MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Meigs County rode another strong pitching performance from Ashley Rogers and defeated White House Heritage 2-0 in the Class AA state softball tournament Tuesday at the Starplex complex.
Walker Valley took Powell to eight innings before falling 3-1 to Powell in Class AAA.
Meigs (31-3) will get a shot at avenging Rogers' only pitching loss of the season in 27 decisions when it takes on Kingston today at 5 p.m. EDT.
Walker Valley (31-10) plays at 11 a.m. EDT against Dyer County.
» Meigs County 2, White House Heritage 0: Rogers allowed two hits for Heritage's only baserunners, and she stranded both at first base. She also hit a ground-rule double to center field to drive in the first run in the fourth inning, when the Lady Tigers scored their runs.
"They started trying to bunt on us, but we made the plays," Meigs coach Jeff Davis said. "I feel good once we get one or two runs on the board."
Rogers, who had 17 strikeouts, pitched a two-hitter against Kingston in the regular season. The single and double were in the same inning. Meigs had nine hits but did not score.
"We've got a little bit of a chance at payback," said Davis, whose team notched its first state-tournament win in Class AA after being 0-6 previously. The Lady Tigers won the last two Class A state championships.
» Powell 3, Walker Valley 1: A two-run rally in the top of the eighth inning was the difference for the Lady Panthers.
"It's always tough when you give up a run, but we were still fighting in the bottom of the eighth," Walker Valley coach Lauren Limburg said. "I know they're going to fight to the last out. We still had a chance to win."
Pitchers Allison Farr of Powell and Natalie Pruitt of Walker Valley matched zeros for six innings, then each surrendered a home run in the seventh. Laney Harris hit the tying shot to center field for the Lady Mustangs leading off the home half.
Abbey Davis went 2-for-3 for Walker Valley.
"It's good that we've still got a chance to come back out and play in the morning," Limburg said. "It's not over."
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.