Baylor’s Kelsie Clark rounds first base during their Spring Fling match against GPS Thursday.
Staff Photo by Jake Daniels, Chattanooga Times Free PressMURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Chattanooga archrivals Baylor and GPS will meet again for the championship in the TSSAA Division II-AA softball tournament at Starplex No. 3.
Baylor defeated the Bruisers 5-2 in Thursday’s winners-bracket final, and then GPS beat Pope John Paul II 8-4 in the losers-bracket final.
Baylor (32-7) and GPS (17-14) – which met in last year’s final, the Bruisers winning a fourth consecutive title – will square off at 8 EDT tonight at the Starplex No. 3 field. The Lady Raiders have won the previous three meetings this year.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” Baylor coach Kelli Smith said. “They’ve got such great experience at the state tournament, and there’s a history with these programs.”
The Lady Raiders came to the Spring Fling with a reputation for producing offensively, but their glovework has sparkled the last two days. Braleigh Angel, who was 4-for-4, drew praise from Smith for her work in left field. Smith also noted that catcher Cassi Pickett has struggled offensively at the tournament but it hasn’t affected her defense.