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BY JESSE SMITHEY
MURFREESBORO — Eight area softball teams played on the opening day of the 2024 Spring Fling, and six won.
From historic wins to another no-no, here’s what happened with 5Star Preps softball teams on Tuesday, May 21.
CLASS A
Wartburg 3, Wayne County 1 — Tied 1-1 in the seventh inning, Madison Starkey smacked a ball right up the middle that bounded off second base. The single drove in a run and broke the tie, and another run crossed on an errant throw for a 3-1 lead. In the bottom half of the seventh, Braylen Melton polished off her complete game and gave Wartburg its first-ever state tournament win its first-ever appearance. Melton allowed only five hits while striking out seven against zero walks. Wartburg will face Gordonsville (30-5) at 11 a.m. Central time on Wednesday.
“It’s a little overwhelming,” Wartburg assistant coach Jordan Sarat said of the first win at state. “I’m really excited for our girls. I couldn’t be more proud of the moment that we had and I’m really excited to see what we can do in the future.”
Oliver Springs 5, South Fulton 0 — Oliver Springs senior Bella Thornton went 1 for 2 with a solo homer and pitched a complete-game, three-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks. Oliver Springs will play at 11 a.m. Central time Wednesday against Jo Burns (27-13).
“Our defense had my back today,” Thornton said. “Everyone played clean. We played good together. We scored a lot early in the game, so that helped us a lot, having that to fall back on.”
CLASS 2A
Alcoa 12, Cheatham County 1 — The Lady Tornadoes weren’t happy with their quick exit from last year’s state softball tournament and have been determined to make amends for that. Step One of their redemption tour came in a commanding win Tuesday. The Lady Ts (39-3) collected 11 hits and left just one runner on base as they dispensed of Cheatham County in five innings. Halley Bailey went 2 for 3 with two RBIs while Adrianna King was 2 for 2 with three RBIs. King hit a homer, as did Olivia Emert. Alcoa will face Liberty Creek (27-7-1) at noon Central on Wednesday.
CLASS 3A
Carter 11, Upperman 4 — The Lady Hornets weren’t just happy to be at state Tuesday. They were there to compete and win. In their first-ever state tournament game, Carter (20-9) scored 11 runs on 15 hits and committed only one error on the biggest stage of the season. Malaney Etherton threw a complete game with six strikeouts. Six Carter players logged two or more hits, led by McKinley Grubbs’ 3-for-4 night with a homer and two RBIs. Jenna Wilson was 2 for 4 with three RBIs and Marah Yeo 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Carter will play Lexington (33-15-1) at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
“All the girls were really excited. The parents and the fans in the stands were really excited,” Carter coach Nicole Light said. “But my assistant coaches and I tried to get the girls to understand ‘one game at a time. It’s just another ballgame. Don’t let the moment get too big for you.’ And they did. They went out and executed and played really well.”
Gibbs 11, South Gibson 1 — The 1-5 hitters for Gibbs absolutely raked at the plate Tuesday, going a combined 12 for 23 with eight RBI. Lacey Keck went 2 for 5 with three RBIs and pitched a complete-game four-hitter. Gibbs (28-12) will play Soddy-Daisy (24-10-1) at 1 p.m. Central on Wednesday.
CLASS 4A
Halls 2, Henry County 0 — The Lady Red Devils (35-7) no-hit their fourth consecutive opponent, as Atiana Stamper struck out 10 and walked one in seven innings of work. Halls got just two hits but plated runs in the second and third innings to give Stamper some run support. Harper Bales and Makenzie Irwin drove in runs for Halls, which plays Stewarts Creek (29-14) at 10 a.m. Central on Wednesday.
When Stamper gets going early in the game, she’s tough to handle throughout. And her temperament helps in high-pressure situations.
“She’s laid back. Calm, cool and collected,” Gordon said. “Don’t see a lot of emotion out of ‘T’ at all.
“She was locked in (today).
DIVISION II-A
University School of Jackson 9, Knoxville Grace 7 — Grace led 5-0 but USJ plated six runs in the fifth inning to take the lead. Grace answered back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. But USJ scored three in the final inning to send Grace into a losers bracket game against Lakeway Christian at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. Ava Malone led Grace in defeat with a 2-for-4 day with a home run and three RBIs.
Silverdale 7, Lakeway Christian 1 — Lakeway left 10 runners on base, which isn’t the recipe to beating a team like Silverdale (48-3). The Lady Lions (23-9) will look to stave off elimination Wednesday against Grace Christian.