BY MIKE BLACKERBY
MURFREESBORO — East Tennessee went one for two Tuesday in the opening day of the state Class AA softball tournament.
Gibbs, making its 34th state tournament appearance, pinned a 6-0 setback on Greenbrier.
The Eagles (30-11) move on to Wednesday’s winner bracket game at 4 p.m. against defending state champion Forrest (27-3-1).
Union County (26-15) dropped a 6-2 decision to Red Bank (24-9) in its tournament opener.
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The Lady Patriots face an elimination game at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday against Sequatchie County (30-8).
Gibbs, in the hunt for its 11th state championship in school history, faces a stern test against Forrest, according to longtime coach Carol Mitchell.
“They are really good,” said Mitchell.
“They have a great pitcher and they’re really fast.”
Forrest blew out Covington 13-0 in its opening state tournament test.
Gibbs rode the pitching of Abbie Buckner and an 11-hit attack that saw four batters record two base hits each.
Buckner allowed just five hits in going the full seven innings.
“Abbie is now at 14 straight innings where she has held the other team scoreless,” said Mitchell.
Shelby Blake, Dakota Large, Emma Keck and Addison Merritt all had two hits apiece for the Lady Eagles, who last won a state title in 2017.
“The second inning we took advantage of some mistakes they made and scored five runs,” said Mitchell.
“We had seven hits in the inning and scored four runs with two outs. It’s always nice to win the first game. That’s probably when nerves are the highest.”
Union County, making its first state tournament since 2016, got off to a rough start against Red Bank.
The Lady Lions scored three runs in the first inning to take charge.
Makenna Satterfield went 3 for 3 for Union County and Makayla Cooper ripped a home run.