NEWPORT- Cocke County gave another competitive effort on Thursday. But, when you go up against Cherokee pitching ace Whitney Gilbert, chances are that may not be enough.

In a game which wasn’t nearly as one-sided as the final score would indicate, the Lady Chiefs pulled away late for a 10-0 win over CCHS at Lady Red Field. The contest was scoreless until the fourth and the margin was a scant two runs heading to the sixth. Cherokee put the match-up away with two additional tallies in the sixth inning and a six-spot in the seventh.

Gilbert’s remarkable season continued for the visitors. The junior fired her 10^th no-hitter of the year and 25^th complete-game shutout. Gilbert lowered an earned run average which stood at an already microscopic 0.31 entering the day. Her pitching line on the afternoon featured 16 strikeouts (320 for the year). Cocke County coaxed two walks to prevent the possibility of a perfect game from the right-hander.

“It’s a little disappointing that we let up late in the game, but it’s tough when you’re not able to get hits,” said Lady Red head coach Terry Hurst. “I feel that Gilbert is the best pitcher in the IMAC, but we did have another really good defensive game.

“I’m just so proud of this team and feel we can play with Jefferson County in the tournament on Friday. We’re going to have to not allow a big inning and peck away on offense.”

Cocke County and Cherokee will each see action in the opening round of the District 2-AAA Tournament at Morristown’s Challenger Field. The Lady Red squad, the fifth seed, hooks up with the fourth-seeded Lady Patriots at 5 p.m. The Lady Chiefs, the third seed, meets sixth-seeded Greeneville at 6:30 p.m. After those first-round elimination contests, the event will resume on Monday with a double-elimination format. The tournament is scheduled to run through Thursday, May 8.

With Thursday’s victory, the Lady Chiefs are on the verge of a 30-win season with their 29-7 record (7-3 in the conference). Cocke County is now 19-16 and 2-8.

Senior Day was held at Lady Red Field with a ceremony honoring a pair of CCHS student-athletes prior to the game. Receiving recognition during the pre-game presentation were the two seniors on the Cocke County roster, Kelsey Shropshire and Whitney Laws.

A pitching duel developed early with the Lady Red’s Nicole Ball and Gilbert matching zeroes going to the fourth. The teams managed a total of just three base-runners in the first three innings. In the second, Courtney Davis singled for Cherokee and Ariel Frisbee walked for CCHS. In the third, Gilbert ripped a double off the fence in left-center for the Lady Chiefs but was also stranded.

Ball retired the first two hitters she faced in the fourth before Cherokee strung together a walk and two successive hits. Davis drew the base on balls and Keisha Barnett looped a single to left-center. Krisha Mahan plated both teammates by slicing a hit just fair into the right-field corner. A nice 9-2-6 relay (Nikki Smith-to-Shropshire-to-Kendra Walker) prevented Mahan from stretching the hit into a double.

CCHS managed to put another runner aboard in the last of the fourth, but Laws was left at first after walking.

Cocke County kept CHS off the board in the fifth, thanks to a strong defensive inning. Chelsea Hensley legged out an infield hit but was caught stealing by Shropshire. A fine running catch in center by Kara Morgan then ended the frame.

Cherokee came up with the insurance it was hoping for in the sixth. Gabbi Murrell singled with one out and scored as Ashlee Price smacked a base-knock, which was also overrun in center field. Davis made it 4-0 with an RBI double, though the Lady Red flashed more leather in preventing additional damage. A 7-6-5 putout (Leslie Munn-to-Walker-to-Kelli Wyrick) kept Davis from an extra base.

The outcome was fully cemented in the seventh as six Lady Chiefs dashed home to break the game completely open. Gilbert opened the uprising with a single and Savannah Ewing swatted a double. Abby Hughes dropped down a bunt, with an unsuccessful fielder’s choice attempt made at the plate. After an infield error, Price smacked a two-run single. Davis’ third safety of the afternoon produced another RBI and Hensley added a run-scoring infield hit. Another marker sprinted in on a wild pitch, with the lead swelling to the final margin of 10-0.

The game was completed in a crisp time of 1:17.