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TSSAA softball: Springfield stays relaxed in return to state tournament





Springfield head coach Daniel Owsley gives Elaina Goodfred a high-five as she rounds third.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield head coach Daniel Owsley gives Elaina Goodfred a high-five as she rounds third.JOEL CLINGER

MURFREESBORO – With Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Coffee County, Springfield made its triumphant return to the biggest stage in Tennessee high school softball.

The Yellow Jackets rode Elaina Goodfred’s go-ahead home run from the fourth inning on to win against last spring’s AAA runner-up in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament.

Their reward? Facing three-loss Farragut, the reigning AAA champion, Wednesday morning.

How are the Jackets responding to their brutal side of the bracket?

“We’ve had fun all day,” Springfield coach Daniel Owsley said. “They talked a Firehouse Subs (employee) into giving them a bucket. They had to do a cheer in the Firehouse Subs, and they did it. They’re just loose.”

Staying calm seems to be the key for Springfield (30-4) this time around.

The Jackets, winners of 19 straight games, let nerves get the best of them in their last trip to Murfreesboro in 2019. They won their first game against Hardin County before dropping consecutive contests en route to elimination.

Springfield's Lauren Nicholson is welcomed to home plate by her team after hitting a solo home run in the first inning Tuesday against Coffee County.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Lauren Nicholson is welcomed to home plate by her team after hitting a solo home run in the first inning Tuesday against Coffee County.JOEL CLINGER

As freshmen, Trevecca signees Brie Asmondy and Sarah Nicholson saw playing time against Hardin County Siegel and Knoxville Halls. The former struck out eight Coffee County batters across seven innings of three-hit ball, while Nicholson went 1-for-3 in the leadoff spot.

Still, Springfield found itself tied 1-1 with the Raiders (24-15) entering the bottom of the fourth inning. That’s when Goodfred, a junior, launched the second pitch she saw far beyond the centerfield fence.

“I think we needed a step and a push for us to think that we’ve got this,” said Goodfred, who also gave the Jackets an insurance run with a sixth-inning infield hit. “It helps us with our confidence.

“We just know how good we are, and I think we’re doing our best. We just want to win.”

The at-ease Jackets collected four runs on eight hits Tuesday night, while Asmondy pitched a no-hitter in the final five innings.

Springfield's Katy Fisher runs down the line before the game Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Katy Fisher runs down the line before the game Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Farragut and Springfield face off at Murfreesboro’s Starplex at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, with the winner advancing to Thursday’s slate of games.

“I think the whole key of it is to show up, play ball and see what happens,” Owsley said. “No matter the amount of scouting we do, it boils down to us doing what we do and us doing it well. We did that tonight, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Springfield's Elaina Goodfred rounds second after hitting a home run Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Elaina Goodfred rounds second after hitting a home run Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County's Olivia Evans throws the ball to the infield.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County’s Olivia Evans throws the ball to the infield.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Brie Asmondy hurls a pitch late in the game Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Brie Asmondy hurls a pitch late in the game Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County students watch the game from the outfield fence.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County students watch the game from the outfield fence.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Graci Lance waits in her defensive stance.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Graci Lance waits in her defensive stance.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Daniel Owsley coaches from third base Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Daniel Owsley coaches from third base Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County's Channah Gannon throws the ball to first base for the out.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County’s Channah Gannon throws the ball to first base for the out.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County's Kaitlyn Davis hurls a pitch Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County’s Kaitlyn Davis hurls a pitch Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Brie Asmondy comes back to the dugout after hitting a single.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Brie Asmondy comes back to the dugout after hitting a single.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County's Brandon McWhorter coaches from third base in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County’s Brandon McWhorter coaches from third base in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Sarah Nicholson tries to make the catch and tag at second base.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Sarah Nicholson tries to make the catch and tag at second base.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Brie Asmondy walks off the field after getting the final out Tuesday against Coffee County.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Brie Asmondy walks off the field after getting the final out Tuesday against Coffee County.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield and Coffee County meet at the pitcher's circle after the game Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield and Coffee County meet at the pitcher’s circle after the game Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Daniel Owsley talks to his team after their first-round victory over Coffee County.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Daniel Owsley talks to his team after their first-round victory over Coffee County.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Brie Asmondy warms up her arm before the game Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Brie Asmondy warms up her arm before the game Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Lauren Nicholson runs through the tunnel after hitting a solo home run in the first inning Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Lauren Nicholson runs through the tunnel after hitting a solo home run in the first inning Tuesday.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield's Katya Trusty tags out Coffee County's Channah Gannon at home.JOEL CLINGER

Springfield’s Katya Trusty tags out Coffee County’s Channah Gannon at home.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County's Jada Bowen lines up at second base.JOEL CLINGER

Coffee County’s Jada Bowen lines up at second base.JOEL CLINGER

 

 

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