CAMDEN, Tenn. – The Community Viqueens (29-4-2, 8-0) bounced back after the surprising loss in Wednesday’s Region 5-AA Championship Game, punching their third ticket in four years to the Class- AA State Tournament following a 7-0 win at Region 6-AA Champs, Camden Central (12-7) in the State Sectional round on Friday afternoon. 

After suffering a heartbreaking home loss to Cheatham County a year ago in this round in which Viqueen's ace, Annie Prince, lasted just 4.2 innings, Prince ensured that history would not repeat itself, keeping Community’s season alive with a dominant complete-game shutout performance in the circle that saw her give up just two base hits. Of the 21 outs recorded, Prince struck out an impressive 16 batters on 114 pitches, bouncing back after an uncharacteristic performance in the Region 5-AA Championship against Chapel Hill on Wednesday.

For the Lady Lions, Addison Melton got the start, throwing the complete 7.0 innings. Melton gave up seven runs with six earned on 12 hits and four walks while striking out just four batters on 115 pitches. 

To go along with 12 hits – including a trio of doubles – the Viqueens swiped five bags and were hit by two other pitches. In all, the visitors left just six on base compared to the eight left on in the region title game.

Neither team scored in the first two innings until Community broke the stalemate in the top of the third, plating one run to take an early 1-0 lead. The visitors tacked on another run in the fourth, doubling their lead heading into the fifth at 2-0.

The Viqueens’ offense blew the game wide open in the top of the fifth inning after plating three more runs to take a commanding 5-0 lead. After Prince put up another zero in the home half of the fifth, Community tacked on an insurance run in both the sixth and seventh innings to seal the program’s third State Tournament berth in four seasons under head coach Cam Farrell. 

At the plate for Community, Anna Haskins finished 2-4 with a double (7), a run scored, and a stolen base. Mattie Maxey went 2-4 with a double (9) and a run scored with an RBI (30), Taylar Wessner went 1-3 with a walk, a run scored, and a stolen base, and Haylee Webb finished 2-3 with an RBI (21), a HBP, and a stolen base. Carlie Blanton went 1-2 with an RBI (30) and two walks, Kamryn Farrell finished 2-3 with two RBIs (17), and Alana Tate went 2-3 with a double (9), two runs scored, and a stolen base.

Camden’s leadoff batter, Emma Pierce, went 1-2 with a walk while 7-hole hitter, Avery Wright, finished 1-3. Both hits mustered up by the hosts were singles. 

Camden Central’s season comes to a close as District 12-AA and Region 6-AA Champions.

Community keeps its season alive, advancing to the opening round of the Class-AA State Tournament in Murfreesboro where the Viqueens will take on District 3-AA and Region 2-AA Champions, the Kingston Yellowjackets, on Tuesday with first-pitch scheduled for roughly 4:00 p.m.