A total of nine UT Martin athletic programs are sponsoring camps this summer, ranging from May 28 through Aug. 1 at various locations on campus.

Published in The Messenger 5.24.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
MURFREESBORO — Jackie Hudson has heard all the jokes.

Published in The Messenger 5.24.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
MURFREESBORO — Getting to the state tournament is becoming a habit for the Union City High School girls’ tennis program.

Published in The Messenger 5.24.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
MUFREESBORO — Once a Devilette, always a Devilette.
After playing for South Fulton softball teams that made the state tournament in each of her four high school seasons more than a decade ago, Grace (Moss) Wood had no trouble deciding what she and her young daughter would do on her day off Wednesday.

Published in The Messenger 5.23.13

Remember when takes a look back at the local stories from the files of The Messenger that took place 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 years ago.
30 Years Ago
Published in The Messenger 5.23.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
MURFREESBORO — The final record will read that University School of Johnson City beat South Fulton to end the Devilettes’ 2013 softball season.
In reality, SF beat itself.

Published in The Messenger 5.23.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
MURFREESBORO — Youth is certainly being served with this year’s South Fulton softball team.

Published in The Messenger 5.22.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
MURFREESBORO — Big hits win big games.
And on any stage, they don’t come any bigger than home runs.

Published in The Messenger 5.22.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
MURFREESBORO — It came down to doubles.
Then, it came down to a tiebreaker.
Finally, it came an end.

Published in The Messenger 5.22.13

Milan girls’ hoops
lands big name

Published in The Messenger 5.21.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
There’s been considerable talk about the dwindling numbers with the Union City High School football program this spring.

Published in The Messenger 5.21.13

By The Associated Press
The massive tornado that ripped through a handful of Oklahoma City suburbs and killed at least 50 people grabbed the attention of the sports world on Monday, especially the players and coaches with ties to the area.

Published in The Messenger 5.21.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
South Fulton has arrived at a familiar destination after a couple of detours.

Published in The Messenger 5.21.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
Any state championship is tough to win.
This week, that will certainly be true for Union City’s entrants in the Spring Fling.

Published in The Messenger 5.21.13

Briefly


OCCHS softball
sets tryout date

Tryouts for the 2014 Obion County Central High School softball team will be held May 28.
The auditions will be held on the Lady Rebel field on campus and are set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
All girls must have a current physical to participate.

Hickman winners
post 3-under

A team made up of Kathy Barker, Wanda Brown, Jaque Lethcoe and Jackie Russell shot 3-under to win the weekly women’s scramble at the Hickman Country Club Thursday.
Second place went to the foursome of Tina Powell, LeAnn Gantt, Dino Nerren and Liz Roberts at 2-under.
Carole Lattus was closest to the pin on hole No. 8 with a shot that landed 8’7” from the cup.
Sixteen ladies participated in the scramble.
The ladies play every Thursday evening at 5:30. Those interested in playing are encouraged to call (270) 236-9128.
 

Published in The Messenger 5.20.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
After 20 extra minutes, the clock struck zero too early on Obion County Central.

Published in The Messenger 5.20.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
Experience is indeed the best teacher.

Published in The Messenger 5.20.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
It wasn’t supposed to end this way.

Published in The Messenger 5.20.13

Jackie Hudson and Jasmine Dysart certainly know the road to Murfreesboro by now

Published in The Messenger 5.20.13

Elimination games on the road went well for South Fulton last week.

Published in The Messenger 5.20.13

10-under top score
for ‘Pop’ winners

Poplar Meadows Country Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting 10-under par.
The team Ron Cooper, Clint Damron, Kyle Alexander, Justin Alexander, Dave Frankum and Adam White.

Published in The Messenger 5.16.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
It was no surprise really, that Union City beat South Fulton for a third straight time this season to win its first-ever regional softball championship.

Published in The Messenger 5.16.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
Obion County Central is bringing history home.

