Split Decision: Warriors take one, drop one to LaVergne

The White County High School baseball team split a Tuesday night doubleheader with the LaVergne Wolverines, taking the opener 5-1 before falling 5-4 in the nightcap.

In game one, Will Thomas got the start on the mound for the Warriors. LaVergne struck first, pushing across a run after two singles and an error put the first three batters aboard. Thomas quickly settled in, retiring the next three hitters to limit the damage.

White County answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Cole Gentry led off with a double, and Austin Pionke followed with a walk to set the table. Preston Taylor delivered a two-RBI double to give the Warriors the lead, and Griffin Adams added breathing room by launching a 3-1 pitch over the left field fence for a two-run home run.

The Wolverines threatened again in the second with a leadoff double and a walk, but Pionke came on in relief and shut the door. White County added an insurance run in the fourth to secure the 5-1 win.

The second game flipped the script.

The Warriors were retired in order to open the nightcap, and LaVergne took advantage in the bottom of the first. Two walks and a passed ball led to the game’s first run, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 edge.

White County responded in the third. Thomas singled, Gentry worked a walk, and Clay Brewington delivered an RBI single to tie the game. Moments later, Gentry used his speed to steal third and then swipe home, giving the Warriors a brief 2-1 lead.

LaVergne answered right back. Back-to-back doubles evened the score, and the Wolverines added two more runs in the inning before tacking on another in the fourth to build a 5-2 lead.

The Warriors made one last push in the fifth. Gentry singled to start the inning, and Pionke reached when a hard ground ball was mishandled by the LaVergne shortstop. Brewington came through again with an RBI single to cut the deficit, and Adams followed with another hit to bring home Pionke and make it a one-run game.

But that’s where it ended.

Adams, Brewington, and Matthew Wilson—who reached on a walk—were all left stranded as LaVergne recorded the final out to hold on for the 5-4 win.

White County moves to 4-7 on the season and is set to face both Clinton County and Cookeville later this week.

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