Seven Is Heaven As The Sounds End Series With A Bang

Nashville, TN — It’s Mother’s Day in Music City!

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The weather started off lovely as the Nashville Sounds played the sixth and final game of the series against the Norfolk Tides. Having already taken three of the first five matchups, Nashville decided to put on a show for the 7,239 fans in attendance—blowing out the Tides 7–2.

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Moms were out and about at First Horizon Park, and their energy was unmistakable. While some dads sit still with that stoic, know-it-all “cool,” moms couldn’t care less. They just want to enjoy the day with their kids—chanting chants, dancing to every tune (even the ones clumsily played on the organ). There’s a special kind of vibrancy that only moms bring, and the Sounds soaked it up—along with a little rain—and returned it in the form of one heck of a performance.

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The Tides struck first in the top of the first inning. Dylan Beavers made the short trip home on a soft shot to center by Vimael Machin, putting Norfolk up 1–0. I know, I know—I hyped up the mom energy and now we’re starting with a deficit. But I spoiled the ending already, remember? Hang tight.

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Besides, there’s a lot to do at First Horizon Park. Fans can enjoy 9 holes of mini golf, a wiffle ball field, Connect Four basketball, ping pong, cornhole—you name it. Especially if you’re entering from the southwest corner, it might be a while before you actually get to your seat.

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Things stayed quiet until the third inning. Beavers was back on third base, this time with runners also on second and first. Once again, Machin was at bat—but this time, a wild pitch by Sounds pitcher Sam McWilliams brought Beavers home, extending the Tides’ lead to 2–0.

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I get it. It might seem like all that energy I mentioned earlier was just smoke. But did I bring up the food yet? After burning calories playing games, fans needed fuel—hot dogs, peanuts, nachos, and of course, hot chicken (if you’re a tourist or a recent Nashville transplant). Hang in there—it’s coming.

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In the bottom of the third, centerfielder Jared Oliva reached third base, though his teammates Ernesto Martinez Jr. and Jorge Alfaro were picked off at second and first. Anthony Seigler followed with a single to bring Oliva home, getting the Sounds on the board at last.

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Then came the fifth inning—and the fireworks.

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With the bases loaded—Adam Hall on third, Jimmy Herron on second, and Nick Kahle taking first after getting hit by a pitch—it was Jared Oliva’s time to shine. After a rough series against Gwinnett (hitting just 4-for-27), he turned things around in this series, going 10-for-23. He leads the team with 11 multi-hit games, and this would mark his fourth game with three RBIs.

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Oliva ripped a shot deep into right field, easily scoring Hall and Herron. With two outs, Jorge Alfaro followed up with a knock to right, bringing in both Kahle and Oliva. Just like that, the Sounds surged ahead, 5–2, and the crowd was fired up.

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Unfortunately, the beautiful day began to fade—literally. Storms rolled in from the west. As the stadium joined in for the seventh-inning stretch and belted out a rather demanding old classic (I mean, “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack”? Buy me?), the clouds thickened and the rain loomed.

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In the bottom of the eighth, Oliver Dunn and Nick Kahle added insurance runs to make it 7–2.

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And then the skies opened.

Rain poured down in the top of the ninth, but play continued—there likely wouldn’t be a bottom half. The final batter for the Tides struck out with a body language that said, “Screw it. Let’s just go home.”

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The final score: 7–2. Fans dashed for cover. These two teams will meet again for another series beginning June 10 in Norfolk.

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Writer’s Note:
A special Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, Gwen Troeleman Sherman. You’re a saint—and I love you dearly!