We’re about to reach the serious part of high school softball. Most of the non-region games have been played and it’s about time to find out who the real contenders are.
We all know that Baylor, Chattanooga Christian and GPS have been the most dominant Division II-AA teams in recent years with Baylor having won state titles for the past nine years. CCS has been runner-up to Baylor for the past two springs while GPS has been a factor in the past and is trying really hard to get back in the mix.
The games between these three teams are approaching in the coming weeks to determine who the queen bee is. But it all began at CCS on Wednesday night when GPS squared off with the Chargers.
Things didn’t go so well for the Bruisers as they came out on the short end of a 9-2 final. But we all know that anything can happen between the lines and that there’s still a lot of key softball to be played.
CCS coach Steven Rogers is just happy that his team claimed the first win. The Chargers will be on spring break next week with key games against GPS and Baylor the week they return, so he was happy when his team prevailed as they improved to 15-4 overall and 2-0 in region play.
“Games like this are a lot of fun to be part of, but I was really proud of my team today,” he said after a talk with his girls following the game.
“We were missing a couple of starters, who were home sick, but others really stepped up and made some major contributions. We’re on spring break next week, so this is a great way to head out.
Southpaw Kylie Black was the winning pitcher, but wasn’t quite as dominant as she’s been in other games. This was her first time to face GPS and she emerged as the winner after allowing two runs on seven hits while walking five and striking out seven.
Rogers is just glad she’s part of his team.
“She wasn’t quite as strong as normal, but she seems to get stronger as the game goes on. This was her first time to face GPS and I thought about taking her out in the sixth inning, but she said she wanted the ball and I let her finish the job,” he added with a smile.
GPS coach London Cornelius knows that she has a really young team with tons of talent. She knows that her Bruisers are really close to having a breakout season, but they’re not quite there yet.
“We made adjustments too late and we left too many runners on base. We had some big hits, but not enough of them were timely. With a little luck, this could have been a different game,” she said afterward.
“We just have to move forward and learn from games like this. I’m proud that we kept battling the entire game. I like the potential that we’ve shown, but we just need to put it all together,” she added, knowing that her next game will be at Baylor on Tuesday.
The Chargers had runners on base in every inning, but GPS starter was able to avoid major problems in the first two innings. CCS finally broke through with two runs in the third, but it was a five-run fourth that ultimately the straw that broke the camel’s back as the Chargers took control and never looked back.
The Bruisers left nine runners stranded, including two in the first, fourth, sixth and seventh innings. They finally got a key hit in the sixth when Sylia Hicks had a two-run single with two outs, but Black was more than up for the challenge as she struck out leadoff hitter Jayla Gladden to escape further damage.
Hannah Smith had an infield single with one out in the third and scored the first run on a double by Millie Fox. Nyla Halfacre followed with an RBI-single. Addi Lewis then had a two-out double, but was left stranded when McKaine Layne struck out to end the inning.
The fourth inning was the biggie for the Chargers. Smith got the first two outs in a hurry, but the walls came tumbling down afterward as E.C. Chafin singled, Neely Fillman reached on a bunt before Smith was safe on a fielder’s choice to load the bases.
Fox, who had four hits and three runs scored with three RBIs, followed with a two-run single to left before Halfacre cleared the bases with a three-run homer to center. Sky Marshall replaced Smith at that point and got Lewis on a long fly to center to end the inning, but the damage had been done.
GPS finally broke its scoring drought with two runs in the sixth.
Bailey Long reached on a CCS throwing error before Marshall singled. Ansley Bratcher then walked to load the bases. Black then got Sydney Lawson on a hard liner to center for the second out before Hicks ripped a 3-1 pitch down the line in right for two runs.
Black then recorded her seventh strikeout of the game to end the Bruiser rally.
CCS then responded with two more run in the bottom of the sixth.
Smith walked with one out before Fox singled again. Halfacre then flied to right for the second out as Smith trotted home before a single by Lewis drove in Fox with the final run of the game.
Fox was the leader for the Chargers with four hits among other things while Halfacre and Lewis both had two hits each. Halfacre only scored once, but had five RBIs.
Marshall had three hits to lead the GPS offense while Smith had two.
Black was the winning pitcher while Smith took the loss after allowing seven runs on 10 hits. She also had two strikeouts with no walks.
GPS will be at home on Friday to host Rhea County before going to Baylor on Tuesday. CCS will travel to GPS for another key region game on Tuesday, April 22 before hosting Baylor on Thursday, the 24th.
GIRLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL 000 002 0 – 2 7 0
CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN 002 502 x – 9 12 1
Smith, Marshall (4) and Long; Black and Flowers.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)