MURFREESBORO, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Rossview Hawks traveled to McKnight Park for the third game of their TSSAA State Tournament run in an elimination game against Page High School on Thursday. Page was able to score a few timely runs to build a lead, and the Hawks season came to an end with a 5-3 loss.
The Patriots struck first, with an RBI double scoring a runner in the bottom of the first inning. The Hawks responded in the top of the third with a three run inning, which was capped off by center fielder Mackenzie Quick stealing home to extend the lead. Senior pitchers Avery Rauscher and Madelyn Fillers both had solid outings in the circle for the Hawks, but the Patriots were able to string together one-run innings consistently. The Hawks rallied in the top of the seventh with their season on the line, with a Kennedy Scott double to lead it off, but were unable to overcome the lead.
“This program has meant everything to me,” said Rauscher. “It’s been a positive environment for me for the last four years, and I hope we built a foundation for our underclassmen to be like us, and be better. We’ve built a sisterhood with this team, and it’s going to be really hard to leave this behind.”
The Hawks were an underdog all year, being a four seed in their own district, not winning their district or region tournament, but somehow finding a way to keep surviving and make it all the way to state, winning a game while there.
For Hawks head coach Travis Gillette, this is a season he will never forget. “The season has been stunning, I couldn’t ask for anything more from these girls,” said Gillette. “At the end of the day, these girls grew so much over this year, they overcame so much adversity, and pulled it together when it mattered most. They played for each other, and they made this a fantastic year. I could not be more proud of my team.”
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