District 2-3A softball: Claiborne eliminates Cherokee

NEW TAZEWELL — The Cherokee softball team saw its season come to an end in the first round of the District 2-3A softball tournament on Thursday, May 2, at Claiborne High School.

Allie Jones and Marley Sweet combined on a one-hitter to lead the Claiborne Lady Bulldogs to a 12-2 win over the Lady Chiefs in five innings. Jones, the starter, gave up two runs (one earned) on one hit with five walks and no strikeouts. Sweet, who picked up the win in relief, threw three hitless and scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

Senior Rachel Young had Cherokee’s only hit and drove in one run.

The Lady Chiefs struggled in the field, with nine errors. All 12 runs surrendered by pitcher Kennedy Dishner were unearned. She gave up six hits in four innings with two walks and one strikeout. Claiborne scored five in the first, three in the third and four in the fourth.

The loss ends the Lady Chiefs’ season with a 3-18 mark.

The District 2-3A tournament was scheduled to continue on Friday, May 3, with the winners’ bracket semifinals. However, it was postponed due to rain.

The plan is to try again on Monday, May 6, at Claiborne High School with games moving to Lincoln Memorial University later in the week. With the first-round win, Claiborne moves on to face top-seeded Grainger, while No. 2 Greeneville faces No. 3 Volunteer.

The championship is scheduled for Thursday, May 9, at 5:30 p.m. at LMU. A second game would be played at 7:30 p.m., if necessary, to determine a winner in the double-elimination tournament.

The champion and runner-up will advance to next week’s Region 1-3A softball tournament.