In May 2018, the Meigs County softball program won its third consecutive state title at the TSSAA Spring Fling, securing the three-peat behind an ace who was among the nation’s best players before going on to star at the University of Tennessee.
In five games at Murfreesboro’s Starplex, senior right-hander Ashley Rogers set a state tournament record with her total of 74 strikeouts while helping the team to the Class 2A championship. A week later, Gatorade would honor her as Tennessee’s softball player of the year for the second straight season.
While this year’s Lady Tigers may not boast a single pitcher of that caliber, they do have a deep staff that appears capable of generating another memorable postseason run.
The power of three in the circle has produced outstanding results this spring, when seniors Lainey Fitzgerald and Sierra Howard and freshman Sadie Scott have combined for five no-hitters and on a dozen occasions held opposing lineups to two hits or less. In all, Meigs County has allowed only 40 runs this year — not much more than the total number of home runs the Lady Tigers have hit (37) — while compiling a 27-2 record, with the losses to Alcoa and Soddy Daisy.
“These girls came and saw Ashley pitch when she was here, and they have looked up to her,” coach Jeff Davis said. “Getting to follow her career along with what she did at Tennessee has a lot to do with their drive to be great. All three of them are outstanding pitchers who we are not afraid to put in against anybody. We always have someone to throw out there, and their arms are always fresh.”