MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Neither Baylor nor Pope John Paul II did a lot to speed up play in the Thursday’s winners-bracket final in the Division II-AA high school softball state tournament. But the Lady Red Raiders’ speed did a lot to influence the outcome.
Baylor (37-3) will now go for its fourth consecutive state title after beating the Lady Knights 10-2.
The Lady Raiders again will play Chattanooga rival Girls Preparatory School, which beat Pope John Paul II in the losers-brackt final Thursday evening.
“We’ve worked hard to get to this point,” Baylor coach Kelli Smith said. “We’ve given ourselves the opportunity to play for a state championship. We’re excited to be in this position.”
Precious Birdsong led off for Baylor with an infield single, and although she didn’t score after she stole second, there were signs of things to come. Birdsong, who ended up 3-for-3, had a bunt single in the Lady Raiders’ four-run third inning and another in their five-run fifth.