Farragut Softball poses with its 2021 Class AAA state championship. (Photo: Danny Parker)
By MIKE BLACKERBY
MURFREESBORO — Farragut pitcher Avery Flatford pumped her fist and joined in the celebration after striking out the final batter in Friday’s state softball championship game against Coffee County.
The 4-2 win was two years in the works, but the Lady Admirals left no doubt during their remarkable postseason run.
Farragut, whose only other softball state championship came in 1982, is the best team in Tennessee in Class AAA.
For Flatford and the Lady Admirals (37-2), Friday’s ending against the Lady Raiders (33-7-1) was in stark contrast to their gut-wrenching loss to eventual state champion Jefferson County in the 2019 sectionals.
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Flatford, who was a freshman at the time and was disconsolate after walking in the only run in the 11th inning in a 1-0 loss, said she has used that game as motivation ever since.
So has Farragut coach Nick Green.
“I don’t know about them (Farragut’s players), but it was motivation for me for two years,” said Green.
“We didn’t really get to remedy it last year (because of COVID). It left a bitter taste that just hung around.”
Flatford and the Lady Admirals finally can put that game behind them.
Friday’s win was a complete team victory with Flatford leading the way as she finished the season with a remarkable 22-0 record.
The Tennessee Tech commit pitched seven innings, gave up seven hits, struck out six and walked one.
“Avery had it today,” said Green.
Flatford, whose success in softball coupled with her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis is worthy of an ESPN 30-for-30 episode, won four games in four days at the state tournament.
She admitted it would have been tough if Coffee County had won and forced a second if-necessary game.
“I was tired, but I didn’t want to show it,” she said.
“I trusted my defense to make plays, and they did. My team really pumped me up.”
Coffee County pushed across two runs in the top of the fifth to break up the scoreless pitching battle between Flatford and Lady Raiders ace Keri Munn.
But back came Farragut in the bottom of the inning.
Cameron Young had a two-run double down the left-field line to tie it. Lauren Brakovec added an RBI single over shortstop as Farragut edged in front 3-2.
Emily Musco pushed across an insurance run in the sixth inning when her single plated Sarah Livingston, who led off with a single.
Farragut had 10 hits and played error-free defense.
“It was pretty exciting getting everybody involved,” said Green.
“We played amazing defense today.”
Ace Strickland and Autumn Caywood both went 2 for 3 at the plate for the Lady Admirals.
Avery Strickland celebrates during the 2021 state championship game. (Photo: Danny Parker)
Strickland exited the game after injuring her knee on a steal attempt at second base in the first inning, but she later returned.
“Strickland came back in the game and put great pressure on them,” said Green.
Farragut ended the season with a perfect 11-0 record in the postseason. The Lady Admirals won those 11 games by a collective margin of 86-6 runs.
The win also gives East Tennessee its fourth consecutive state championship in 3A.
Gibbs (2017), Powell (2018) and Jefferson County (2019) won the previous three state titles.
Flatford said the long journey back after the way 2019 ended turned out to be well worth it.
“It’s amazing,” she said.
“I’m just at a loss for words.”
5STAR PHOTOS: Farragut Softball, Class AAA championship game