SHAWN DIGIANFELICE

Sports Writer

Cascade wasted little time making a statement Tuesday night in the TSSAA Class AA State Baseball Tournament, erupting for five runs in the second inning and riding another strong pitching performance to a 7-2 victory over Westview.

The Champions collected 10 hits and used a balanced offensive attack along with dominant work on the mound to move one step closer to a state championship.

After a scoreless opening inning, Cascade broke the game open in the second. Jordan Childress and Wickey Parker sparked the rally as the Champions sent multiple runners across the plate to seize early momentum and take control.

Westview answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, but Cascade’s pitching staff slammed the door from there, holding Westview scoreless over the final five innings.

The Champions added two more insurance runs in the sixth inning to put the game away.

Childress delivered a huge performance at the top of the lineup, going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBIs. Parker also turned in a big night, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Jayden Hathcock added a double and drove in a run, while Xykaiah Dixon, River Maddox, Eli Wesenberg and Daymian Maldonado each collected hits in the balanced attack. Wesenberg scored twice for Cascade, and Dixon added a stolen base.

Hathcock earned the win on the mound, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five over four innings. Parker provided key relief work, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and Jace Cagle closed the game with a scoreless final inning.

With the win, Cascade (25-8), moves on to face White House Heritage in a winners bracket game Wednesday at 5:00 P.M. at Riverdale High School.