College Baseball:
MTSU– Win 7-2
The MTSU Blue Raiders took on #1 seed Charlotte in their first game of the Conference USA Tournament. MTSU woke up the bats early as they had a 3-0 lead heading into the third inning. In the third, they would give up a 2-run home run, but they still led 3-2. That would be the only runs the pitching staff allowed. The Blue Raiders tacked on 4 more runs over the course of the game to beat Charlotte 7-2 and advance on.
Vanderbilt Commodores – Win 5-4
The Commodores won in dramatic fashion last night against Ole Miss. After getting the first run of the game, the Rebels scored 3 in the sixth inning to take the lead. Vandy answered right back with 2 more runs in the bottom half of the inning and things were tied at 3-3. Then late in the game, Ole Miss plated a run in the top of the eighth. They held a 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. It was coming down to the wire. The winning run on third, and only one out Keegan singled to right field and brought home the winning run. Vanderbilt advanced off a walk-off single.
Tennessee Volunteers – Loss 3-2
The Volunteers took on the Crimson Tide in their first action of the SEC Tournament. Alabama got the scoring started in the second inning and took a 1-0 lead. They would tack on another run in the sixth inning, while the Volunteers remained scoreless. Then in the seventh inning, Tennessee tied things up with a pair of RBI singles. It was a brand-new ball game with 2 innings left. The game was still tied heading into the bottom of the ninth when it looked like Tennessee scored the winning run in a walk-off. However, it was ruled that the Vols’ Max Ferguson interfered with the second baseman. The umpire called runner’s interference, and the inning ended. The game was headed for extra innings. Neither team scored in the 10th, but Alabama scored a run on an RBI single in the eleventh inning. It came down to the Vols’ bats to tie or win the game in the bottom of the eleventh. They could not as they were retired in order and the game ended as they fell 3-2.
Nashville Sounds: Win 6-5
Make it 8 in a row for the Nashville Sounds! They beat the Columbus Clippers last night 6-5. Nashville got the scoring started first again last night with a 2 run first inning. They would add another 2 runs in both the third and fourth inning. They led 6-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth. That was when the Clippers made their big push. They plated 3 runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the Sounds’ lead in half at 6-3. They would make things even closer as they added 2 more runs total before the ninth inning. It was a 1 run ball game heading into the ninth at 6-5. Both sides were retired in order in the ninth and the game came to a close 6-5. Zach Green hit his 6th home run of the year in the ball game and Derby was credited with the win.
Atlanta Braves: Loss 9-5
The Atlanta Braves fell to the Boston Red Sox in game 2 of their mini-series. Atlanta held an early lead thanks to a triple from Albies and a double from Dansby Swanson. However, they could not hold on to the lead. In the sixth inning, holding a slim 4-3 lead, Boston plated 4 runs total in the inning to go up 7-3 on Atlanta. It was a tough one for the Braves as it was postponed in the middle innings due to rain. However, they were able to come out and finish the game. The Braves could not muster up enough hits and runs to challenge Boston though and they lost 9-5.
Cincinnati Reds: Suspended Bottom 4th 3-0 Nationals
The Cincinnati Reds took on the Nationals again last night to continue the series. The Reds gave up 2 quick runs in the bottom of the first inning and found themselves in a hole early. The Nationals added another run in the bottom of the third. The Reds only had 3 hits heading through the 4th inning. In the bottom of the 4th inning, the game was postponed due to weather. Eventually, the game was suspended, and the teams will resume the action again today. They will finish off last night’s game first at 2:05, then move into their regular schedule game this evening at 6:05.
Memphis Grizzlies: Loss 141-129
The Grizzlies and Jazz met for Game 2 of the series as the Grizzlies snatched Game 1 to go up 1-0. Last night, the Jazz did regain a vital part of their team in Donavan Mitchell. He was a late scratch for Game 1 with an injury but returned for last night’s action. Utah was pumped up for the return of their superstar and it showed. They came out hot in the first quarter. Led by Donavan Mitchell the Jazz ended the first quarter with a 36-27 lead. Most of their damage coming from behind the 3-point line.
The second quarter was more of the same. Dillon Brooks and Jonas Valanciunas were struggling as they got into foul trouble early in the first quarter. They were on the bench most of the first half trying to regroup and not foul out. The Jazz extended their lead with another 38-27 quarter and led 74-54 at halftime. It looked like the Grizzlies were done.
Then the third quarter came around. The Grizzlies were down at one point by 22, but they never gave up. They fought, clawed, and scratched their way back. Memphis’ Ja Morant took his play to a whole other level. By the end of the third quarter, the Grizzlies trailed 103-97. Only a six-point deficit.
It came down to the fourth quarter. It was back and forth momentum swings the whole game. Memphis just had their swing to end the third quarter, they had to weather the storm and then attack. Utah was just too much and shot too well for the Grizzlies to complete the comeback. They fell short of their comeback and lost the game 141-129. The Jazz totaled 19 threes in the game to the Grizzlies 8.
One high note for the Grizzlies to take with them though, Ja Morant put up 47 points. That is the most points scored by a player under the age of 22 in the NBA playoffs. His 47 points are also the most by any Grizzlies’ player in a post-season or regular-season game.
Spring Fling:
The Spring Fling for 2021 continued all day yesterday. The Watertown baseball team fell to Greenbrier 6-5, and they are now out of the tournament.
Check out the link below for all the updated scores and results:
https://tssaasports.com/springfling/
Don’t forget to watch our website this afternoon for the “Fastest 2 Minutes (or so) in Sports” for what to watch tonight: https://sumnercountysource.com/sports/
