SHAWN DIGIANFELICE

Sports Writer

Three games. Two extra-inning battles. One dominant finish. Cascade didn’t just win the District 9-AA Tournament—they earned every inch of it.

From a back-and-forth thriller against Summertown to a gutsy, late-night squeeze play in Loretto, and finally a statement-making championship performance, the No. 3-seeded Champions put together a flawless 3-0 run that showcased resilience, clutch execution, and star power. When the pressure was at its highest, Cascade delivered its best baseball—capping the week by overwhelming Summertown 9-1 to bring home the district title.

Cascade – 7, Summertown – 4 (8 innings)

Cascade saved its best for when it mattered most. Behind a clutch performance from Wickey Parker and a late offensive surge, the No. 3 seeded Champions rallied for a 7-4 extra-inning win over No. 2 Summertown on the road Thursday night, advancing in the opening round of the District 9-AA tournament.

In a game defined by momentum swings, Cascade stayed within striking distance all night before delivering the decisive blow in the eighth inning.

Summertown grabbed early control on a solo home run from Chase Blackwood in the first, and the contest settled into a tight battle as both teams struggled to generate sustained offense.

Cascade broke through in the fifth when Parker delivered a go-ahead two-run single, putting the Champions in front 2-1.

The lead was short-lived, as Summertown capitalized in the sixth—using an error and a walk to push across runs and reclaim a 3-2 advantage.

The back-and-forth continued in the seventh. Cascade answered with two runs to regain the lead, only to see Summertown respond again, tying the game at 4-4 on a wild pitch and forcing extra innings.

That’s when the Champions seized control. Caleb Crouch opened the eighth-inning rally with an RBI single to break the tie, and Parker followed with a two-run double, driving in his third and four runs of the night to give Cascade a 7-4 cushion it wouldn’t relinquish.

Cascade finished with 10 hits, led by Parker’s big night at the plate. Jayden Hathcock and Thomas Demartelaere each recorded multi-hit performances, while Jordan Childress consistently applied pressure at the top of the lineup by reaching base multiple times.

On the mound, Crouch delivered a strong start, working six innings while allowing just one hit and three runs (two earned) with five strikeouts.

Hathcock took over in relief and shut the door, tossing two innings of one-run ball to earn the win. Despite issuing seven walks, the Champions limited the damage and came up with key defensive plays—including a timely double play—to stay within reach until their offense broke through late.

Cascade – 4, Loretto – 3 (10 innings)

Cascade delivered in the biggest moments Friday night. A perfectly executed safety squeeze by Wickey Parker brought home Jordan Childress with the go-ahead run in the 10th inning, and Parker made it stand, lifting the Champions to a 4-3 extra-inning win over Loretto on the road.

The victory secures Cascade a spot in the District 9-AA Championship as well as a berth in the Region 5-AA tournament. In a game that turned into a battle of endurance, the Champions leaned on timely hitting and a dominant relief effort from Parker to secure the win.

Cascade built an early edge, scoring once in the third before adding two more in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead.

Loretto answered and eventually tied the game in the sixth, setting the stage for a tense, scoreless stretch that carried into extra innings.

In the 10th, Cascade executed to perfection. Parker dropped down a safety squeeze to score Childress with the go-ahead run, giving the Champions a 4-3 advantage. From there Parker would finish off the Mustangs and claim a spot in Saturday’s championship game.

At the plate, Childress set the tone at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Xykaiah Dixon added two hits and reached base multiple times, while Parker and Daymian Maldonado each delivered key hits—Parker driving in the game-winning run and Maldonado adding an extra-base knock. River Maddox also contributed with an RBI.

On the mound for the Champions, Jayce Cagle got the start, working 3.1 innings while allowing four hits and two runs with five strikeouts. Childress followed with 2.1 innings of relief, giving up one run on two hits with a pair of strikeouts. Parker took over from there and was dominant, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out nine to earn the win and shut the door late.

District 9-AA Championship

Cascade – 9, Summertown – 1

Cascade saved its best for the biggest stage. In the District 9-AA Championship, the Champions rode a dominant all-around effort to a 9-1 win over Summertown, powered by an explosive third inning and standout performances at the plate and on the mound by District 9-AA Co-Pitcher of the Year Jayden Hathcock.