Friendship's Nolan notches one-hitter against Merrol Hyde

HENDERSONVILLE — Friendship Christian used two big innings to run rule Merrol Hyde 11-0 Wednesday at Drakes Creek Park.
The Commanders scored a touchdown, complete with extra point, in the fourth inning and tacked on four more in the fifth.
Stephen Nolan fired a one-hitter with no walks and seven strikeouts as the Commanders climbed to 13-10 for the season and 7-0 in District 8-A.
Friendship finished with 10 hits, including two each from Bryant Alsup, Jon Miller and Stephen Pryor. Pryor, Miller, G.L. Waynick, Jessie Coe and Brent Boyd doubled.
The Commanders will return to Sumner County today when they bus to Westmoreland for a 4 p.m. district duel.

Six-run second lifts Cotham, Bears to shutout win
LAVERGNE — With six runs in the second inning, Mt. Juliet coach Mark Purvis might have wondered if this was a District 9-AAA game he was watching Wednesday night.
Fortunately for the Golden Bears skipper, his right-hander, Josh Cotham, turned in a typical 9-AAA outing in a 7-0 Mt. Juliet victory over LaVergne.
"It's a relief to get a lead like that," Purvis said after his Bears improved to 17-8 for the season and 5-2 in the district. LaVergne fell to 1-6 in the league.
Tyler Carr cracked a two-run homer while Cotham doubled home a run in the second and homered in the third. Ryan Overstreet drove in a run in the second as he and Lance Harrington each had two singles.
Cotham allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out 10 as the junior squared his record at 2-2 for the season.
The Bears will step out of district tonight, though the opponent will be no easier as Riverdale visits Mt. Juliet for a 7 p.m. first pitch.

Patriots punch in runners in 9-3 win over Lebanon
MURFREESBORO — Lebanon and Oakland each put up 10 hits Wednesday night, but the state's top-ranked Patriots made theirs count for a 9-3 District 7-AAA win.
Oakland jumped to a 6-0 lead to chase starter Garrett Fanchier in the second inning. Tyler Burnett homered in the second before Scott Ward went deep in the fifth against reliever Callen Harrell as the Patriots improved to 29-1 for the season.
"The difference between them and us is when they get runners in scoring position, they get them in," Lebanon coach Tracy Slone said after his Blue Devils dropped to 11-15 for the season and 1-8 in District 7-AAA.
Brent Morris had an RBI groundout in the third inning and Drew Brockette a run-scoring single in the sixth for Lebanon.
Cody Ferrell doubled as he, Brockette and Harrell had two hits each while Fanchier, Morris, Dexter Cross and Christian Jennings singled.
Lebanon will host Gallatin in a makeup game at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Veterans Field.