TSSAA Spring Fling: Columbia Academy softball riding ace Brittany Adair through postseason

Luis Torres
Nashville Tennessean

MURFREESBORO — A smile flashed across the face of Columbia Academy softball coach Seth Anderson. 

Anderson was asked a question about his ace pitcher Brittany Adair. How confident is he when she takes the ball and gets into the pitcher's circle? 

He hasn't seen many come through his five years as the Lady Bulldogs' coach like her. 

"When she's pitching, I feel good," Anderson said. "If we get her the lead, I feel really good about our chances no matter who we are playing against."

Adair, a senior and North Alabama signee, throws her fastball and riseball in the 66-67 mph range.

Columbia Academy softball pitcher Brittany Adair. Adair pitched a complete game, striking out 11 Cascade batters on Tuesday.

She lets out an audible grunt after each pitch and slaps her glove on her left thigh as she lets go. Most of the time, when the ball reaches the plate, an opposing hitter is already late on her swing.

It was like that on Tuesday in Columbia Academy's 3-2 win over Cascade in the opening round of the TSSAA Class A state tournament. Adair struck out 11 batters in a complete game. 

However, she had to work on her mental makeup when she first started pitching as a sophomore. During one of her first outings, she was nervous and could not command her pitches. 

"It was nerve-wracking my first game," Adair recalled. "I was like 'Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, so many people here.'

"I feel like I'm more mentally ready and more prepared than two years ago," Adair said.  "I've gotten to the point where I can throw a pitch (and) if I miss my spot, I know my team has my back."

Anderson's plan is to continue to throw her out in the circle as long as the Lady Bulldogs continue their trek toward a state championship. 

"I'm just trying to enjoy these last (few) games with her," Anderson said.  "I'll miss her a lot, but I look forward to seeing what she can do at next level because she's got a bright future."

Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @LFTorresIII.

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