Published in The Messenger 5.15.13

Maddie King and Tara Elam are headed to Murfreesboro.
The next order of business will be to find room on the trip for their teammates.
The Union City girls’ doubles tandem won twice in the Region 7A-AA Individual Tournament at the Bethel University courts in McKenzie on Monday afternoon to punch their ticket to the Spring Fling.

Published in The Messenger 5.14.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
Union City shut down a couple of McKenzie rallies and then went on two of their own.
It was more than enough.
The Golden Tornadoes scored twice in the bottom of the third inning and five times in the fourth on the way to an impressive 8-0 win over the Rebels in the opening round of the Region 7A Baseball Tournament on Monday evening at Elam Stadium/Ladd Field.

Published in The Messenger 5.14.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
Having cleared one hurdle in its last game, Union City soared to even greater heights on Monday.
The Lady Tornadoes won their first-ever regional tournament game, a feat that assured them a spot in both Wednesday’s 7A championship round and a berth in Friday’s sectionals for the first time in a 2-0 victory over McKenzie Monday evening at Graham Park.

Published in The Messenger 5.14.13

Union City’s teams have taken the shortest possible route, while South Fulton has traveled a little farther.
Ultimately, they have all reached the same place.

Published in The Messenger 5.13.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Press Sports
A (Prince) of an effort ensured Westview would indeed take care of some unfinished business.

Published in The Messenger 5.10.13

By RANDY CAVIN
Special to The Messenger
Obion Central took a big step that has been eluding the boys’ soccer team. Now the Rebels are looking to climb even higher.

Published in The Messenger 5.10.13

To finish on top, Union City started at the bottom.
Bottom of the ladder, that is.

Published in The Messenger 5.10.13

Eric Moore didn’t give Halls much of a chance.

Published in The Messenger 5.10.13

It was a celebration that was 20 years in the making.

Published in The Messenger 5.10.13

5K run at OCCHS
aids March of Dimes

The second annual Run To Remember 5K is scheduled for May 18 and will begin at Obion County Central High School.
All proceeds benefit the March of Dimes, which supports healthy babies and pregnancies.
Registration starts at 8 a.m., and the run starts at 9. There will be a balloon release at 8:45 for parents who have lost a baby.

Published in The Messenger 5.9.13

Remember when takes a look back at the local stories from the files of The Messenger that took place 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 years ago.
30 Years Ago
May 9 — Union City beat Obion County Central 13-9 for the district baseball tournament championship. Kevin Woodard was named most valuable player and was joined on the all-tournament team by fellow Tornadoes Dale Woodward, Rob Cursey and Jerry Slayton. Randy Mitchell got his fifth pitching victory in as many decisions for UC (20-3)  in the title game. Central (18-8) battled out of the losers’ bracket and forced a second game in the championship round by beating the Twisters in Game 1 9-8. Tim James smacked a first-inning homer and represented the Rebels on the all-tournament team along with mates Scotty 

Published in The Messenger 5.9.13

It’s been a great year for the Union City Middle School athletic teams.
Having already enjoyed high-level success in football and basketball, the Tornadoes capped off an outstanding sports year when the boys’ track team placed second among “around 40” schools in the West Tennessee Sectional meet in Memphis Wednesday.

Published in The Messenger 5.9.13

CHARLESTON, Ill. —  The UT Martin softball team went to an extra inning in the opening round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament before falling to the No. 4 seed Murray State Racers on a walk-off double by a score of 2-1 in the eighth inning.

Published in The Messenger 5.9.13

Derek Carr, the starting signal-caller for the UT Martin football team the last three seasons, has been selected to participate in a mini-camp tryout with the New York Giants over the weekend.
Carr will compete in a series of practices on Friday and Saturday, to earn a spot on the Giants roster. New York finished last season with a 9-7 record under head coach Tom Coughlin, one year after capturing its fourth Super Bowl crown in 2011.

Published in The Messenger 5.9.13

Both the Union City softall and baseball teams killed two birds with one stone.
The Lady Tornadoes and Twisters each moved into the championship round of their respective District 14A Tournaments and clinched a berth in Monday’s regional semifinals in the process with thrilling wins over host Halls Wednesday.

