Monday, May 21st 2012 • 12:15pm

Sports > Preps

Without its head coach, Grace advances to substate

Grace Academy's Tory Helton pitched seven scoreless innings Wednesday night, as the Eagles beat Silverdale, 7-0, at home to win Region 3-A. They'll host Watertown Friday in a sectional game. The phone was ringing just minutes after Grace Academy beat Silverdale Academy 7-0 Wednesday afternoon. The Lady Eagles crowded around Alan Walkers phone in shallow left field and when someone picked up, they yelled Substate at home The first to hear that the Region 3-A title had returned to Grace for the fourth straight time was Lacye Walker, the pitcher that had led the Eagles to the first three. Wednesday, though, she was in St. George, Utah with the Chattanooga State softball team, preparing for the

Local scores and schedules

Wednesday night, a number of local baseball and softball teams clinched region championships, moving one step closer to the state tournament. Sectional games, which will decide who advances to Murfreesboro, will be played Friday night. Soccer teams are scheduled to play region finals Thursday and sectional games Saturday. The team tennis tournament has already reached the sectional round. For more information, visittssaa.org. All games are region semifinals, unless otherwise noted. Baseball Boyd-Buchanan 2,Whitwell 1 South Pittsburg 5, Silverdale Academy 0 Region 3-A championship South Pittsburg 3, Boyd-Buchanan 2 Red Bank 10 Polk County 9 Sequoyah 9, Central 5 Region 3-AA championship Red B

Local scores and schedules: Region finals set

Baseball, soccer and softball teams across the state have reached the region championship stage. Although no one will be eliminated in the next game, baseball and softball teams will play for home field advantage in the sectional round Wednesday night. Soccer teams will do the same on Thursday. The team tennis tournament has already reached the sectional round. For more information, visittssaa.org. Baseball Boyd-Buchanan 2,Whitwell 1 South Pittsburg 5, Silverdale Academy 0 Region 3-A championship Boyd-Buchanan at South Pittsburg, Wednesday Red Bank 10 Polk County 9 Sequoyah 9, Central 5 Region 3-AA championship Red Bank hosts Sequoyah, Wednesday Livingston Academy 3, Notre Dame 2 Smith Count

Ooltewah exits postseason in extra-inning defeat

Ooltewah's Zach Thompson pitched seven innings and struck out 11 batters Monday night at home against Warren County, but the Owls fell, 4-3. Ooltewah ends the season 24-13. The postgame speech, if there was one at all, was brief. Ooltewah players quickly grabbed a tool and headed back onto the field, dragging away cleat marks and chalk lines for the final time in the 2012 season. Coach Brian Hitchox had little to say to his team after a 4-3, nine-inning loss to Warren County on Monday night. They had prepared for everything they saw. The execution was just off. I dont know if youd call it being tight, or just not ready for the moment, Hitchcox said. I really dont know. There was nothing that

Would a shot clock be good for the high school game?

Baylor's Jeff Bowens holds the ball from Tyner defender Sadik Spence in a December game at the Best of Preps tournament. Baylor is one of many teams in the Chattanooga area that would like to see the shot clock stay away from the high school game. On January 28, the Baylor and McCallie basketball teams met for the first time in the 2011-12 season. The clash of styles-McCallies frantic pace and Baylors plodding patience-resulted in one of the most exciting games of the year. McCallie came in as the defending state runner-up and the favorite to win the 2012 title. Baylor stunted the Blue Tornado with its ability to drag out each possession. McCallie eventually won on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer

East Ridge earns surprising spot in regions, East Hamilton wins 6-AA

East Hamilton's Maria Walshe struck out seven batters in seven innings as the Lady Hurricanes beat East Ridge 8-4 Thursday night at Warner Park. The win gave East Hamilton its first ever District 6-AA softball title. Ashley Irvin walked off the lighted field at Warner Park Thursday night, toward a darkened parking lot. The East Ridge pitcher and first baseman, along with the rest of the Lady Pioneers, had just fallen 8-4 to East Hamilton in the District 6-AA championship game. As she walked, family on either side, a fan shouted from farther ahead on the sidewalk. Congratulations With a cheerful tone, Irvin said thanks and continued on, head held high. Back on the field, a few East Ridge play