There were not a lot of people outside of the Covington High School softball program who expected the Lady Chargers to be in the 2025 Class 3A state tournament.
The team is young and a new coach was named one week into the season.
So much for the naysayers.
Covington defeated Millington last Wednesday to win the region title and then beat South Gibson 4-2 at home Friday night to earn the program’s first trip to state since 2021. The Lady Chargers open state tournament play Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Murfreesboro against Gibbs.
“I am extremely excited to be going to state with this group of girls,” said head coach Maddie Lane. “I took over as head coach one game into the regular season, so I’m proud of how the girls have handled this transition. We have battled adversity from the beginning and we continue to prove people wrong.”
Kinslee Hamm had a huge game in the sectional win over South Gibson. She pitched all seven innings, struck out four, walked none and scattered seven hits. She also singled, tripled and drove in a run. Madi Hamm hit a solo homer and Kale Wheeler and Bella Crook each doubled. Caroline Cole added a single. Madi Hamm’s homer to left came in the bottom of the fifth inning and Kinslee Hamm took care of the rest. Centerfielder A.J. McCommon, who drove in a run, caught the final out in the top of the seventh and the celebration was on.
“We were district runner-up, regional champs, and now we’re headed to state,” Lane said. “The girls want to continue proving themselves to their peers. Our motto this season has been to block out all of the outside noise and to control what we can control. We want to show people this program is moving in the right direction. All 18 players (especially our seniors) are overjoyed and ready to compete Tuesday. The job isn’t done yet.”
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