By Michael Lindsay
The defending Class 1A softball state champion Gordonsville Tigerettes (34-1) will have a chance to defend their crown this week in Murfreesboro as they defeated the Whitwell Lady Tigers in Saturday’s Class 1A sectional at Crump Paris Park, 7-0.
“That was a great game,” said Gordonsville head coach Jonathan Bush. “Our hat goes off to coach (Rebecca) Castle at Whitwell; they only had 9 kids and really fought. I’m proud of our girls; it’s good for them to be in a game like this going into the state tournament.”
Gordonsville senior lefty Kailey Plumlee struck out 14 batters while allowing 1 walk and 4 hits in the victory. The University of Tennessee signee helped herself offensively as she went 3-3 at the plate with a three-run homer and a double.
Gordonsville struck early as a Bailey Stewart sacrifice fly and Laura Thompson single scored two runs. Another Stewart sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third gave her team a 3-0 lead entering the fourth.
After a quiet fourth inning, Whitwell put pressure on Gordonsville as they loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fifth inning. Gordonsville kept the Lady Tigers off the scoreboard as Plumlee forced a ground-out followed by two strikeouts to leave the inning unscathed.
“I went out and talked to the girls when they loaded the bases, and Bailey Stewart actually threw out a joke to everybody,” said Bush. “That’s just how this team is. Kailey was able to strike out their girls, and it shows a lot about this team.”
Plumlee wasn’t done there as she stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fifth and sent a three-run home run over the center field wall to extend her team’s lead to 6-0. The Tigerettes added a run in the bottom of the sixth as McKenzie Herron scored via wild pitch to make the final score 7-0.
Saturday’s sectional win was the final home game for seniors Kailey Plumlee, Bailey Stewart and Abby Brinkley.
“What these three seniors have been able to do has been unbelievable,” said Bush. “They’re our pitcher, catcher and center fielder and are three of our top batters.”
Gordonsville’s state tournament berth is the sixth in program history and fourth consecutive as they look to win their fourth state championship. Up first for Gordonsville in the state tournament is Halls (17-13) on Tuesday in Murfreesboro at McKnight Park’s field #1 at 3 p.m.
“We’ll take a little break and come in Monday to get ready to go,” said Bush. “It’s going to be tough and we need to be ready to go.”
