Nerves get Scotts Hill softball early
MURFREESBORO – Making its first-ever state tournament appearance in program history with a a roster loaded with freshmen and sophomores, there was bound to be some nerves leading up to the opening game for Scotts Hill softball.
Those nerves got the best of the Lady Lions, allowing Summertown to score four first-inning runs.
The Lady Eagles went on to beat Scotts Hill 8-1 in the opening round of the Class A state tournament at Starplex on Tuesday.
“In the first inning, we came out and made mistakes early,” Scotts Hill coach Tyler Sowell said. “I think we are going to bounce back pretty quick tomorrow. This is our first time up here in program history, and we are wearing it a little too hard on our shoulders.
“We got the first game over and made too many mistakes to win. We made contact but not at the right time. We have to come out tomorrow ready to get our first state tournament win. That is our goal right now.”
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Scotts Hill (28-16) faces elimination at 10 a.m. on Wednesday against the loser of Meigs County-Silverdale. Summertown (28-12-1) moves on to face the winner in the winners’ bracket at 4 p.m.
The first three runners for Summertown reached base with a walk, bunt single and single to left field before a two-RBI single by sophomore Megan Dinwiddie opened the 2-0 lead. A run scored on a passed ball and an RBI single by Anisten Burleson put the Lady Eagles up 4-0.
“We are glad to be here, so we have no expectations,” Summertown coach Greg Burleson said. “I think the nervous-energy helped us. We hit the ball well early, but we didn’t late. Scotts Hill did a good job keeping us off-balance.”
Dinwiddie finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Summertown went on to score runs in each of the next three innings to take a 7-0 lead.
VIDEO Sowell talks about team's early nerves
The Lady Lions created a positive in the fourth inning as sophomore Harley Bartholomew tripled to left field and scored on an RBI single by sophomore Caitlyn Mitchell.
“Harley’s hit shook some of the nerves off, and then Sarah Lindsey came in and got us some outs,” Sowell said. “We got to state and had some first-game jitters. All the teams up here are good, and we wouldn’t be here if we weren’t good also.”
Sophomore Melanie Alexander and Mitchell went 2-for-3 for Scotts Hill.
Scotts Hill must shake those nerves quickly as the Lady Lions face a team who took their fourth loss of the season on Tuesday evening.
“We are going to laugh a lot tonight,” Sowell said. “We are going to eat good and enjoy some time together like a family is supposed to.”
Michael Odom, 425-9754