By Chris Yow

MURFREESBORO — Loretto coach Justin Tidwell says it’s his team’s M.O. to have just one bad inning on defense.

Unfortunately for the Lady Mustangs, that one bad inning was the difference in the opening round of the Class A softball state tournament against Huntland, as the Lady Hornets took home a 3-1 win Tuesday.

Outside of the third inning where the Lady Mustangs gave up three runs on two hits and an error, the first-time state tournament participants played at a state tournament level.

“This being our first time to a softball state tournament, we can’t let everything that is going on around us affect how we play,” Tidwell said. “We have to let the game come to us, have good at-bats and learn from everything.”

The difficulty of having good at-bats increases significantly with Ashtyn Danley in the circle. The Lady Hornet sophomore gave up three hits in a complete-game effort, striking out 11 and walking just two. 

“Their pitcher had some velocity, but we’ve seen velocity before,” Tidwell said. “We just can’t be afraid to get in the box and hit.”

Darby Traglia learned she had a possible advantage and laid down a bunt before beating the throw to first in the top of the seventh inning with one out to give her team some life. She, along with Briley Dover and Jenny Clifton had the only hits of the game for Loretto.

Traglia eventually came around to score on an error that allowed Emily Cozart to reach base as well. 

The game ended, however, when courtesy runner Jerica Ray was called out after being tagged on the chest attempting to steal second base. 

Loretto now drops to the losers bracket, but Tidwell said his team isn’t backing down and won’t be happy with just making the state tournament.

“We just have to play with confidence. They have to understand how to handle the situation and handle the moment,” he said.