Published in The Messenger 5.9.13

Briefly


Six from Union City
set for sectionals

Union City has a carload ready for a trip to Memphis. Thursday, there could be enough to take a bus.

Published in The Messenger 5.8.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
With Westview finally conquered, Obion Central can look to climb even greater heights.

Published in The Messenger 5.8.13

South Fulton will have to fight its way out of the loser’s bracket to advance out of the District 14A softball tournament.

Published in The Messenger 5.8.13

Westview’s Suiter
won’t face charges

No indictment was returned by the Weakley County grand jury Monday against Westview head boys’ basketball coach J.B. Suiter.

Published in The Messenger 5.7.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
Zack King has the size to be an effective perimeter player in college. The Bethel coaching staff will now make sure he develops the skills needed.
The Obion County Central senior made it official Monday afternoon in front of family and teammates as he signed a grant-in-aid to play for the Wildcats.

Published in The Messenger 5.7.13

A heavy favorite against Gibson County in the first round of the Region 7A-AA soccer tournament, Obion Central didn’t mess around.
The once-beaten Rebels scored six first-half goals on their way to a 10-0 rout of the Pioneers Monday evening at Troy.

Pubished in The Messenger 5.7.13

By RANDY CAVIN
Special to The Messenger
Union City’s upstart soccer program saw its first season come to an end Monday night.
The Golden Tornadoes had to deal with a the start of game being delayed, some rain, mud and third-seeded Westview as the Chargers ended the Twisters’ inaugural season with a 6-0 score in the first round of the Region 7A-AA Tournament.

Published in The Messenger 5.7.13

When Jenna Miller finished off Amanda Lopez at the No. 3 singles spot, Union City had its second straight District 14A-AA girls’ tennis team championship.
The Lady Tornadoes were well on their way to the title regardless.
Ahead in the three other matches, UC was likely to claim the team title had anything gone wrong in Miller’s match, but that win completed a 4-0 shutout in the district finals Monday afternoon.

published in The Messenger 5.7.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
The Obion Central softball team gave the old postseason adage of “survive and advance” a new meaning.
The Lady Rebels won twice — including a game that started in Martin and ended in Troy — to remain alive in the District 13AA Tournament Monday.
Published in The Messenger 5.7.13

Union City is moving on in the District 14A baseball tournament bracket.
South Fulton is moving out.
The two Obion County entries met with opposite results in the rain-altered tourney Monday, top seeded UC moving into the winner’s bracket finals with a 7-0 shutout of Greenfield at Halls while SF was eliminated in the double-elimination event after a 4-2 loss to Lake County at Ripley.
Published in The Messenger 5.7.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Sports Reporter
In what has been a career full of transitions, Paducah, Ky., native George Wilson is going to have to be a student all over again.

Published in The Messenger 5.6.13

By RANDY CAVIN
Special to The Messenger
They had one more opportunity to play as high school seniors, and it was a fun one.

Published in The Messenger 5.6.13

Briefly


Rain-soaked Twisters
put away Pioneers

The Union City High School soccer team will enter the postseason on a winning note, having beaten Gibson County 4-1 in the rain Friday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium.

Published in The Messenger 5.6.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
It was hard to tell who had the bigger smiles — the Tennessee Titans’ Delanie Walker and George Wilson or the students at Lake Road Elementary.

Published in The Messenger 5.6.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
To make Tennessee No. 1, Butch Jones believes it will take the power of three.
The “Big Three” to be exact.

Published in The Messenger 5.6.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
Friday’s rains made a mess out of the spring sports postseason brackets.

Published in The Messenger 5.6.13

Briefly


Rebs better than SF
in shootout finish

Obion Central outshot South Fulton 4-3 in the shootout to claim a 5-4 win in their boys’ prep soccer match Thursday night.

