Dobyns-Bennett shuts out Farragut to clinch first state berth

Dobyns-Bennett head coach Andy Hubbard said he was surprised he didn’t have tears flowing as well. He talked about the week’s run through the regional and sectional rounds where the Lady Indians routed their opponents by a combined 25-0 score.

“They’ve played hard and fought the last three games,” Hubbard said. “When you play three games and don’t give up a run, it’s hard to lose. We played great defense and hit it hard. I kept telling Coach (Mike) Sweeney that I think we’re peaking.

“This is my 20th year here as an assistant with Coach (Jerry) Higgins and now head coach. You keep working on it every year, hoping and praying. This group is special, great kids, great work ethic and they can hit it.”

Tipton can sure hurl it as well. She finished with seven strikeouts and didn’t give up a single walk in going the distance. She gave up a pair of singles in both the fourth and fifth innings, but quickly closed down the threats. Tipton talked about the team finally meeting their long-time goal her senior year.

“It’s a big deal for more than just we’re going to state,” Tipton said, fighting back tears. “It shows this team didn’t quit. There are a lot of teams with seniors who are ready to graduate and move on with their plans. Even though seven of us know what our plans are for the future, we knew making it to the state was more important.{span}”{/span}

As their head coach alluded to, the Lady Indians showed plenty of power with their bats. Hailey Porter got things started with a lead-off double to start the game and later blasted a two-run home run over the left field fence.

Porter admitted to being a little aggravated after being called for interference when she caught a pop-up in the batter’s box. After stepping up to the plate, her mighty swing carried the ball well beyond the 200-feet sign on the outfield wall. She finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

“I had no idea that was a rule until then,” Porter said. “I went up there a little upset because I felt Reagan (Hollowell) was going to do something real good that at-bat. Before that, Julianne was like, ‘Hey, can we get a couple more for run support.’ It was a hack, but I had a pretty good swing on it and it felt great coming off the bat.”

Catie Zani produced an RBI ground out in the first inning to score Porter and Riley McMillan. Claudia Maness reached base three times and scored courtesy of Porter’s two-run blast.

In addition, Allie McConnelee continued her blistering streak at the plate. She finished 3-for-3 on the evening, which included launching a solo home run over left field to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning.

“We’ve been so hot with the bats lately,” McConnelee said. “It was hard for me to lead off with nobody on. I battled in that count, down 0-2, but I came back and smashed it. I think we’re going to go to state and dominate. I don’t think we’re going to give up at all.”