TAD Splits With Robinson

By Wes Holtsclaw
STAR Correspondent

   The T.A. Dugger Jr. Cyclones came out to Wednesday afternoon's game with Ross Robinson Middle tied with Science Hill for the conference lead. But after a one run loss in the first game of the doubleheader, they moved back to second, forcing a win to stay in the hunt.
   They came out in the second game with fire and hammered the Ross Robinson Redskins 8-1, setting up a doubleheader for the conference championship with Science Hill.
   "This was obviously a big win for us," said Jr. Cyclone coach Jason Carter, "We wanted to get the sweep, but it still sets us up for Friday, with a final showdown against Science Hill. We have two losses, they only have one, so we've gotta go over there and get the sweep."
   "We can't go over there and split, we have to win them both for the conference title. The kids stepped up in the second game and showed a little heart. They hit the ball well on us tonight, but we stepped it up and we've got to go over there Friday ready to play."
   Josh Guinn took the win in the second game for T.A. Dugger, while Nick McNeal took the loss in game one, during his two inning stretch.
   GAME ONE
   Ross Robinson 8
   T.A. Dugger 7
   After an explosive first inning, it appeared that the Junior Cyclones had what it took to come out with the big win. But an explosive second inning from the Redskins was all it took, as they ended up with the 8-7 victory.
   The Junior Cyclones opened with a walk to Aaron Bray and a big single from Ryan Kennedy, setting up a game breaking triple with two RBI's for Cory Pearson.
   Adam Grindstaff singled in Pearson, followed by a Nick McNeil double to score Grindstaff, giving T.A. Dugger the 4-0 lead after the first inning.
   It turned out to be the Redskins' game. Robinson garnered two bases early, when Cody Burnett drove in a two RBI double. Will Henry brought in Burnett with an unearned RBI, setting up a big double from Jason Gasperson for two RBI's.
   Gasperson came in from a Matt Blessing single, but that was all Robinson got from the Junior Cyclones, as they took the 6-4 lead.
   T.A. Dugger scored three runs in different innings, but it wasn't enough to overcome a two run squeeze in the fourth from Robinson, as the Redskins took the 8-7 win.
   GAME TWO
   T.A. Dugger 8
   Ross Robinson 1
   The Junior Cyclones laid the smackdown on Ross Robinson in game two. Led behind a dominating second inning, T.A. Dugger overwhelmed the Redskins throughout the game defensively.
   Robinson scored its lone run in the first inning, as Brad Mayes drove in C.J. Stabler with an RBI single. T.A. Dugger got what they wanted in the second inning.
   Adam Grindstaff opened up with a double for the 'Clones, as Nick McNeil and Travis Bishop proceeded to load the bases. Justin Conway stepped up and hammered a single, driving in McNeil and Bishop, taking the quick 2-1 lead.
   Ryan Kennedy followed by singling in Bishop, leading to a J.C. Atkinson triple, driving in two runs. Atkinson made his way home from a Cory Pearson triple, giving the Jr. 'Clones a 6-1 lead, and they would keep it.
   Travis Bishop scored Nick McNeil with an RBI double, and J.C. Atkinson scored on an error with a rundown giving T.A. Dugger the big 8-1 victory.
   The Junior Cyclones travel to Johnson City for a doubleheader with Science Hill for the middle school championship, gametime is 4:30.