After an up and down regular season, the Cascade Champions got off to a hot start in the District 8-A baseball tournament on Thursday night.

The Champs gave plenty of early run support for starter Tyler Knight and Cascade was able to knock off host Huntland, 4-0.

Cascade wasted no time seizing control of the game, putting the first three batters on base-all three of which eventually came around to cross home plate.

Chance Brown led off the inning with a double to left with Cade Whitson following with a walk.

No. 3 hitter Ryan Inmon connected for a RBI single and later scored on a Single by Sawyer Lovvorn.

Whitson also scored on a RBI double by senior Logan McDonald.

With four runs crossing the plate in the first, Knight went to work in the bottom of the frame and despite giving up a pair of walks, got some help in the field on a double play to end the inning.

Huntland had its chances in the second inning as well.

With two outs, Huntland's T. Morris connected on a single and P Williams drew a walk to put two on.

But again, Knight worked out of the jam and after the second inning drama, retired the following eight batters.

Huntland again threatened Cascade in the sixth frame having drawn two walks and taken advatange of a Cascade error, but reliever Zach Crosslin entered the game in the sixth and recorded the final out for the Champs.

In all, Knight went 5 2/3 innings of one-hit baseball, striking out six to record the win.

At the plate, Inmon, Reeves, and Lovvorn all singled while Brown and McDonald recorded the extra base hits for Cascade.

The win put the Champs back on the road Friday evening with a trip to Moore County.

Earlier in the week, Cascade was scheduled to hold Senior Night against Richland, but stormy weather pushed the senior recognition to Wednesday afternoon.

"This senior class really works hard for us. They've worked hard all four years. They've really dealt with a lot in their four years from a coaching change between their freshman and sophomore years to having the COVID year in their junior year." Champion coach Josh Hammonds said.

"This year coming in, they're seniors, but they're playing as sophomores and juniors because they didn't get their junior years. They've really worked hard and hopefully have laid the ground work for these younger guys to show them they can overcome anything that comes their way."

While they're making the most of their senior season, a handful of players hope to continue playing at the next level, while others plan to step away from the game.

"We have a few that have gotten some interest. Adam Reeves is going to Lee University and has had a few tryouts. We still have high hopes for Austin Harden even though he got hurt this year, but we're still talking to several people to try and find him a spot.We have a few guys that are not looking to play college ball and they're just enjoying their senior year and hoping to do bigger and better things once they get out of school," Hammonds said.

Cascade 400 000 0 - 4 5 1

Huntland 000 000 0 - 0 1 1

Cascade: Chance Brown 1-for-3, Ryan Inmon 1-for-2, Adam Reeves 1-for-3, Sawyer Lovvorn 1-for-3, Logan McDonald 1-for-3.

WP: Knight