Dobyns-Bennett softball dances to Murfreesboro in first-ever trip to the state tournament

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WCYB) — With a 5-0 lead and nobody on base in the top of the seventh inning, Dobyns-Bennett's Julianne Tipton winded up and delivered the high heat for what would turn out to be the most exhilarating strikeout in the softball program's history on Friday night.

Seconds later, the celebration ensued.

On that pitch, the Lady Indians took down Farragut to win the Sectional game in the 4A bracket to punch their first ever trip to Murfreesboro in the state tournament.

"This is awesome," said head coach, Andy Hubbard. "I'm surprised I'm not tearing up because you don't get many chances at this."

Though Hubbard may have not had tears in his eyes, there were plenty to go around at Indian Highland Park - with many players taking in the emotion of this feat after several years of work towards the moment.

"We worked hard for the past four years. We worked really hard, and a lot of the times it was very difficult to see success in the score. Even though we were being successful in learning things and getting better, it wasn't always going our way," said Julianne Tipton with tears in her eyes. "I feel like this is the first year where we just simply played for nothing other than each other."

It's also fitting that the Lady Indians would make it in a year where they may not have been on many people's radar after they lost a key piece to the puzzle in Hannah Frye who lost her season after tearing an ACL during basketball.

Regardless, the Indians rallied together and got hot at the right time.

"Our team pulled together even tighter, even tighter once she (Hannah) got injured. We've been through some stuff this year but they've kept a great attitude and work ethic," added Hubbard. "We struggled really bad at some points, but we came through it because they worked hard and played hard. How about that?"

And in this run where the Tribe have hit their peak, they have yet to allow a run over the last three crucial games, with major credit going to Tipton's work in the circle to shut out Farragut and avenge a loss they had to them two years ago in the same situation.

"It's an amazing feeling and Julianne's been lights out all week. We're riding off her her energy and when she's throwing that good, she's unhittable," said Hailey Porter. "It feels great to turn it around on them."

The offense though has also been playing a huge factor with Porter right in the middle of it, alongside Allie McConnelee, who both hits home runs in the win to extend the lead and put the game away. The Indians scored two runs right out of the gate in the bottom half of the first inning, allowing Porter and McConnelee to finish the job in the later innings.

"We've been so hot with the bats lately," said McConnelee. "It helped our confidence coming into this game because we came in thinking it was going to be a close game. Those two runs early really set the confidence for the game."

At the end of it all, the Lady Indians will get to continue their journey towards a hopeful state title - knocking down historic blocks one at a time after winning their first ever regional and sectional in the same week.

"We're peaking at the right time. Every year you hope and pray, but this group is special," added Hubbard. "We've had a couple of opportunities to go and we finally get to go. Great kids, great work ethic, and they can hit it."