Spring Garden Athletics has a trio of new hardware to add to their trophy case following a weekend sweep of the baseball and softball diamond.

The Spring Garden varsity baseball team was the first to capture a County crown, with the Class 1A #8 ranked Panthers (10-2) defeating the Cedar Bluff Tigers (9-2) by a final score of 8-3. The Panthers were led by pitcher Weston Kirk, who earned the win alongside 10 strikeouts over 6.1 innings of work, and also went 3-for-4 batting with two doubles and a pair of RBIs. The Spring Garden baseball team is coached by Barrett Ragsdale.

Spring Garden’s softball team earned their trophy next, albeit with a scare or two before they ultimately claimed their win. The #7 Lady Panthers (5-3) took on 2A #5 ranked Sand Rock (9-2) in the double elimination tournament, with the Lady Wildcats earning the first win over the at-that-point undefeated in tourney play SG girls by a final of 4-2. The if-necessary game followed, keeping just as close as the first clash, so much so that Sand Rock sent the game to an extra inning of play with a 4-4 score. What followed in the top of the 8th inning for Spring Garden was a pair of runners on base, which allowed Payton McGinnis to get the Lady Panthers a return to the lead with a two-run hit, and followed by a sacrifice fly by AJ Broome that got McGinnis home. Abbey Steward finished things off, getting the go complete game win by a final of 7-4. Spring Garden softball is coached by Ann Welsh.

Spring Garden’s junior high baseball team completed the Saturday sweep, with the Panthers earning a 5-2 victory over Cedar Bluff in the Cherokee County JH Baseball Tournament Championship. Denver Jarrett pitched a complete game on route to win. The junior high Panthers are coached by Tony Benefield. (JH Baseball Photo courtesy of the Cherokee County Herald)