Just before producing the hit of her lifetime so far, Soddy-Daisy senior Tatum Massengale heard some words of reassurance from Lady Trojans softball coach Kelsey Nunley-Moore.
The last-second bit of encouragement certainly didn’t hurt.
Massengale’s team-leading seventh home run of the season came in the most dramatic way possible: as a walk-off grand slam smacked over the right-field fence for a 7-3 home win over Page in a Class 3A sectional, sending Soddy-Daisy back to the Spring Fling state tournament for the second year in a row.
“Right before she went up to bat, I told her I wouldn’t want anybody else up here,” Nunley-Moore said. “I said this is perfect, you are ready for this. Just keep it simple and make something happen. Seeing her be able to finish like that on this field after all the work, tears and sweat she has put in is simply amazing. I am so happy for her and everyone.”
Massengale continues to deliver big home runs in the postseason, having already done so in district and region tournament championship victories over East Hamilton. She has won a region title in all three of her varsity seasons, with her freshman season canceled when the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports.