The Clash of the Cats tradition made its way to the district tournament on Monday night in Franklin. The Russellville Panthers and Logan County Cougars faced each other for the chance to move on in the tournament. The two teams battled hard but the Cougars were able to come out with a 7-0 win to move on in the tournament.
The Cougars came out intense, gaining three quick outs on the Panthers early in the game. In the bottom of the first, Gage Hales hit a single and Dustin Cartas got hit by the pitcher, but they were not able to move far before the Panthers snagged the third out.
The second inning went by fast, with both teams playing smart in the field and gaining three outs fast. In the top of the fourth, with two outs down Russellvillle’s Corey Wright singled then Zach Denney walked, adding two base runners for the Panthers. But Cartas saw something the Panthers didn’t, and threw the ball to first before Denney could get back and got the final out of the inning.
The Cougars were ready to turn it up, and they did. Cartas started the inning off with a double. Matt Harper then stepped up to the plate and singles to drive in Cartas to make the first run. Both Cody Hunt and Ryan Basham were hit by the pitcher, which loaded the bases for the Cougars.
Thomas Miller was walked by the Panthers, allowing Harper to score. Caleb Bruner would single and Cartas would hit another double to bring in four more runs for the Cougars, ending the fourth inning with a lead of 7-0.
The rest of the game went by slow, the Cougars defense played smart and did not allow the Panthers to score. The Cougars would take the win and move on to face the Franklin-Simpson Wildcats in the district championship game.
Jacob Proctor and Zach Denney pitched for the Panthers. Proctor finished the night allowing two hits, five runs, walked one and struck out four. Denney finished the night allowing two hits, two runs, walked three and struck out one.
Caleb Bruner pitched for the Cougars and ended the night allowing three hits, no runs, walked one and struck out eight.




























