket.

Warren County fell to Cookeville 2-1 Tuesday night, putting the team on the brink of elimination. The Lady Pioneers will have to beat Rhea County Wednesday at 5 p.m. to earn a spot in the district finals (and earn a third straight region bid). A loss would end the team's year.

Bailey Turnbow's solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning proved to be the difference for the Lady Cavaliers. Warren County got its lone run in the second inning when freshman Madison Hollis hit a solo shot, tying the game at 1-1. It was her fifth home run this season, tied for the team lead.

Hollis took the hard-luck loss, pitching six innings and allowing just two runs.

While it will now take three wins over two days to win the tournament, Warren County is familiar with the path. The Lady Pioneers beat Rhea County in the loser's bracket finals last season, then beat Cookeville 15-9 and 17-2 in a 24-hour span to earn the program's first district tournament title.

If the Lady Pioneers defeat Rhea County, a rematch with Cookeville is set for 7 p.m. An “if-necessary” championship game, which would be forced by two Warren County wins, would be played at 9 p.m.

All District 6AAA tournament games are being played at Cookeville High School.