'Pack expects major return by Blackburn
Many people across the state thought Greenbrier would have a down season after the graduation of Kristan Glover.
Greenbrier softball player Tiffany Blackburn waits for the pitch during practice. The junior is a top player this year; coach Garrett Black says she could be one of the highest-recruited players the team has had.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The dominating pitcher helped lead the Wolfpack to the 2004 Class AAAA state fastpitch title.
But the dropoff probably won't come.
Greenbrier now boasts, arguably, the state's best hitter - the Kristan Glover of offense, so to speak.
Third baseman Tiffany Blackburn terrorized pitchers all season last year.
Now a junior, she hit a state-high .509 as a sophomore and was named all-state by the coaches. She hit three home runs and added a team-high 38 RBI.
"She is the most dangerous hitter in the state," coach Garrett Black said. "She has the potential to be as good as any player that has come through the program."
Blackburn has already started where she left off last season, leading the Wolfpack to a 5-0 start this season and winning in the Madison County Leadoff Classic.
"Everybody has to step up this year for us," she said. "That was a great start to the season, but we have a long way to go."
It will be important for Blackburn to keep up the good play this season while colleges start to pay attention. Blackburn said she doesn't have favorites but likes the idea of possibly reuniting with Glover at Tennessee Tech.
"She could be our biggest recruit ever here," Black said. "She has good size and could be a Division I prospect."
Blackburn also stars on the basketball team, which made its first playoff appearance last season before losing to Westside-Macon in the Elite Eight.
A 3-point specialist, Blackburn said she has used the basketball team's surprising performance as motivation for this season.
"Even though people didn't expect much, we still went out and did well," she said. "I think some of the people felt the same way about our softball team this year. But they will be wrong."