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NORTH JACKSON -- How about a no-hitter to help your team advance to the Division IV softball district championship game?
That's what McDonald senior Bri Callow (1.09 ERA) did on Monday when the Blue Devils defeated Bristol 3-0 in a district semifinal at Jackson-Milton.
" It's a great feeling," Callow said. "I was just out there trying to do everything I could to help my team advance."
Callow has been helping the 19-3 Devils all season. She recorded two perfect games in one week earlier this year and has too many no-hitters to keep track of in her career.
"I'm not sure how many that makes for my career," she said. "My coach might know. It's always awesome to throw a no-hitter. It's a good feeling to do your best. We've had a great season. Everyone is working hard. During tournament time, everybody's play is elevated."
The 15-10 Panthers and junior Jaylyn Mullenax nearly matched McDonald pitch for pitch. Mullenax shut down the Devils, in order, in the fourth and fifth. Sixth-seeded Bristol was no pushover for No. 1 seed McDonald.
"From the beginning of the season until the end, I feel like we've made a lot of improvements," Bristol coach Alisha Kugler said. "The defense is what killed us today. Our pitcher pitched well enough to win. She only gave up one earned run. We just couldn't put the ball in play. It's tough.
"I'm going to miss my two seniors (Brittany Mooney and Brooklyn Mullenax) a lot. They brought leadership and excitement to the team."
McDonald junior shortstop Lucia Wolford brought plenty of excitement to the game. Wolford added an insurance run in the sixth by getting on base with an infield single. Then, she stole second, was bunted over to third, and came home after the catcher threw down to third.
The victory sets up a rematch of the 2019 district championship between McDonald and East Canton at Jackson-Milton high school on Wednesday.
"We beat East Canton my sophomore year," Callow said. "It'll be a nice matchup. It'd be great to do it again."
McDonald coach Michelle Titus never looks too far ahead.
"Bri always does a great job," Titus said. "Like myself, she just goes one batter at a time. She doesn't even pay attention to things like a no-hitter. I'd have to look at the books to see how many no-hitters she has.
"She works and focuses on what is in front of her. Instead of what's behind her. We won with small-ball today. I'm super proud of her and the team."