The King’s Academy Lions beat Chattanooga Christian 3-1 in the TSSAA Division II Class A softball state championship at StarPlex in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Danny Parker)
BY MIKE BLACKERBY
MURFREESBORO — Kaylan Cole gutted out one more day of pitching and carried The King’s Academy to the state Division II-A softball championship Friday.
The junior Tennessee commitment shrugged off a painful biceps injury and led the Lady Lions to their third state title in four years with a 3-1 win over Chattanooga Christian.
“It was about focus and really throwing pain out the door,” said Cole, who first injured her arm right before the region tournament.
Cole struggled for much of the state tournament because of the injury, but saved her best for last as TKA (38-6) won its third elimination game in the last two days.
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“I took every pitch for granted before I got injured,” said Cole.
“I’ve been in constant pain every time I pitch, especially on the ones that miss low. It’s like a sharp pain, but when I get the ball back (from the catcher) I just have to wash it (the pain).”
Cole checked the Lady Chargers (25-12) on five hits while striking out two and walking a pair.
“That’s Kayla,” said Lady Lions coach Marc Weekly.
“She wants the biggest stage when it matters most. She pitched a gem.”
Less than 24 hours after pounding Chattanooga Christian 17-2 in another elimination game, TKA needed Cole to be at her best Friday as the game developed into a low-scoring affair.
Lady Chargers pitcher Madison Hollis allowed only five hits.
Senior shortstop Haydyn Jenkins (2-for-2, one RBI) was a catalyst for TKA.
She singled to open the second inning and scored on a line-shot single off the center-field fence by K.J. Ammons.
The King’s Academy Lions beat Chattanooga Christian 3-1 in the TSSAA Division II Class A softball state championship at StarPlex in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Friday, May 24, 2019. (Photo by Danny Parker)
TKA went up 2-0 in the third inning when Regan Weekly knocked in Katelyn Norris with a sacrifice fly. Norris singled to start the inning.
Chattanooga Christian cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth, but the Lady Lions added an insurance run in the sixth.
Weekly reached on an error and scored on a one-out double by Jenkins.
“I’ve said it all along since she was in the eighth grade,” said Weekly. “Haydyn Jenkins is the best shortstop in the state.”
Weekly said the victory was extra special because of the way his team had to battle out of the loser’s bracket.
“I’ve never had a team more like the cardiac kids,” he said.
“It’s not easy to win it when it’s expected, but our team is extremely gritty.”
Weekly said it was bittersweet to watch several outstanding seniors, including his daughter, play their final games in a Lady Lions uniform.
“It’s just a special feeling to be with this group of seniors on the last day they play softball,” he offered.
“I know they’re going to go on and do great things as young women.”