Marion Tribune

The Marion Tribune, Thursday, May 30, 2024— 9A North Jackson Graduation SHANE SHOEMAKER Writer B oth Marion Co. and South Pittsburg com- peted in the 2024 TSSAA Track and Field Champi- onships for Divisions 1A and 2A last week. In the boys’ high jump, the Warriors Ty Johnson claimed sec- ond place with a jump of 6-02.00. His teammate, Brody Leonard, also competed in the event but didn’t qualify. Also participating for the Warriors was Ryan Kitchens in the boys shot put. The senior secured sixth place with a throw of 39-03.25. The Pirates’ Logan Hargis ran an impressive race in the boys 110-meter hurdles, fi nishing in fi rst place with a time of 15.28. This was his second state championship in the 110m hurdles. Hargis also fi nished fi rst in the boys’ 300-meter hurdles, with a time of 39.41. The Pirates relay team demonstrated their teamwork and speed in the boys 4x200 meter relay, placing eighth with a time of 1:35.52. They also fi nished sixth in the 4x100 meter relay. –Photos courtesy of Kirby Kitchen, SPHS and MCHS SHANE SHOEMAKER Writer S outh Pittsburg baseball made it all the way to the fi nal four of the TSSAA 1A state tournament before losing to Eagleville 11-1 last Thursday. The Pirates started the tournament with a 5-2 loss to Oakdale but then turned right around and beat Union City 6-2, thanks to another standout pitching performance from Zack Tierney. He went seven innings, gave up six hits and two runs (one earned), with two walks and seven strikeouts. But it was the Pirates’ six- run sixth inning that kept them alive. In a revenge game later that day, the Pirates got their win back over Oakdale, this time putting up seven runs to the Eagles’ one. Luke Rector went seven innings, gave up just three hits, one run, and struck out nine. Jake McGullion went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. In their fi nal four matchup, the Pirates were unfortunately no match for Eagleville, the eventual champions of the tournament. The Pirates put up only one run in the top of the second inning, while the Eagles scored four in the fi rst, one in the second, and six in the third. Errors were an issue for the Pirates, who had three, which was their combined total in the previous three games. –Photo courtesy of Tracy Cagle Richard Hardy Graduation Photos courtesy of Richard Hardy Memorial School Pirates and Warriors compete in state championship Pirates make it to Final Four in the state Photos courtesy of Tiffany Steele & Carey Wynne