Lexington softball seniors get elusive TSSAA state championship in third straight trip to title game

MURFREESBORO — Lexington softball coach Blake Burke made a sprint for the circle to hug pitcher Cadey McDaniel and catcher Kylie Waldrep before the rest of the team dogpiled after a 2-1 win over Gibbs on Saturday for the Class 3A state title. 

What followed after the dogpile was a range of emotions about Lexington's first championship since 2013. 

There was screaming, excitement and tears of joy from nearly every player, including the senior class of McDaniel, Brown, Kyrsten Brown, Jadyn Yarbro and Gracy Moling.

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They had finally achieved the one thing that eluded them. 

"I had a feeling I would cry but not like that. It's unreal and there's not another feeling like it and I'm glad I got to experience it with my best friends," said McDaniel, who had three strikeouts in seven innings.  

The senior class finished  134-20-1, with three district titles, three region titles, three state tournament appearances, two runnerup finishes, and now a state title.  

The Browns will continue their softball careers at UT Martin, McDaniel will go to Dyersburg State and Yarbro will go to Blue Mountain. 

"It's hard to say they are not the best team (in school history) because they didn't get four years they got three (canceled 2020 season) and they spent their whole career in the state championship game and finally got it done," Burke said. "On top of that, they went 49-1 their senior year — I don't know how to put that in words."

With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the seventh, junior Marley Maness hit a go-ahead solo home run to center field. 

"You dream about these moments and actually have one is unreal," Maness said. "I knew it was a home run. ... We knew she was an outside pitcher, which isn't my strong suit, but I crowded the plate and I just took a good cut." 

Despite Gibbs having two runners on in the seventh inning with two outs, Yarbro said she believed in the team. 

"We are taught to not get nervous but there is always a thought in your head that something could happen. But we pulled it off and I had complete faith in all my teammates," Yarbro said. "No, you couldn't have written this any better. It's amazing and I'm blessed to be a part of what I'm a part of. Third time's the charm."