GRAY DEYOSports Writer

The Wildcats took their home field for their regular-season home opener, and despite a late rally, they were handed a loss by The Webb School, losing in extra innings 8-7.

After being knotted in a 3-3 game heading into the fifth inning, The Webb School separated themselves from Tullahoma by scoring three runs in the top of the fifth, making it a 6-3 game. Wildcat Mason Bratcher was able to get one run back in the bottom of the inning, hitting a line drive double to center field scoring in Baylan Tuten to make it a four-run game. 

Tuten on the day had the most hits out of the Wildcats going three for three and played a huge part in forcing the game into extra innings.  In the bottom of the seventh inning, Tuten blasted a three-run home run to right field to make it a 7-5 game. Wildcat Andrew Zebick hit an RBI double and Xander Pogue hit a ground ball with two outs that fumbled in the hands of The Webb school shortstop that resulted in the Wildcats tying the game at 7-7 forcing extra innings. Unfortunately for Tullahoma, their furious comeback was not enough. 

The Webb School in the first inning of extras struck a home run out to left field to give them an 8-7 advantage and poured on the pressure to the Tullahoma side to score in their next three outs. Tullahoma in the bottom of the eighth got two straight outs leaving them with one life left in the contest. Tuten was next up at bat and ripped a triple to put himself in scoring position, as the Wildcats could have tied it with a hit or won it with a homer. Wildcat JD Schmisseur put the ball in play in Tullahoma’s next at bat, but flew out to center field and ended the game.

Last year’s state champs are now 0-2, they will look to get in the win column in their next game when they take on Riverdale High School on Mar. 6.   

The Wildcats took their home field for their regular-season home opener, and despite a late rally, they were handed a loss by The Webb School, losing in extra innings 8-7.

After being knotted in a 3-3 game heading into the fifth inning, The Webb School separated themselves from Tullahoma by scoring three runs in the top of the fifth, making it a 6-3 game. Wildcat Mason Bratcher was able to get one run back in the bottom of the inning, hitting a line drive double to center field scoring in Baylan Tuten to make it a four-run game.

Tuten on the day had the most hits out of the Wildcats going three for three and played a huge part in forcing the game into extra innings.  In the bottom of the seventh inning, Tuten blasted a three-run home run to right field to make it a 7-5 game. Wildcat Andrew Zebick hit an RBI double and Xander Pogue hit a ground ball with two outs that fumbled in the hands of The Webb school shortstop that resulted in the Wildcats tying the game at 7-7 forcing extra innings. Unfortunately for Tullahoma, their furious comeback was not enough.

The Webb School in the first inning of extras struck a home run out to left field to give them an 8-7 advantage and poured on the pressure to the Tullahoma side to score in their next three outs. Tullahoma in the bottom of the eighth got two straight outs leaving them with one life left in the contest. Tuten was next up at bat and ripped a triple to put himself in scoring position, as the Wildcats could have tied it with a hit or won it with a homer. Wildcat JD Schmisseur put the ball in play in Tullahoma’s next at bat, but flew out to center field and ended the game.

Last year’s state champs are now 0-2, they will look to get in the win column in their next game when they take on Riverdale High School on Mar. 6.