Chattanooga Christian snaps GPS win streak with region shutout
Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/The Chattanooga Christian softball team cheers after a homer during the game against GPS on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.
With a pair of state runner-up finishes followed by winning the program’s first TSSAA state softball championship last spring, Chattanooga Christian shows no signs of slowing down.
Five-year varsity starter Nyla Halfacre was one of three Lady Chargers to hit home runs in Thursday’s 5-0 Division II-AA East Region 2 road win over GPS, which came into the game having won 11 straight this season.
Halfacre’s seventh home run over the past two seasons was a line-drive, two-run shot in the sixth that just cleared the centerfield fence as GPS’ Jayla Gladden made a leaping attempt to rob CCS’ star slugger. One batter later, junior Ella Claire Chaffin followed with a bomb to left-center to produce the game’s final outcome.
“My teammates really talk me up a lot and remind me that I am a good hitter,” Halfacre said. “Sometimes I doubt myself, but they are a really big confidence booster for me.
Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/The Chattanooga Christian softball team cheers after a homer during the game against GPS on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/GPS’s Bailey Long (left) catches the softball as Chattanooga Christian’s Millie Fox runs to first base during the game against Chattanooga Christian on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/GPS’s Sky Marshall winds up for a pitch during the game against Chattanooga Christian on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/A GPS softball player swings at a pitch during the game against Chattanooga Christian on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/GPS’s Addison Smith winds up to throw the softball during the game against Chattanooga Christian on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/The Chattanooga Christian softball team cheers after a homer during the game against GPS on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/Chattanooga Christian’s Millie Fox watches GPS pitcher Sky Marshall during the game against GPS on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/Chattanooga Christian’s Millie Fox slides while running during the game against GPS on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/GPS’s Addison Smith throws a pitch during the game against Chattanooga Christian on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/GPS’s Jayla Gladden prepares to catch the softball during the game against Chattanooga Christian on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/Chattanooga Christian’s Kylie Black winds up to throw a pitch during the game against GPS on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.Staff photo by Larry Sullivan II/Chattanooga Christian’s Abby Fillman looks up to catch a flyball during the game against GPS on April 16, 2026. Chattanooga Christian defeated GPS 5-0.
“We all put in so much work and put in the reps that we need, and it shows when we come out here. If we can continue to hit, play good defense, and pitch well, we will be in good shape to go back-to-back (as state champs).”
