GREENEVILLE — Once the floodgates opened, they couldn’t be closed.
Smashing 20 hits in Monday night’s Region 1-3A softball semifinal, David Crockett downed the Greeneville Lady Greene Devils, 15-4.
“This is amazing right now,” David Crockett coach Alex Dulaney said. “I believe we have just done something that Crockett hasn’t done in about 30 years. These girls had resolve, finding ways to put up runs. Hats off to Greeneville, they would not go away.”
After both teams traded runs in the second, the Lady Pioneers erupted for five runs in the top of the third. An error and a single started the rally for Crockett before three straight run-scoring hits contributed most of the damage.
Brylee Tullock drove home one on a double, Laney Britton delivered a run-scoring single and Eva Marler had a pair of RBIs on a double. The no-out damage was enough to induce a pitching change, which slowed the Pioneer bats temporarily. However, they did get a one-out single from Chelsea Williams to extend the lead to five.
Tullock shined both at the plate and in the field for Crockett. The shortstop turned a 6-3 double play in the first to thwart any potential early rally for the Lady Greene Devils. She also went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
“Brylee played a phenomenal defensive game,” Dulaney said. “She had a couple of ESPN plays in the 5-6 hole. She is our anchor out here on the defense.”
Madelyn Dulaney excelled at limiting damage for the Lady Pioneers. She went six innings and allowed just three earned runs and struck out seven, despite allowing seven hits and five walks. She also stranded eight baserunners.
The Crockett skipper said that his young southpaw was able to show a lot of resiliency in the outing.
“Especially as a freshman, I have been really proud about what she has been able to do there,” Dulaney said. “Her success as a pitcher involves a lot of spins and locations. And she did well enough tonight. I think she would say she’s probably not happy with her performance, but very happy for what happened for the team.”
Greeneville grabbed some late life in the fifth, scratching across three runs. Lauren Million and Brynlee Jones chipped in RBI singles, and another run scored on a Lady Pioneer error. However, two more runners were left stranded on a strikeout to quell the chance.
The Lady Pioneers methodically added on throughout to expand the advantage. Autumn Wynn hit a solo home run in the fifth and a two-run shot in the seventh, Marler ended up with three RBIs and Crockett claimed another four-run frame in the sixth.
What’s next?
Crockett will travel to Bristol to take on Tennessee High in the Region 1-3A Final on Wednesday. They have also clinched a spot in Friday’s 3A sectional round.
It will be the fifth meeting this season between the Pioneers and the Lady Vikings, with Tennessee High taking all of the first four, most of which in close fashion.
It will be the first sectional appearance for David Crockett since 1992, when the team advanced to the state tournament.