Chattanooga Christian made three errors in the top of the first inning - two on the same play - in Tuesday's first game in its TSSAA Division II-A state quarterfinal softball best-of-three series. And it couldn't have played much better defensively after that.
The Lady Chargers not only played errorlessly the rest of the way, they also made some standout plays behind right-hander Madison Hollis, who worked all 14 innings on the night in their 5-3 and 8-3 victories over Donelson Christian Academy. As result, CCS is on its way to next week's state tournament.
"I'm just so proud of them," said CCS coach Lisa Gray, who was overcome with emotion. "They've been through so much. They've fought all year and overcome so much adversity."
The Lady Chargers' errors combined with two Lady Wildcats hits led to three first-inning runs. But Hollis held them right there the rest of the way and was the beneficiary of a five-run third inning in which she contributed an RBI double. Rachel Kay had the big blow with a two-run double.
"I think we just had to settle down a little bit," Gray said. "The girls have been waiting for this since we won last week."
An hour-plus rain delay to the doubleheader couldn't have helped.
As the visitor in the second game, CCS found itself clinging to a 4-3 lead after the Lady Wildcats touched Hollis for two runs in the bottom of the sixth. But she got those back with a home run, and three batters later Lauren Kay tacked on another two-run shot to pad the lead.
"She's been our hoss (in the pitching circle) for three years," Gray said of Hollis. "We know her determination and fight is going to be there no matter what."
Lauren Kay paced the second victory by going 3-for-4 with a triple and an RBI single to go with the late heroics. Hollis was 2-for-4, her other hit a run-scoring single, and Rachel Kay had a key two-run double in a three-run first inning.
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him on Twitter @KelleySmiddie.