BRISTOL, Tenn. – Tennessee High’s softball team has a stud in junior workhorse pitcher/slugger Carly Compton, but it’s not a one-trick pony.
Freshman shortstop Addie Wilhoit will surely have the option of playing Division I softball like Compton, who has committed to North Carolina.
Compton, a hard-throwing right-hander, struck out nine while recording a five-hitter and Wilhoit went 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs and three RBIs as the Vikings beat David Crockett, 7-1, in the Region 1-AAA championship game on Thursday at Rotary Park.
Tennessee High (24-4), which won its second region title in three years and defeated Crockett for the fifth time in five meetings this season, will host Gibbs on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Pioneers (22-15) will visit Carter in the sectional on Friday at 6 p.m.
Compton and Wilhoit helped end the suspense early on Thursday. Catcher Abby Haga fisted an RBI single to right-center field during the Vikings’ two-run first and Wilhoit made it 5-0 with one out in the bottom of the second when she jumped on a 3-1 fastball.
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“I was looking for an opportunity,” Wilhoit said. “It was right down the middle.”
Wilhoit, who made a couple of difficult plays at shortstop look rather routine, entered the game hitting .731 with runners in scoring position. The home run was her 12th of the season, which moved her ahead of Compton for the team lead. She also has a team-leading 40 RBIs.
“Addie Wilhoit, I’ve said it time after time, she’s an absolute baller,” Compton said. “I mean, she makes the adjustments, and she’s the most selfless player that you’ll ever meet. Even when she hits a home run, she’s not thinking about herself, she’s thinking about everyone else and what the team’s gonna do afterward. That’s one of the reasons I love her, because she’s not only a great athlete, but she’s a great person.”
Compton (21-1), of course, is the straw that stirs the Vikings’ Gatorade. The fact that Crockett was relatively pleased with getting five hits and limiting the strikeouts to single digits speaks volumes.
“It gets tougher each time because they’ve seen me multiple times,” Compton said. “But I trust my training, my pitches and what I need to do, and we’re gonna execute and I let God take care of the rest.”
Compton’s coach says her intangibles are about as impressive as her physical skills.
“She’s a competitor,” Boggs said. “We started getting flat and I came out of the dugout one time to give ‘em a little talk, and bless her heart, I finally patted her on the back and I said, ‘All right, Coach Compton.’ But she was doing what she needs to do – being a team leader.”
Tennessee High center fielder Kaylie Hughes went 1-for-3 with a walk and three runs. Haga was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Compton was 1-for-3 with a walk and third baseman Macie Strouth went 1-for-2 with a walk.
Laney Britton was 2-for-3 and made a difficult catch in right field. Julie Maupin homered and made a diving catch in left-center field to rob Hughes.
Tennessee High got crowd-pleasing defensive plays from Wilhoit, second baseman Mazzy Wilson and right fielder Katy Granger, who charged hard for a sharply hit ball and threw out Autumn Wynn at first base to rob her of a single.
Crockett coach Alex Dulaney opted not to pitch freshman ace Madelyn Dulaney to give her more rest for the sectional. The region championship was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but was pushed back a day due to rain.
“Tennessee High’s a team that can really hit,” Alex Dulaney said, “and we were in a spot where the rainout yesterday really hurt us and altered some of the plans. We made the best decision for tomorrow. As much as I wanted to compete as much as we can in these championships, tomorrow is an elimination game.”
Tennessee High will be playing Gibbs in an elimination game for the second straight year. The Vikings’ 2023 season ended with a 4-0 loss at Gibbs.
Compton, a transfer from Tazewell High School in Virginia, wasn’t on Tennessee High’s team last year, but she can gain a measure of revenge as well. She pitched a complete game in a loss to Gibbs her freshman year at Tazewell.
“I think we lost like, 5-3,” Compton said. “So I know Gibbs. They’re a really good ball club, and that’s exactly what I want. I love playing good teams. I’m very excited playing good competition.
“I don’t care who we play, it’s unfinished business, because we go after everyone hard. I would hate to be the one standing in our way, because we are crazy hungry and we are so excited.”
David Crockett 000 001 0 -- 1 5 0
Tennessee High 220 300 x -- 7 7 0
Wilson, Corum (2), Dunbar (6) and Dugger. Compton and Haga. W—Compton. L—Wilson. HR—Wilhoit (THS), 2nd, two on; Maupin (DC), 6th, none on.