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Simmons Says - Enjoying ladies' success
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So many times in the fall, fans get so wrapped up in football that they forget Warren County has many more teams battling for respect. Lately, the Lady Pioneers – both in volleyball and soccer – have been carrying the mantle for the area and picking up steam as the postseason draws near.

There have been some rocky moments for the ladies this fall, but it feels like both squads have found their footing at the perfect time. The Lady Pioneer soccer program, under the direction of first-year coach Kimberly Smith, won a pair of district bouts last week, punctuated by a PK shootout win at Shelbyville.

On the hardwood, coach Erin Blalock’s team showed a ton of fight by taking down Franklin County at home in five sets last week. The Lady Pioneers weren’t able to sustain their momentum when they fell to Coffee County, but there’s still been major progress in the program after a few weeks of losing virtually every close match.

Both are in the mix for region bids this year once the tournament starts – a huge step in the right direction for volleyball and proof the soccer program could sustain success even after the loss of legendary coach Todd Willmore. If the ball bounces the right way for both, it could be a memorable October for the Lady Pioneers and, hopefully, many people will be there to see it happen.

When it comes to fanfare locally, there’s no fighting the football team. Everybody loves Nunley Stadium on Friday nights, including many of the Lady Pioneers playing other sports this fall. Nobody holds a grudge or has jealousy for the shine the Pioneers get every time they come out to capacity crowds, but it’s never a bad thing when the spotlight finds other sports too.

There’s no denying that the Lady Pioneers get some extra pep in their step when more fans – particularly their peers forming student sections – make an appearance. The energy changes, the focus intensifies and Warren County usually gets the benefit of putting a big W on its resume.

The games alone are usually worth the price of admission, but there’s senior stars littering both rosters as well that fans should check out while they still have a chance. Bekah Jackson and Savannah Winfree, stars on each side of the pitch for the Lady Pioneer soccer team, are tremendous. For the volleyball team, Ally Beneke and Mia Hobbs soar at the net and Jessie Young proves that great things can come in small packages.

Make sure to check both programs out on their upcoming senior nights. Volleyball will honor its leaders this Tuesday, while soccer will send off its seniors Tuesday, Oct. 4. 

WCHS baseball, softball compete in weekend tournaments
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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.