TSSAA Spring Fling 2019: Kennedy Gillespie's homer gives Forrest softball third state title

MURFREESBORO — Kennedy Gillespie provided the home run.

Forrest's fans brought the confetti for the celebration.

Gillespie, a senior, smacked a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Lady Rockets a 3-1 win over Lexington in the TSSAA Class AA softball state championship Friday at Starplex.

Gillespie, a Bethel signee, and her Lady Rocket teammates were greeted with canisters of confetti following the game, celebrating the program's third softball state title.

"This whole state tournament I've been wanting just base hits — base hits all day," said Gillespie, who has a twin sister and cousin on the team.

"I wasn't doing my best this game. I knew I had to score something."

Gillespie finished the tournament 5-for-12 at the plate with four RBIs. She was 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the championship.

Lauren Gillespie, Kennedy's cousin, picked up the win. She struck out three and didn't walk a batter. She pitched all four games in the state tournament, striking out 14.

Forrest coach Shelby Stinnett said confetti has been frequent at school pep rallies this year and the school's senior class brought it for the championship.

Stinnett has been a part of all three of the Lady Rockets' championships. She was a player on the 2008 Class A championship team and an assistant on the 2015 Class A champion.

"Being here and coaching some of these girls since they were in travel ball and in junior high, I've seen these girls grow into young ladies," said Stinnett, who played at MTSU. "It's great to see that smile and excitement on their face."

What even more special for Stinnett was having her dad, Ricky Stinnett, on the coaching staff with her.

"He's my assistant head coach and my ride or die," Shelby Stinnett said.

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.