Cleveland CC Yetis Edge Caldwell CC in Home Opener Series

Shelby, NC – The Cleveland Yetis hosted the Caldwell Cobras in a thrilling three-game series, showcasing strong pitching, clutch hitting, and late-game drama. The Yetis took two out of three games, capitalizing on timely hitting and defensive resilience.

Game 1: Yetis Hold Off Caldwell CC in Nail-Biter (4-3)

In the series opener on January 31, 2025, Cleveland eked out a 4-3 victory despite being outhit 7-6. Caldwell struck first with a run in the opening frame, but the Yetis responded in the third inning when Nick Morris singled home Logan Norris.

The game saw a power display in the sixth inning, as Morris launched a solo home run and Gage Doss followed with another long ball to give Cleveland a 3-2 edge. Caldwell tied it up in the seventh, but Gavin Baucom's sacrifice fly in the bottom half proved to be the difference-maker.

On the mound, Clay Haigh (1-0) picked up the win in relief, while Liam Foley (Sv, 1) secured the save. Caldwell's Harrison Sherrill (5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 K) pitched well but took the loss.

Game 2: Cleveland's Dominant Shutout Performance (5-0)

The Yetis continued their momentum in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader, blanking Caldwell 5-0 behind stellar pitching. Jackson Gowan (1-0) tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out six. The bullpen kept Caldwell off the board, with Keely Furr and Jackson Nash combining for three innings of relief.

Offensively, Cleveland jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning. Mason White and Cruise Arnold drove in key runs, while Tanner Britt stole home in the fourth inning to extend the advantage.

Caldwell managed six hits but failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Will Blackburn (L, 0-1) struggled, surrendering five runs in three innings.

Game 3: Caldwell CC Rallies Late to Avoid the Sweep (4-3)

The final game of the series saw Caldwell flip the script with a dramatic seventh-inning comeback to snatch a 4-3 victory.

Cleveland struck early, scoring twice in the first inning behind Gage Doss' RBI double and Gavin Baucom's RBI single. Caldwell was held scoreless for six innings as William Spang tossed five shutout frames with five strikeouts.

But in the seventh, Caldwell's bats came alive. Huston Rector's RBI single put them on the board before Caleb White roped a three-run double to give the Cobras their first lead of the game. Daxton Savage (1-0) closed the door with a strong relief outing, while Charlie Davis (L, 0-1) suffered the loss for the Yetis.

Series Takeaways:

• Nick Morris was Cleveland's standout performer, going 8-for-12 with a home run and three RBIs across the series.
• Cleveland's pitching staff was dominant, allowing just seven total runs across three games.
• Caldwell CC showed resilience, bouncing back from two losses to win the series finale.
• Late-game execution was crucial, as all three games were decided in the final innings.

Cleveland (2-1) will look to build on their strong start, while Caldwell (1-2) aims to bounce back in their next matchup.