SHAWN DIGIANFELICE

Sports Writer

After suffering a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to White House Heritage in a tense pitchers’ duel earlier in the day, the Cascade Champions had little time to regroup before going back onto the field just 30 minutes later for an elimination game at the TSSAA Spring Fling.

Unfortunately for the Champions, the bats never fully recovered.

Following the emotional loss to White House Heritage, Westview took advantage of a big middle inning Wednesday evening to eliminate the Champions 9-0 and bring an end to one of the most memorable seasons in program history.

Despite the season-ending defeat, Cascade closed the year with district and region championships while advancing to the TSSAA Spring Fling for the first time since 2015.

White House Heritage – 1, Cascade – 0

Cascade suffered a tough 1-0 loss to White House Heritage on Wednesday afternoon in a tightly-contested pitchers’ duel at the TSSAA Spring Fling.

In a game where every pitch mattered, both teams traded scoreless innings through the first five frames before White House Heritage finally pushed across the game’s only run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Champions had chances throughout the afternoon, but White House Heritage starter Caden Cayce repeatedly escaped trouble, tossing a four-hit shutout while striking out 10.

Jordan Childress led Cascade offensively with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double, while Wickey Parker doubled and reached base twice. Daymian Maldonado also added a hit for the Champions.

Caleb Crouch continued his strong postseason run on the mound, turning in another quality outing for Cascade. The right-hander allowed just one run on six hits over six innings while striking out four.

White House Heritage broke the scoreless tie in the sixth after consecutive hits set up an RBI single from Adam Malich that plated the game’s lone run.

Westview – 9, Cascade – 0

Cascade’s season came to an end Wednesday evening as Westview used timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and a big middle inning to eliminate the Champions 9-0 in the TSSAA Class AA State Baseball Tournament.

Cascade battled early behind left-hander Wickey Parker, who kept the Champions within striking distance through the opening innings while piling up eight strikeouts.

Westview finally broke through in the fifth inning, taking advantage of walks, hit batters and defensive miscues to score six runs and seize complete control of the elimination contest.

Cascade managed five hits offensively, led by Xykaiah Dixon, who went 2-for-3. Caleb Crouch, Parker and Jayden Hathcock each added hits for the Champions.

Parker suffered the loss after striking out eight over 4 1/3 innings. Jace Cagle, Dawson Youngblood and Jordan Childress all saw relief action for Cascade.

Champion head coach Travis Sheffield was disappointed with the way the season ended, but he had nothing but praise for his team — especially a senior class that helped bring the program back to prominence. The group won a regional championship as freshmen and closed out their careers by capturing district and regional titles while leading Cascade to a state tournament appearance.

“I’m so proud of my team, not only for being hard workers on the field and in the classroom, but for the way they represent Cascade in our community,” Sheffield said. “They are the definition of what a ‘Champion’ is supposed to be, and they’ve been that way since day one as freshmen. “These young men have set the standard for what our program is supposed to be and have laid a solid foundation that we can continue to build on moving forward.”

Cascade finishes the season with a 25-10 record, winning both the district and regional championships while making its first state tournament appearance since 2015.