MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Sometimes the simplest advice is best. During a timeout, after her team had loaded the bases on three Briarcrest Christian errors, GPS softball coach Susan Crownover stepped toward Haley Smith.
“Hit the yellow thing, and I mean hit it hard,” Crownover instructed her junior catcher, who was next up to bat in a scoreless fourth inning.
Two pitches later Smith blasted the yellow ball high over the center-field fence to kickstart the Bruisers offense in what became a 10-0 Division II-AA state-tournament victory at the Murfreesboro Sports Complex.
GPS’ Shelby Walters pitches against Baylor Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at GPS.“I got a good pitch to hit,” said Smith, who finished 3-for-3 with five RBIs, including her first career grand slam. “I was just looking to make good connection and hit a line drive. It felt great rounding the bases and seeing my teammates waiting for me at the plate.”
With the win the Bruisers earned an off day and will face the winner of Baylor’s game today against St. Benedict on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. EDT.
GPS junior pitcher Shelby Walters carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, when Briarcrest’s Evyn Graham hit a triple. Walters finished with a one-hitter, striking out 11, and was 2-for-4 at the plate.
Hannah Kincer followed Smith’s homer with a solo shot as the Bruisers (21-6) scored seven runs in the fourth inning.
“We were struggling early on because we couldn’t hit the riseball,” said Crownover, whose team left 11 runners stranded. “We had chances, but we kept swinging at that pitch and couldn’t hit it.
“The home run was the difference in the game. Those things are contagious, and that one changed the whole complexion. You could see our players’ body language change. We seemed to be playing tight, but we loosened up real quick after Haley’s home run. It’s always good to get that first one out of the way, and now we have a day to rest.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.
GPS softball coach Susan Crownover, right, likes the fact that this year’s young team — there are no upperclassmen on the roster — stays loose during games. The Bruisers, who are 18-10, host Pope John Paul II at 5:30 p.m. today.