By DAN COOLEY 

Special to the Virginian-Pilot

CHESAPEAKE

For the Greenbrier Christian softball team, it was better late than never.

Clinging to a one-run lead on just four hits after four innings, the Gators erupted for three runs in the bottom of the fifth and pulled away to a 6-1 win over Nansemond-Suffolk AcademyFriday in the TCIS championship game Friday at Greenbrier.

It was the seventh consecutive conference tournament title for Greenbrier (25-1).

“Their pitcher had had a little trouble in the last inning with two walks, so I talked to the girls about being more patient at the plate and wait for their pitch,” said Gators coach Dan Moore.

Victoria Barrett provided the big hit, a two-out, two-run single.

Gators pitcher Brittany Lane, now 24-1 on the season, took it from there, throwing a one-hitter and striking out 13.

But she did have a few anxious moments, though. With her team leading 2-0, Lane surrendered a solo home run to the Saints’ Brittany Wilkins in the top of the fourth, Wilkins’ third home run in the last two tournament games.

The homer accounted for the first earned run Lane has given up in two seasons in TCIS games.

“After that home run, I was ready to go,” Lane said. “I was more confident in my pitching then, because I knew I had to buckle down.”

Lane struck out eight batters over the final three innings, while her teammates provided her with all the run support she needed.

Lane, Kayla Fussell and Julie Hewitt paced the nine-hit Gators attack with two hits each, with Fussell contributing a triple.