SHAWN DIGIANFELICE

Sports Writer

Cascade showcased its firepower and depth throughout the week, combining dominant pitching and timely hitting in a pair of convincing victories over Huntland and Franklin County before a late push fell short in a 7-5 loss to Richland.

Cascade – 10, Huntland – 0

Cascade turned in a complete performance Monday night, combining timely hitting with a dominant showing on the mound to cruise past Huntland 10-0.

The Champions broke things open with a six-run second inning and never looked back, backing a lights-out effort from Jayden Hathcock, who fired a one-hit shutout while striking out 10.

Cascade’s offense stayed steady throughout, piling up 10 hits and applying pressure in multiple innings. Xykaiah Dixon led the way with a big night at the plate, driving in four runs on two hits, while Caleb Crouch added three hits and two RBIs to pace a balanced attack. River Maddox scored three times and contributed a hit, and additional RBIs from Jordan Childress, Wickey Parker, and Daymian Maldonado helped keep the lineup productive from top to bottom.

Meanwhile, Hathcock controlled the game from the outset, allowing just one hit and no walks across five innings.

Cascade – 10, Franklin County – 1

Cascade wasted little time taking control Thursday, blasting a pair of first-inning home runs and cruising to a 10-1 victory over Franklin County.

Jordan Childress and Wickey Parker both went deep in the opening frame as the Champions jumped out early, and Cascade never looked back. Elijah Wesenberg added a sacrifice fly in the inning as the Champions built a 3-0 lead.

Cascade continued to apply pressure throughout the night before breaking it open with four more runs in the sixth. Caleb Crouch launched a solo homer, Jayden Hathcock connected on a two-run shot to center, and Daymian Maldonado added an RBI single to help put the game away.

The Champions finished with 12 hits in the win. Xykaiah Dixon, Parker and Maldonado each collected two hits, while Hathcock and Crouch drove in two runs apiece.

On the mound, Parker earned the win after allowing three hits and one run over four innings while striking out seven. Jayce Cagle closed it out with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit.

Richland – 7, Cascade – 5

Cascade’s bats delivered all night, but timely execution proved the difference as the Champions dropped a 7-5 decision to Richland on Friday.

Cascade put together a strong offensive showing from top to bottom, led by Caleb Crouch, who turned in a big night at the plate with four hits. Jordan Childress added three hits, including a sixth-inning home run, while Wickey Parker also went deep and drove in two runs as part of the Champions’ balanced attack.

Cascade struck quickly to answer Richland’s early surge. After the visitors plated two runs in the top of the first, Parker responded with a home run to right field in the bottom half to tie the game at 2-2.

Richland regained control in the second and maintained the lead through the middle innings, capitalizing on patience at the plate and aggressive baserunning to stay in front.

The Champions made their push in the sixth inning. Childress delivered the biggest swing of the night, launching a two-run home run to left field to pull Cascade back within striking distance at 7-5, but would get no closer. 

On the mound, Childress got the start and worked four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out four and walking three. Crouch worked the final three innings giving up four runs (two earned) while striking out seven and walking four batters.

Cascade (15-7, 3-3), returns to action Monday as they host Community to open their final district series before traveling to Community on Tuesday. Both games are scheduled for 6:00 P.M.