Bears, Cherokees Win 5AAA Semis Openers Record Shutouts Over Hurricanes, Blue Raiders Friday, May 7, 2021 - by James Beach An ace and an ace-in-the-hole did their jobs Friday night and because of it, the Bradley Bears and McMinn County Cherokees find themselves on the brink of a region berth.
Bradley’s ace Cooper Casteel and McMinn’s closer-turned-starter Ollie Akens both twirled two-hit masterpieces as the Bears shutout East Hamilton, 2-0, and the Cherokees blanked Cleveland, 5-0, in the opener of best-of-3 District 5AAA semifinal bouts at Ooltewah’s AC Bud Ball Field last night.
The semis will continue on Saturday with McMinn and Cleveland playing at noon and the Bradley-East Hamilton series slated for a 3 o’clock first pitch.