Cash Express, Twins garner ENLL tournament triumphs

from staff reports

   Opening night of the Elizabethton National Little League tournament came with no surprises.
   Cash Express started things off with a 16-6 victory over Burgie Drug, then the Elizabethton Twins turned away Grindstaff Motors by a score of 9-3.
   C.J. Campbell carried the big stick for Express, blasting a home run to go with a triple and a single in three at-bats. Wyatt Penrod had a strong effort, going 3-for-4, while Drew Chambers added a solid 2-for-2 performance. Daniel Wilson, Michael Coone and Caleb Sheets chipped in at 1-for-2 each.
   Austin Johnson picked up the victory for Cash, which scored six runs in both the second and fifth frames.
   Burgie, up 3-0 after the top of the first, got a solid 2-for-3 game from Luke Martinez. Garrett Thomas and Matt Febuary followed at 1-for-3 apiece.
   Getting off to an excellent start in their win, the Twins, who led 7-0 after two innings, used an all-around good performance from Zack Montgomery to dismiss Grindstaff.
   Batting 3-for-3 with a double and a triple, Montgomery also worked a four-hitter from the hill as 'Betsy earned a spot in Thursday's semifinals.
   Craig Sheets and Roy Edwards turned in 2-for-3 games for the Twins, followed by Phillip White and Lance Reed at 1-for-2 apiece.
   Logan Bowling was tops for Grindstaff, batting 2-for-2. Drew Clark was 1-for-2 and Brent Powell 1-for-3.
   Today's action will pit Carter County Bank vs. Carter County Motors at 5:45 p.m., then BET Welding and 6-Sigma at 8. The winners advance to semifinal play.