The defending TSSAA Division II-AA softball state champions have returned to Murfreesboro walking tall and carrying a big stick.
Chattanooga Christian School set a new program record for largest margin of victory at the Spring Fling as Steven Rogers’ team continued to swing hot bats in Tuesday’s 11-2 victory over Baylor at McKnight Park.
Over the last five postseason games, the Lady Chargers have jumped all over their opponents for 60 runs and 65 hits while allowing just seven runs.
“This year we are confident again, maybe a little bit more confident here,” Rogers said. “Our bats have been on fire, and when you have that with Kylie Black’s pitching, you’re hard to beat. Kylie has been able to relax and do her thing. The weight is not all on her shoulders.”
Spring Fling private school softball on May 19, 2026
Last year CCS claimed its first state title with hard-fought wins at the Spring Fling by the scores of 4-2, 8-6, and 3-0. Now, the Lady Chargers (27-8-1) are one win away from having a chance to repeat as state champions. They will play GPS (25-6) in the winners bracket Wednesday at 5 ET at McKnight Park. Meanwhile, Baylor (22-10-2) will face Knoxville Catholic (8-21) in an elimination game at 5 on Wednesday.
Senior leadoff hitter Hannah Smith set the tone once again as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga signee was on base four times and scored three runs. Smith improved her batting average to .570 as her 69th hit of the campaign was a two-run double to center field in the fifth inning.
This is Smith’s fifth year in a row playing in the Spring Fling for the Lady Chargers.
“Hannah is one of the best players I’ve ever seen,” Rogers said. “She is a bulldog at the plate. She’s a really good pitcher and fantastic outfielder (1.000 fielding percentage). If you are starting a team, you can start with a Hannah Smith. We are going to miss her a lot next year. She’s a great leader and sets the tone for every game.”
(SIGN UP: Get the daily sports newsletter in your email box by clicking here)
Both teams traded big blows in the first inning as CCS sophomore Kenzie Knox hit a bases-clearing double to begin her four-RBI day. Meanwhile, Baylor junior Amiya Leach hammered a two-run, line-drive home run to cut the Lady Red Raider deficit to 3-2 early.
The Lady Chargers used a two-out, two-run double by Ella Claire Chaffin in the fourth inning for a 6-2 lead.
CCS was also sparked by Millie Fox, who had a pair of hits and runs scored to go along with a walk and an RBI, while Neely Fillman also scored two runs.
Black only allowed three hits in the victory, as the lefty struck out eight and showcased a tough arsenal with her rise ball, changeup, curveball and screwball.
“This week is all about staying present in the moment,” Smith said. “With this being my last Spring Fling, I do want to go out with a bang. But what is most important about this week is building relationships with my teammates and just leaving our mark on the field every chance we get. I’ve had a great time being a part of this program since eighth grade along with girls like Nyla and Neely. We’ve put in so much work while remaining grounded and disciplined.”
› GPS 9, Knoxville Catholic 0: The Bruisers were led by freshman ace Sky Marshall, who threw a complete-game shutout with 12 strikeouts while throwing 67 of her 98 pitches for strikes.
Eighth grader Abby Lewis drove in a pair of runs as a part of her multi-hit performance, while junior Jayla Gladden had a pair of hits and stolen bases while driving in and scoring a run. Aaidyn Lawrence also scored two runs and had a stolen base, with Addi Smith adding an RBI triple.
GPS scored three runs in the third and six more in the fifth.
“The girls have really come together and are fighting for each other,” Bruisers head coach London Cornelius said. “They want to win state just as badly as anybody. Sky and Sydney (Lawson) were a great battery today and really worked off each other, and the defense also had Sky’s back. They all played as one.”
(READ MORE: GPS ace Marshall powers Bruisers to Spring Fling)
DIVISION II-A
› Friendship Christian 13, Boyd Buchanan 3 (five innings): Junior Ella Meade went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored, while Kinley Bates and Mercedes Smith also doubled in the defeat for the Lady Bucs. Friendship Christian exploded for 16 hits and scored eight runs in the fifth inning to run-rule its way to victory.
The Lady Buccaneers (32-6) will face University School of Jackson (27-5-1) in an elimination game Wednesday at 5 at McKnight Field.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.