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MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Siegel softball team advances to fifth Spring Fling




Siegel’s Reagan Duran dives safely back to third during their sectional home game against White County Friday night. HARRISON MCCLARYHarrison McClary

Siegel’s Reagan Duran dives safely back to third during their sectional home game against White County Friday night. HARRISON MCCLARYHarrison McClary

Siegel’s softball team smoked White County in its sectional game Friday night with an eight-spot in the opening inning en route to a 13-0 victory to advance to Spring Fling XXVIII.

Siegel pitch Mary Bradley was on the top of her game. She struck out the side in the opening inning. In fact, she was so dominant she made every putout but one — a groundout to second — as she struck out a dozen batters and had two balls hit back to her that she threw for outs.

The offense started early as a 12 batted in the opening inning, with eight scoring on seven hits.

Reagan Duran and Hope Keeton each scored three times. Lauren Lee, playing her last game on the field at Siegel, had a pair of triples and junior and MTSU commit Lexi Medlock had one.

“We have worked so hard this year and we want that ring. That is our goal.” Lee said.

Siegel added four more in the third inning and one more in the fourth to close out the scoring.

“We made some mistakes early like the rundown play in the opening inning that took the wind out of us,” White County coach Jerry Roberts said. “I am proud of my kids. This is the furthest that White County softball has ever gotten.”

Siegel’s Rilie Maupin returns to the dugout after scoring a run against White County during their section home game against White County Friday night. HARRISON MCCLARYHarrison McClary

Siegel’s Rilie Maupin returns to the dugout after scoring a run against White County during their section home game against White County Friday night. HARRISON MCCLARYHarrison McClary

While Siegel had a huge inning and an early lead, but Siegel coach Shawn Middleton wasn’t taking anything for granted.

“I was thinking we needed to be aggressive and keep swinging,” he said. “You get a few hits and bleeders there and it could be 8-4. We needed to keep hitting and running the bases.”

Two years ago in the 2019 Spring Fling, Siegel lost to Jefferson County and fell to the losers’ bracket. Is the coaching staff worried about that happening again because they only have one key pitcher?

“I am not concerned about that,” Middleton said. “If that were to happen, we will cross that bridge when we get to it. The problem with the losers’ bracket is that you are playing back to back.”

Siegel will enter the state tournament at 34-1 and on a 27-game winning streak. It is the Stars’ fifth appearance in the softball state tournament. The last two appearances were runner-up finishes in 2016 and 2019.

Siegel pitcher Mary Bradley congratulated after the first strike of her 12 strikeouts against White County during their sectional home game against White County Friday night. HARRISON MCCLARYHarrison McClary

Siegel pitcher Mary Bradley congratulated after the first strike of her 12 strikeouts against White County during their sectional home game against White County Friday night. HARRISON MCCLARYHarrison McClary

Region foe Coffee County also won at Soddy-Daisy 2-1 to advance to the state tournament.

Middle Tennessee Christian had its most successful season come to an end Thursday , losing two games to host Tipton-Rosemark in a best-of-three series in the DII-A state final eight, falling 12-7 in the opener and 18-2 in the second game.

It was the first time the Lady Cougars advanced to not only the state’s final 12, but reaching the final eight as well.

Siegel’s Lexi Medlock heads for third base during the Lady Stars’ home sectional game against White County Friday night.Harrison McClary

Siegel’s Lexi Medlock heads for third base during the Lady Stars’ home sectional game against White County Friday night.Harrison McClary

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