While Sale Creek’s softball program will not come close to its 36-win mark of a season ago, those remaining from the 2018 Class A state runners-up feel this could be the year they accomplish a first in school history.
“I think these girls are very capable of going to Murfreesboro in a couple of weeks and winning the whole thing,” said veteran coach Clifford Kirk, who has a collection of state titles from his previous schools. “This group only graduated one last year and is peaking right now. They have played a lot of ball and don’t get upset too much.”
Taking a challenge to heart this season, Sale Creek senior Hannah Hall is one of many coming on at the right time.
Former leadoff batter Hall’s switch to the five spot in the lineup has worked wonders. She smacked three hits to help the Lady Panthers win their second straight District 4-A championship with an 8-0 shutout of Tellico Plains at home Monday night.
Hall jump-started a thunderous fifth inning at the plate as she tripled to the right-center gap and was immediately followed by senior Kristen Sharp’s double and a two-run shot over the left-center fence by sophomore Allison Smith.