The good times will keep rolling for the GPS program, which became the first TSSAA softball team to secure its place into next week’s Spring Fling in Murfreesboro.
Lone senior Bailey Long raised her hands in victory in her final home game after the senior first baseman secured the last out as the Bruisers swept Brentwood Academy in Tuesday’s Division II-AA quarterfinal doubleheader by scores of 8-0 and 9-0.
GPS (24-6) is seeking its ninth TSSAA state title overall and advances to the Final Four for the first time since 2023.
Freshman Sky Marshall provided a dazzling performance from the pitching circle, where the righty recorded every out of the shutouts by tossing 12 scoreless innings with six hits allowed and 15 strikeouts over 176 pitches. Marshall fanned 10 while allowing just one hit in game one, which lasted only five innings.
(READ MORE: Baylor, GPS to meet in Division II-AA tennis final)
Spring Fling softball on May 12, 2026
“Sky’s confidence is amazing,” Bruiser head coach London Cornelius said of Marshall, who also slugged a two-run home run in game one to provide an 8-0 lead in the second inning. “Sky wants the ball. She is a gamer, and she will do everything she can for her teammates in the game to make things happen.”
(SIGN UP: Get the daily sports newsletter in your email box by clicking here).
Sophomore Addison Smith was an offensive catalyst with five stolen bases over the two games. She also went 3-for-3 at the plate, including her 17th double of the season, in the opener to raise her team-leading batting average to .638. Long, who had two RBIs in game one, had three hits and drove in two more runs, while eighth-grader Abby Lewis tripled and scored a pair of runs and sophomore Caleiah Reyes had three of the team’s 11 hits in game two.
(READ MORE: Baylor, McCallie tennis to meet for title for third consecutive time)
> Chattanooga Christian 11, Lipscomb Academy 1: Before heading off to play college softball for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Hannah Smith is eyeing a repeat state title run in Division II-AA. The left-handed slapper went 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI as well as a pair of stolen bases in Tuesday’s six-inning state quarterfinal victory in game one of a best-of-three series.
Meanwhile, southpaw ace Kylie Black fanned a dozen batters while allowing just two hits and one run over six frames. Black also helped herself at the plate as she drove in a game-high four runs while going 2-for-2 with a double and a walk.
Nyla Halfacre and Ella Claire Chaffin each reached base three times for the Lady Chargers, who improved to 25-8-1 overall. CCS will look to reach the Spring Fling as the Lady Chargers host game two of the series Wednesday at 5:30.
> Boyd Buchanan 8-6, Goodpasture 5-7: Boyd Buchanan sophomore slugger Keke Jordan hit three home runs while going 4-for-4 with five runs scored, six RBIs, three walks (two intentional) and a hit by pitch in Tuesday’s Division II-A state quarterfinal home doubleheader split.
Jordan has now hit 17 home runs in 93 at-bats this season for the Lady Buccaneers (31-5), who were provided a 3-0 lead in the first inning of game two thanks to back-to-back home runs by Jordan and eighth-grader Malloree Harr. Harr homered twice in the game two defeat.
(READ MORE: Boyd Buchanan’s Jordan leads area’s surging softball power hitters)
The first pitch in Wednesday’s series finale will be at 4:30, with the winner advancing to the Final Four. The Lady Bucs are seeking their first trip to the Spring Fling since 2005.
SOCCER
Class 1A Boys
> CSAS 3, Sweetwater 0: On Monday, the Patriots improved to 17-2-3 overall and will look to avenge an earlier loss to CSLA in Wednesday’s 7 p.m. Region 2-A title match at 7.
> CSLA 3, Chattanooga Prep 0: On Monday, Conner Tate, Kieran Finch, and Henry Spann each scored goals for the Eagles (14-1-3), who will host the Region 2-A championship Wednesday at 7.
Class 3A Boys
> Signal Mountain 6, Kingston 0: The Eagles improved to 15-4-2 overall Tuesday and will host Thursday’s region title against South-Doyle (16-1-2).
> South-Doyle 3, Red Bank 0: The Lions season came to a close at 6-10-4 overall in the win-or-go-home match Tuesday.
Class 4A Boys
> Walker Valley 2, East Hamilton 1: On Monday, Brandon Hall and Brenden Bledsoe scored goals for the Mustangs (8-10-2) in a tough road region semifinal victory.
> Cleveland 5, Bradley Central 0: On Monday, sophomore Rader Brose had a hat trick for the Blue Raiders (14-4-2), who will take on the Mustangs in Wednesday’s Region 3-AAA championship at 7.
Division II-A Boys
> Grace Christian Academy 2, Boyd Buchanan 0: The Buccaneers season ended at 8-5-3 overall with the loss Tuesday.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.