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Midstate Classic Draws Thousands as Tennessee Softball Shines in Columbia

Issue #383

19 Mar

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

☁️ Columbia’s Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 71 & low of 43 (Wind Advisory From 10AM - 10PM)

🥎 Midstate Classic Draws Thousands as Tennessee Softball Shines in Columbia

🚒 MCFD Battles Difficult House Fire in Mt Pleasant For 3.5 hours

💨 Wind Advisory in Effect Today From 10 AM - 10 PM

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, March 19th

Thursday, March 20th

Friday, March 21st

Saturday, March 22nd

Midstate Classic Draws Thousands as Tennessee Softball Shines in Columbia

Fans decked out in Summitt blue lined the fences at Ridley Sports Complex on Tuesday, showing their support for the Lady Vols. Among the crowd, many wore jerseys with the number 20, a tribute to Columbia native Saviya Morgan, who returned home as a freshman outfielder for Tennessee.

Tennessee (26-4) dominated Eastern Kentucky with an 8-0 win in five innings at the Midstate Classic, an annual tournament hosted by the City of Columbia. This marked the event's 10th year after a cancellation last season. Tennessee’s offense was led by Sophia Nugent, who contributed two home runs and six RBIs against Eastern Kentucky (19-7).

Morgan, a Columbia Central graduate, received a warm welcome when she stepped up to bat. The cheers continued after the game as young softball players eagerly lined up for autographs. Her presence on the field served as an inspiration to local athletes who dream of playing at the college level.

Making an impact in her first season, Morgan has started every game for Tennessee, maintaining a .358 batting average and stealing 17 bases out of 23 attempts. Coaches have praised her ability to quickly apply feedback, a skill that has helped her adjust to the collegiate level with success.

For Morgan’s family, watching her take center stage at the Midstate Classic was an emotional moment, filled with pride.

The day’s event started with a high school rivalry matchup, where Columbia Central defeated Spring Hill 16-0. Columbia State later fell to Calhoun Community College 7-3.

The Midstate Classic was established in 2014 through the efforts of city manager Tony Massey, who previously helped organize a similar event in Bristol. Since its inception, the tournament has consistently drawn around 3,000 fans, making it one of the largest crowds for a college softball game in Tennessee. Columbia remains the only city outside of Knoxville to host the Lady Vols annually, demonstrating the region’s strong support for Tennessee softball.

MCFD Battles Difficult House Fire in Mt Pleasant For 3.5 hours

Click image to see all the dramatic photos…

From Maury County Fire Department’s post…

Monday at 1:43PM MCFD was dispatched on automatic aid to the City of Mt Pleasant for a residential structure fire. Responding units: Rescue 21, Tanker 21, Truck 21, Deputy 20. An additional alarm for air trailer also brought Engine 26 to the scene. 

Units arrived and were assigned vent group and fire attack. Vent group cut two holes, one over the first floor and one over the second floor. Fire attack advanced an 1 3/4” hand line to the second floor before being withdrawn. The incident eventually transitioned to defensive operations due to worsening conditions. Members operated on scene for approximately 3.5 hours. Chief Stewart of Mt Pleasant did an excellent job of commanding a very difficult fire with three separate fire departments on scene. 

Wind Advisory in Effect Today From 10 AM - 10 PM

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Nashville TN

1056 AM CDT Tue Mar 18 2025

Stewart-Montgomery-Robertson-Sumner-Macon-Clay-Pickett-Houston-Humphreys-Dickson-Cheatham-Davidson-Wilson-Trousdale-Smith-

Jackson-Putnam-Overton-Fentress-Perry-Hickman-Lewis-Williamson-Maury-Marshall-Rutherford-Cannon-De Kalb-White-Cumberland-Bedford-

Coffee-Warren-Grundy-Van Buren-Wayne-Lawrence-Giles- Including the cities of Goodlettsville, Smithville, Linden,Nashville, Clarksville, Waynesboro, Dickson, Spencer,Hendersonville, La Vergne, Centerville, Pulaski, Jamestown,Lebanon, Dover, Coalmont, Murfreesboro, Gallatin, Manchester,

Erin, Kingston Springs, Lobelville, South Carthage, Sparta, Livingston, Hartsville, Shelbyville, Lafayette, Lewisburg,Brentwood, Woodbury, Ashland City, New Johnsonville, Waverly,Mount Juliet, Columbia, Clifton, Franklin, Byrdstown, Allardt,Crossville, Altamont, McEwen, McMinnville, Gainesboro, Hohenwald,

Celina, Carthage, Tennessee Ridge, Gordonsville, Tullahoma,Lawrenceburg, Smyrna, Cookeville, and Springfield

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM CDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected.

* WHERE...All of Middle Tennessee.

* WHEN...From 10 AM to 10 PM CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Wednesday, March 19th

Austin Gray, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, March 20th

Rhonda Funk, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Murph Ridge, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, March 21st

Kenny Durham Trio, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Josh Keas, Grinder's Switch Winery, 6-8 PM
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
L'80s Night, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, March 22nd

Band Masters, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 5:30  PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
The Road Crew, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
South Bound Crows, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
Laura Drake, The  Boondox, 8-11 PM

Sunday, March 23rd

Todd Ciprian, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 4-7  PM
Phoenix Rising, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM

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