Published in The Messenger 5.3.13

By MIKE HUTCHENS
Messenger Sports Editor
A lesser and inexperienced team might’ve panicked.
Top seeded and veteran-laden Union City didn’t.

Published in The Messenger 5.3.13

By KEVIN WEAKS
Messenger Sports
It’s not known if Union City’s slim three-point lead in the boys’ standings would have held up for five more events.
It also doesn’t matter.

Published in The Messenger 5.3.13

7-under round wins
weekly ‘Pop’ event

Poplar Meadows Country Club held its weekly scramble Wednesday with the winning team shooting 8-under par.

Published in The Messenger 5.2.13

Just one day after finishing up a strong showing on the individual level, the Union City boys’ tennis squad suffered an early postseason exit in team play.
Union City dropped a 4-1 decision to Halls in the District 14A-AA finals at the Union City Courts on Wednesday afternoon, ending the squad’s 2013 season.

Published in The Messenger 5.2.13

As is usually the case between two evenly-matched teams, the top seed in the District 14A softball tournament came down to one run.

Published in The Messenger 5.2.13

Remember when takes a look back at the local stories from the files of The Messenger that took place 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 years ago.
30 Years Ago
May 6 — Bobby Davies won the district singles championship and then teamed with Scott Critchlow to claim the doubles title in a Union City High School sweep of tennis supremacy in Jackson. Critchlow, who was beaten in the singles semifinals by Davis, won the consolation match to place third in individual play to help the Tornadoes win the team championship over Jackson Central-Merry. The UC girls placed second behind JCM in team play after Beth Young and Macy Kirkland were runnersup in the doubles competition. 

Published in The Messenger 5.2.13

The second day of the District 14A-AA Tennis Tournament will have a Purple and Gold tint.
Union City players filled five of the semifinal bracket spots following a busy first day of action on Monday.
The tourney, delayed two days due to rain all day Saturday, will see the semifinal and final rounds played this afternoon, beginning at 4. All the semifinalists will receive their All-District awards during a ceremony prior to the start of play.

Published in The Messenger 4.30.13

Obion Central saved its best for last.
The Rebels — who’ve struggled throughout the regular season — erupted for 16 fourth-inning runs to blast Blytheville (Ark.) 18-7 in their regular season finale Monday afternoon.
OC (3-17) hopes to ride the momentum from that victory into today’s District 13AA Tournament play-in game at Westview at 4:30.

Published in The Messenger 4.30.13

Monday’s results were a mixed bag for South Fulton.
The Devilettes hammered outclassed Humboldt twice (22-0 and 14-0) in a pair of District 14A makeup contests, but then struggled defensively and suffered a 7-3 eight-inning loss to Obion Central in the nightcap of a three-game day.

Published in The Messenger 4.30.13

Already big in stature, Montori Hughes had to grow in status.
Moving to a small town did it.

Published in The Messenger 4.29.13

Union City took another opportunity to give other teams a preview of what they will see at the Rotary Relays next week.

