MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A team that has knocked out the state softball competition the last three years proved it can take an early jab as well.
GPS gave up a run in the first inning, then rallied with two big innings of its own for an 11-1 victory over Pope John Paul II to open the Division II-AA state tournament.
“I think it kind of woke us up,” said Bruisers coach Susan Crownover, whose team has won the last three state titles. “We have a lot of seniors who have been here and had a lot of success, and I think they may have been a little overhyped early.
“But they settled down and now we get a day off.”
GPS will play the winner of today’s Baylor vs. St. Benedict game on Thursday.