Kaylee Lovingood and the Alcoa Tornadoes lost 8-0 to Creek Wood in the first round of the TSSAA Class AA state softball tournament in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Photo by Danny Parker)
By Mike Blackerby
MURFREESBORO — Alcoa’s storybook softball season came to an end Wednesday in the state Class AA tournament.
Coach Sarah Bailey’s Lady Tornadoes exited with a 7-0 loss to Sequatchie County (32-11) in the losers bracket.
The story was much the same as it was Tuesday in Alcoa’s opening-game loss to Creek Wood: a lack of hitting.
“We didn’t hit the ball very well, but I told the kids I love them and I’m proud of them,” said Bailey, who took Alcoa (24-12-1) to its first state tournament since 2006.
“We had a phenomenal season,” she continued.
“(Getting to the state tournament) is what we want our expectations to be every year. We talked about how this should motivate you to work even harder in the offseason.”
Junior outfielder Sieanna Cameron (1-for-2 with a walk) was once again a catalyst for Alcoa at the plate.
Italia Kyle and Audrey Roach had the other hits for the Lady Tornadoes.
The Lady Indians put the game away with a five-run fifth inning.
Alcoa loses four seniors, but returns six starters in 2020.
“We had a lot of kids get great experience here,” said Bailey.
The King’s Academy
Coach Marc Weekly’s Lady Lions (35-5) advanced to the Division II-A winners bracket with a come-from-behind 8-6 decision over Friendship Christian on Wednesday.
TKA (35-5) takes on the winner of the game between Davidson Academy and Chattanooga Christian at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The Lady Lions overcame an early deficit of 4-0 and erased another lead by the Lady Commanders (35-9) with three runs in the sixth inning.
Kaylan Cole picked up the win for TKA.
Blayne King (2-for-2, three RBIs) and KayLeigh Ammons (1-for-3, two RBIs) led the Lady Lions at the plate.