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Lightning ends season opener in second half
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Nikki Childers
Updated: Mar 17, 2012, 8:04 PM
Published: Mar 17, 2012, 9:00 PM

There was a cloud hanging over the season opener for the Warren County High School soccer team. A rain cloud that is.
The Pioneers were able to get in most of their game against Tullahoma, but the action had to be stopped in the second half with the teams tied 1-1.
Per TSSAA rules, any game which concludes the first half can become an official contest if stopped early due to weather. Therefore, the Pioneers’ record moved to 0-0-1 after the first match of the season.
Warren County was prepared for the start of the season after playing three matches at a DeKalb County playday five days prior.
The Pioneers and Wildcats tussled for the first 40 minutes without either team taking control. Most of the action stayed at midfield, but Warren County coach Todd Willmore got a good sign when his new keeper Patrick David made stops when he was forced into action.
David kept the game scoreless early when it looked like Tullahoma had a chance to score. A Wildcat broke open behind the Pioneer defense, but David rushed out to force the action.
With David closing ground, the Wildcat striker tried a chip shot and sent the ball sailing over the net and out of bounds.
David officially made four stops in the first half, while the Pioneers took four shots on goal on the other side.
Jesus Gonzalez, Vulinh Pham and Alex Serna each got looks in the final 10 minutes, but the long-range shots missed the mark and both teams went into halftime with a goose egg on the scoreboard.
The Wildcats drew first blood shortly after halftime. Tullahoma converted on a transition goal, finally getting an open look against the Pioneer defense.
Warren County didn’t waste much time finding a way to respond. Though the Pioneers couldn’t get the equalizer during live action, a penalty ended up giving Warren County the perfect opportunity to tie the game.
Tullahoma was called for a hand ball in the box midway through the second half and the Pioneers were awarded a penalty kick.
Gonzalez, a senior team captain, stepped up to take the shot. Gonzalez took his shot, but the Tullahoma keeper made a diving stop.
The ricochet came right back to Gonzalez though and the senior didn’t miss on his second chance. Gonzalez found the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Rain started to come down late in the second half, then lightning struck and the two teams were forced off the field. After surveying the weather conditions, the call was made that the game wouldn’t have a chance to be completed and the officials declared the game over.
Warren County will return to the field Tuesday when the Pioneers play host to DeKalb County. Action at Warren County High School soccer field is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
WCHS baseball, softball compete in weekend tournaments
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Matt Tyson
Published: Apr 2, 2025, 10:16 PM

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.