How coach's unusual approach put Clarksville softball on path to potentially best season ever
MURFREESBORO — The chasm that existed within the minds of Clarksville's softball team prior to the season had everything to do with a lack of confidence.
Clarksville coach Brian Rush had to convince his team it was talented enough to make a deep postseason run and he needed to do it in an unconventional way — for him.
Rush isn't fiery and he rarely raises his voice above an occasional shout but he told his team during the offseason that if there was any player who doubted the potential of this team, she could leave the program.
PREDICTIONS: Predicting TSSAA softball state tournament champions
SOFTBALL: TSSAA softball state tournament 2022 schedule for Spring Fling
BASEBALL: TSSAA baseball state tournament 2022 schedule for Spring Fling
It was an alarming statement, but it worked. His Lady Wildcats (34-10) are two wins away from a Class 4A state championship after Wednesday's 7-3 win against Wilson Central at Starplex at Spring Fling.
"I think we just had to find ourselves," said senior Abby Chappell, who hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning that erased Wilson Central's 2-1 lead. "I think a lot of the girls playing varsity were JV last year and just didn't have that connection with the varsity players. So it took a while for those girls to find themselves."
It's been an unlikely run for this team that will continue against Farragut (41-3-1) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Starplex. Clarksville produced two 39-win teams in the past four years but both teams failed to reach state. Nine seniors departed last year. This Clarksville team has talent but rebuilding was what most expected, not reloading.
"I didn't want them thinking that way," Rush said. "I let them know that our expectations for them won't change. We still expect to be competitive against whoever we play. And it took some time, but these girls took ownership over this season."
Shortstop Aree Collins has seen a significant jump in her teammates' confidence.
TRACK AND FIELD: TSSAA track state championships schedule for Spring Fling
"I mean, even for me, it was a struggle to see what we could be," Collins said. "It's not that we thought we'd be terrible, but we just were trying to find an identity."
It's helped that Clarksville's offense has exploded for 16 runs in two games at state, beating Daniel Boone, 9-4, Tuesday.
"It's just about momentum and building on it after each game," Collins said. "We have a good thing going at the plate right now."
Rush's tough-love approach has Clarksville closing in on its most accomplished postseason in program history. His 2013 team won its first game at state, but was in the consolation bracket by Day 2 and finished third. His 2016 team was in the consolation round after the first game.
"What's great is watching them reach their potential," Rush said. "Wins are great but when you see these girls play the way we know they can, and have fun, it makes all of this worth it."
Want to stay informed on the latest high school and college sports news? A subscription to The Leaf-Chronicle gets you unlimited access to the best information and updates on prep sports, Austin Peay and the ability to tap into over 200 local sites in the USA TODAY Network.
Reach sports writer George Robinson at grobinson@gannett.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: TSSAA softball tournament: Clarksville on path to best season ever
