GPS competed in a softball tournament on a Friday, so all coach Susan Crownover was looking for was the usual.
For whatever reason, the Bruisers under Crownover’s guidance have been notoriously fast starters in regular-season tournaments — in town or otherwise — and Baylor’s Hits for Hope tournament at Warner Park was no different. GPS was the only team to go 2-0 in the first day of play, defeating both Central and Sale Creek 6-0 in six innings.
“I think they get out of class on Friday, take a deep breath and they’re ready to go,” Crownover said. “That tells you something. If we did that all the time, we’d be in good shape.”
The tournament continues today with pool play resuming at 9 a.m. Teams will be seeded according to pool-play records for single-elimination beginning at 2 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for 6:30.
Both Bruisers pitchers, Madi Stanley against the Lady Purple Pounders and Shelby Walters against the Lady Panthers, were plenty stingy. Stanley allowed one hit and had six strikeouts and Walters gave up two hits and struck out eight.