No one wanted another 13-inning playoff marathon. Their nerves couldn't take it.
So the Crest High Lady Chargers went and took care of business early in their third-round State 3A softball engagement with visiting Erwin High Tuesday. Crest bunched five hits for five runs in the second inning and that was all senior right-hander Bailey Smith needed for support as the Big South Conference champs rolled to a 5-0 triumph.
The victory means Crest (22-1) will host either Franklin or Enka Friday at 5 p.m. in the sectional finals.
Smith turned in another shutout effort on the mound against Erwin (12-15). She allowed only two hits and struck out 15.
"I've had Bailey for four years now and she's always going to give it all she's got," said Crest coach Greg Earl. "In my mind, she's always 'on' when she pitches."
The big early outburst took the heat off Smith and the Charger defense.
"Our defense came through for us again," Earl said. "They got runners in scoring position on a couple of times but we got'em out."
Gracie Pitchford drew a walk to start Crest's big inning. Dakota Keller beat out a bunt before a groundout moved the runners to second and third. That brought junior leftfielder Brooke Powell up to bat. She lined an 0-2 pitch between the third baseman and shortstop to give Crest a 2-0 edge.
"I was just thinking, we've got runners on so it's up to me to bring them in," said Powell. "Between short and third is my spot. When I've gotten big hits, that's where they've gone."
Crest wasn't finished. The rally continued as Hannah Thompson was safe on an infield grounder and Katelyn Spangler hit safely to load the bases. A runner scored on Lou Bankhead's infield out, then a pair scored when Amanda Baker's hot grounder to short was mishandled.
Crest got only one hit -- a double by Baker -- the rest of the way off Erwin pitcher Allison Dowdle but the damage had been done.
The Lady Chargers are now just one win away from going to be a part of the 3A final four.
"I think the reason we're doing so well is were all like family, like sisters," said Powell."We get along so well and play really well together. If someone does make an error, we're all there to pick them up."
