At least one Tipton County-area team will compete at next week’s TSSAA Spring Fling State Championships and four more have a chance to play their way in today.
The Tipton-Rosemark Academy softball team’s offense was dominant yesterday while sweeping Middle Tennessee Christian School at home in a best-of-three sub-state series.
TRA took game one 12-7 and game two 18-2 to make it to Murfreesboro for the first time since 2018. The Lady Rebels will begin their quest for a third state title Tuesday at 4 or 5:30 p.m. against Jackson Christian, Columbia Academy or Silverdale.
“Just making it to the final four and giving yourselves a chance at another state title is huge,” said TRA coach Johnie Sanfratello. “We thought we a had a really good chance last season but, of course, COVID happened and that didn’t happen. These younger girls knew that and decided they’re not gonna take any game for granted. They committed to the weight room again as well, getting better at softball and the result is another trip to the state final four. The girls are beyond excited and they know we have a really, really good shot at another title. But really, the hardest part is getting there. It sounds very cliche, but if you get there, anything can happen.”
TRA (33-6) scored in every inning of game one and banged out 12 hits. Charli Rice and Myah Wright were each 2 for 4 with a homer and Brooke Harrison singled, doubled and drove in two. Ali Naumann and Ryleigh Bowers each drove in two.
Rice struck out four and allowed three earned runs over seven innings to earn the win.
Game two was more of the same as TRA scored 11 runs in the top of the third to take control of the game. Kayla Clement had two triples and four RBIs to pace the offense. Bowers drove in three runs on two doubles and Brooklyn Rose, Naumann, Rice and Addie Thorpe each doubled.
Rice struck out four and allowed just three hits in six innings to pick up her second win of the day.
The TRA baseball team began a best-of-three sub-state series at the same time and location as the softball team and split the first two games against Grace Christian Academy.
Grace Christian scored four runs over the final three innings to edge TRA 8-7 in game one.
With the season on the line in game two, Zach Seward pitched six hitless innings while striking out eight in a 5-0 TRA win. Patrick Green was 2 for 4 with an RBI and Porter Hughes singled, doubled and drove in a run. Noah Roland was 3 for 3 with two RBIs.
Rosemark (24-15) host Grace Christian today at 1 p.m. The winner advances to the DII-A state tournament.
The Covington softball team routed Bolivar 12-1 on Wednesday in the region title game to earn the right to host a sectional game today at 7 p.m. against South Gibson. The winner moves on to the Class AA State Tournament.
Covington’s baseball team lost to Ripley 8-2 Wednesday in the region title game. The Chargers will be looking to make it back to state with a win today at 7 p.m. in Medina against South Gibson.
Brighton’s baseball team lost the Region 7-AAA title game 4-3 to Hardin County on Wednesday. The Cardinals will travel to Houston today at 7 p.m. with a chance to advance to the Class AAA State Tournament for the first time in program history.
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