Warriors Fall in Extras to Stone Memorial

Extra innings told the story Monday night for White County, and it didn’t end the way the Warriors hoped. White County jumped out front early, lost the lead late, battled back to tie it in the seventh, and ultimately watched Stone Memorial slip away with an 8–7 win in the eighth.

The Warriors wasted no time getting on the board. Back-to-back doubles from Cole Gentry and Austin Pionke produced the first run in the bottom of the first. An inning later, White County broke things open. Griffin Adams singled, and walks to Will Thomas and Kolt Norris loaded the bases. Kaden Seibers lined a ball into left to drive in two runs. Cole Sims followed with a bunt that led to an error, allowing another run to score, and Clay Brewington capped the inning with a line drive to center that brought home two more. Just like that, the Warriors held a 6-0 advantage.

Stone Memorial began to chip away in the middle innings, scoring once in the third, twice in the fourth, and adding another run in the fifth as White County’s offense cooled off.

The turning point came in the sixth. A walk, a hit-by-pitch, and a single loaded the bases for the Panthers. A fielder’s choice combined with an error allowed two runs to score and tie the game. Moments later, a pair of singles pushed Stone Memorial in front, 7-6.

White County went quietly in the bottom of the sixth but answered when it mattered. In the seventh, Gentry reached on a single and stole second. With two outs, Brewington delivered again, driving in the tying run to send the game to extras.

In the eighth, Stone Memorial capitalized on a single, an error, and a sacrifice bunt to take the lead once more. The Warriors had a chance in the bottom half. Adams drew a leadoff walk, and Thomas followed with a single to put runners on the corners with no outs. But three straight strikeouts ended the threat — and the game.

On the mound, Thomas worked 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits. Nick Nelson went 1.1 innings, giving up two runs on one hit. Matthew Wilson closed out the final three innings, surrendering three runs — two earned — on four hits.

White County won’t have to wait long for another shot. The Warriors and Panthers meet again tonight, this time in Crossville.

WHITE COUNTY BOX SCORE:

HITS: Cole Gentry 3, Clay Brewington 2, Austin Pionke 1, Griffin Adams 1, Will Thomas 1, Kaden Seibers 1
RUNS: Cole Gentry 2, Griffin Adams 1, Kolt Norris 1, Kaden Seibers 1,Cole Sims 1
RBI: Clay Brewington 3, Kaden Seibers 2, Austin Pionke 1
2B: Austin Pionke, Cole Gentry
TB: Cole Gentry 4, Austin Pionke 2, Clay Brewington 2, Griffin Adams 1, Kaden Seibers 1, Will Thomas 1
SB: Griffin Adams 2, Cole Gentry, Will Thomas

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