SOFTBALL

Jackson Christian softball staying relaxed between state tournament games

Brandon Shields
Jackson Sun

 

The three senior softball players at Jackson Christian have had their sights set on one more trip to the state tournament all season.

It’s been four years since the Lady Eagles competed for a state championship, and that was Jackson Christian’s final year in Division II-A before returning to Division I. They were eighth-graders that year.

Now as seniors in Jackson Christian’s final year before going back to Division II, they get one more chance.

Jackson Christian's Kacie Lynch (1) catches the ball for an out against Scotts Hill at Jackson Christian's Warner Taylor Field in Jackson, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

“Going to state is something we haven’t gotten to do as often as we wanted to or thought we would after we got there when we were younger,” said shortstop Kacie Lynch earlier this season. “But it’s what we’ve been working for since the offseason.”

Fast forward to Monday. The Lady Eagles had made it out of District 15-A, through Region 8-A and outlasted Union City on the road in a sectional matchup to make those goals and visions of a trip to state a reality.

Coach Jennifer Wheeler liked the mood of the Lady Eagles as they made their way to Murfreesboro.

“They’re relaxed and confident, and that’s what you want at this point,” Wheeler said.

Monday’s activities before opening play against Meigs County in the state tournament included a couple hours of practice in late morning to get the girls warmed up.

“That’s when you really want them focusing in on the game,” Wheeler said. “Because at that point, we’re getting ready to play for a state championship.

“So that’ll be when the coaches kind of work to get their minds right for competition, and we’ll go out and do what we do as well as we can and see what happens against our opponent and see who we play next.”

Wheeler said the plan for the week is to keep the girls relaxed when it’s not time to focus on softball.

“Obviously we want to have success and win and accomplish the goal of winning a state championship,” Wheeler said. “But it’s also about enjoying the week while we’re up here.

“I remember when I played (at Lipscomb Academy) and we made a few trips to the state tournament when it was still in Chattanooga. Those weeks were some of the most memorable of my high school experience, and I want these girls — especially our three seniors — to enjoy that aspect of it while competing for a championship.”

Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com or at 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at jacksonsunsports.