Published in The Messenger 4.26.13

It took a near-perfect performance by Meagan Prince to beat Union City.
Prince — a University of Kentucky signee — twirled a no-hitter with 19 strikeouts and drove in the game’s only run to lead Westview to a 1-0 eight-inning victory over the Lady Tornadoes Thursday afternoon at Eddlemon Field.
Prince allowed just one baserunner, that via an infield error in the sixth inning.
Her line drive single up the middle with two outs in the eighth represented the only hit in the contest for either team.
In other games Thursday, Obion Central edged Haywood 4-3 and South Fulton routed Halls 7-1 in softball, while in baseball, South Fulton topped twin-cities rival Fulton City 9-0, while Union City saw its seven-game winning streak snapped in a 4-2 loss at Trinity Christian Academy.
Today’s action — weather permitting — has Union City opening play in the Maddie Memorial Tournament at Martin and SF hosting Ballard Memorial in softball, while UC goes to University School of Jackson and South Fulton plays at Hickman County in baseball.
SOFTBALL
Westview 1, UC 0
Union City’s Sadie Hollis matched Prince pitch-for-pitch until the final inning, taking a no-hitter into the eighth.
Brooke Morrow’s leadoff fly ball to center went off Brittney Parker’s glove and Lady Charger courtesy runner Joy Hazlewood came home from third base when Prince lined the first pitch she saw from Hollis into centerfield.
Hollis finished with 11 strikeouts and two walks.
Union City will carry a 15-6 record into this week’s tournament play in Martin.
OC 4, Haywood 3
The Lady Rebels scored twice in the top of the seventh, then held on to improve to 15-12-2.
Hannah Cavness smacked a two-run homer and Carly Whipple went 3-for-4 with a double to pace OC’s 12-hit attack.
Alex Wilson doubled, singled and drove in a run, while Calli Johnson had two hits, including a double. Rachel Jones had a two-base hit and a RBI.
Baylie Boucher was the winning pitcher.
Obion Central plays at South Fulton Monday.
SF 7, Halls 1
Landry Webster led the Red Devilettes’ nine-hit attack, while Sara Reams limited Halls to just four hits in South Fulton’s lopsided District 14A triumph Thursday.
Webster was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI, while Reams struck out four and walked two in the complete-game win.
Aalia Bivens was 2-for-4 with double and two RBI, while Reams, Desiray Sturgeon, Cassidy Ruddle and Lexi Johnson all had a base hit for the Devilettes.
Today’s action begins with a junior varsity game, followed by Senior Day activities and the varsity game at 6 p.m.
The Red Devilettes also have three games on the schedule for Monday — all at home. In addition to its game with county rival Obion Central, which has been moved back to 7:30 p.m., South Fulton will make up a pair of 14A games against Humboldt with the first game starting at 5.
BASEBALL
SF 9, Fulton City 0
Ryan Prince (3-5) tossed a no-hitter and struck out 13 Bulldog batters to secure the Red Devils’ win.
Prince helped himself at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI as the Redmen (10-15) banged out 10 hits and were aided by three Fulton errors.
Austin Hazlewood was 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, Skylar Grissom was 2-for-2 with two runs, both Tyler Morris and Aaron Hollingsworth doubled and Zack Vaughn singled and drove in two runs for SF.
South Fulton scored in every inning but the fourth, including three runs in the fifth frame and two each in the third and sixth.
SF is slated to play in a tournament at Hickman County today and Saturday, facing the host Falcons as well as Ballard Memorial and Paducah Tilghman. Action today begins at 4:30.
TCA 4, UC 2
A pair of Tornado errors in the bottom of the sixth opened the door for a three-run TCA rally and snapped Union City’s string of victories.
UC is now 21-6 heading into today’s game vs. USJ.
The Twisters were limited to just four scattered singles in Thursday’s game in Jackson with Drake Parker, Luke Searcy, Drew Cooley and Caleb Long all collecting one hit apiece. Searcy had the locals’ lone RBI while both Parker and Christian Cousar scored the team’s only runs.
Eric Moore was the hard-luck loser on the mound, giving just one earned run and five hits while striking out six in a solid distance-going effort.

Published in The Messenger 4.26.13

OC youth group
hosting 5K event

The Obion County Youth Leadership will host a 5K run/walk and 1-mile fun run/ walk at Second Baptist Church in Union City on May 4.

Published in The Messenger 4.25.13

Remember when takes a look back at the local stories from the files of The Messenger that took place 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 years ago.
30 Years Ago

Published in The Messenger 4.25.13

Union City is ready to see if depth pays off, while Obion Central is looking for its high seeds to make a run.

Published in The Messenger 4.25.13

The recipe for success has long been great pitching and the long ball.
Union City put on a clinic showcasing those two ingredients on Wednesday.
Sadie Hollis struck out 13 and both Tory Reedy and Bettye Claire Beachum blasted home runs to lead the Lady Tornadoes to a 10-0 whitewash of Halls in prep softball at Graham Park.

Published in The Messenger 4.25.13