MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Considering the obstacles she has already faced in her young life, coming to the plate with her team needing a clutch hit in its softball state tournament opener was no big deal for Regan Rowan.
The Soddy Daisy High School senior, who has overcome shoulder surgery — which cost her all of one season — and the death of her mother two years ago, helped lead her team to a dramatic 5-4 win over Creek Wood in Tuesday’s opening round of the Class 3A state tourney Tuesday.
“Her personality has always been someone who isn’t afraid to fight,” Lady Trojans coach Kelsey Nunley-Moore said. “She’s been a big reason why we’ve gotten to Murfreesboro the last three years. She has a strong mound presence and you can see everybody follows that lead when you have a player who carries herself with that kind of competitive fight. The rest of the team feeds off of that.”
After Creek Wood had taken a two-run lead with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh, the Lady Trojans rallied to score three of their own in the home half for the win.
Skylar Gooden singled and stole second to begin the inning and Lilyana Blaylock followed with a base hit. Abigail Faires then cut the deficit to one run with an RBI single before Rowan, one of only two seniors on the team, drilled a double that plated the tying and game-winning runs.
“When I lost my mom it sort of pushed me as a person to realize you only live once, so do your best at everything you do every day,” said Rowan, who found out her mother passed away while playing in a summer league game out of town. She chose to continue playing that day, pitching two games before returning home.
“When I got that call, I cried all day but I also knew my mom always wanted me to do my best, so I knew she would’ve wanted me to stay and push through it.
“Now this is my last chance to play in the state tournament and I didn’t want to just be happy to be here. I want to help us win it all this time.”
Rowan, who will continue her playing career at Carson Newman, went 3-for-4 at the plate and also pitched all seven innings, scattering four hits and striking out five for the win.
Soddy Daisy, which is looking to win its first state title since 2012, advances to face Gibbs Wednesday at 2 p.m. A win in that matchup would give the Lady Trojans the rest of the day off.
Division II-AA
Baylor 8, Chattanooga Christian 4: Looking to claim their ninth straight state title, the Lady Red Raiders needed a six-run fourth inning to break a tie and move into the winners bracket. Five players had at least one RBI, led by Riley Oleksik’s three as Baylor pounded out 13 hits, including three each by Addi Yates and Kaylee Snyder.
Baylor (26-6-1) will take on St. Benedict (32-1) Wednesday, while CCS will face CPA in an elimination game.
Division II-A
Silverdale Baptist 7, Lakeway Christian 1: Last year’s state champion had little problem with its first opponent as Ella Cunningham went the distance, allowing four hits while striking out 14.
The Lady Seahawks (48-3) scored three runs in the first inning and added two more in the second, which proved to be more than enough. Kennedy Stinson led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Silverdale will face University School of Jackson Wednesday at 4:30
Class 2A
Meigs County 14, Riverside 1: The Lady Tigers (31-2) pounded out 13 hits, scoring five runs in the third inning and nine more in the seventh to advance. Kylee Hitson had a home run, double and seven RBIs, Lainey Goforth drove in three and Lainey Fitzgerald went 2-for-3 with a homer, two RBIs and also pitched all seven innings, giving up just one hit and striking out nine.
Class 4A
Dobyns-Bennett 4, Walker Valley 0: The Lady Mustangs managed to collect five hits, but made three errors and will face Arlington Wednesday at 11 in an elimination game.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com.