Davis, Arterburn powering Jackets through playoffs
Tate Davis' walk-off home run propelled Greer over Lancaster 17-16.
This story originally appeared in the The Greer Citizen on May 10, 2023.
The moment Greer shortstop Tate Davis stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning, she knew exactly what she was going to do.
“I was just waiting for my pitch,” she said. “I knew when I saw it, I was hitting it out.”
With Greer tied at 16 against Lancaster in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs, Davis saw what she wanted right away. She roped the first pitch of her at-bat over the left-field wall to lift her Jackets to a 17-16 walk-off win.
Her teammates mobbed her as she crossed home plate. It hadn’t been easy, but they’d gotten the job done.
“I’ve been talking about it all year, but the character of these young ladies is incredible,” said Greer head coach Greg Miller. “The way they respond to adversity at such a high level. That’s why we’re in the position we’re in now.”
Greer moved on to play Greenwood in the next round on May 4, where the Jackets fought hard but fell 12-6. They run-ruled Pickens 11-1 the next day to stay alive in the playoffs.
Freshman Morgan “Mo” Arterburn pitched a stellar complete game to keep Greer’s hopes alive.
Arterburn has pitched every game for the Jackets through their playoff run so far.
“Mo––she means everything to this team and the girls know that,” Miller said. “Her teammates have her back every night, no matter what. Whether she just walked someone or struck someone out, her teammates are always surrounding her and giving her confidence, which is a big reason why she keeps getting better and better.”
It’s do-or-die for the Jackets in the playoffs from here on out, with each game being an elimination game for Miller’s squad. No matter what happens this postseason, however, Miller said it’s been a luxury to coach this group of girls.
“I’m going to tell this until I can’t tell it anymore,” Miller said. “The character of these young ladies is why we’re still here. They’re tremendous assets not only to us coaches but to their school as well. They want to grow; they want to get better. They carry themselves the way young ladies should, always.”