EAGLEVILLE -- "This one was for Courtney."

Viqueen Meaghan Therrien applies a tag on MTC's Danielle Varbanoff at third base. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Community coach Allison Layne said it best as her group of young ladies took it upon themselves to take to the diamond with a heavy heart for a teammate and friend as the Viqueens battled Middle Tennessee Christian in the losers' bracket of the District 9-A tournament.

Community freshman infielder Courtney Vassar sadly had her season end prematurely during a collision on Monday night against top seeded Forrest. Tuesday afternoon she underwent surgery in Franklin for over two hours, having nine screws and a plate inserted into her leg.

Everyone on the Community roster inked something on their arms whether it was 'CV' or '8' or both.

The Viqueens parlayed the emotion and spirit into a 9-1 win over the Lady Cougars to keep their season alive.

"It shows that we're all in it together," Layne said. "Having Courtney gone is a big blow, but the girls talked constantly this whole game about Courtney and how much she means to the team. It was very inspirational."

They now face Boyd Christian this afternoon at 5 back at Eagleville. If they win, they turn around and play Cascade in the losers' bracket final immediately afterwards.

"We've got to come in and prepare and be ready to hit the ball when it comes in across the plate," Layne said. "We know (Boyd Christian pitcher Cassie Wanamaker) is going to come in and throw strikes. So, we've got to get up there ready to hit the ball."

Meaghan Therrien made her presence felt early and often for the Viqueens, rocketing a leadoff double in the bottom of the first.

"(Therrien)'s been hitting the ball really well the last couple of games and really doing a good job over there on third for her to be playing on short notice," Layne said.

Ali Vincent's single four pitches later plated Therrien with the game's first run.

Katie Dunn reached via error in Middle Tennessee Christian's next trip to the plate. She advanced to third and scored on wild pitches to tie the game at 1-all.

Instead of rolling over against a team that swept them during the regular season, the Viqueens (8-10) rallied in the third. Once again, the fire starter was Therrien, who singled. A Vincent double and a single from Amanda Joslyn led to a 3-1 advantage that they never relinquished.

"It feels good to come back and beat them and show them what we're really made of," Layne said.

Joslyn had all the runs she needed and was near-dominant from the bump. She finished with seven strikeouts while giving up but three hits and three walks.

Five hits led to five more scores for the Purple and Gold to give them added insurance in the fourth.

Joslyn was perfect at the plate with four singles. Therrien finished with three hits. Vincent wound up with three knocks as well, including a two-run double to highlight their frenzious fifth.

Marissa Moore took the loss for the Lady Cougars, whose season ends with a record of 8-17.