MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Chattanooga Christian’s first trip to a high school softball state tournament appeared as if it might get off to a good start, but it didn’t.

The Lady Chargers couldn’t cash in a couple of early scoring opportunities, but Lexington managed to take advantage of a couple of late ones and beat CCS 4-1 in a first-round Class AA game Tuesday at Starplex No. 2.

CCS (22-9) will play Westview today at 11 a.m. EDT in a losers-bracket game.

The Lady Chargers loaded the bases in the first inning on three walks, but not until two were out. They advanced runners to second and third in the third, again with two out.

Meanwhile, CCS pitcher Jennifer Long was busy getting Lexington nine up, nine down.

“I was encouraged we had people on base in the first inning,” CCS coach Emily Pensinger said. “It looked like chances were good that we might could score throughout the game. There were a couple of situations where we had opportunities; we just couldn’t make it happen.”

Lexington (32-5) broke through in the fourth inning on Alex Weatherly’s sacrifice fly to right. She also contributed a single during a three-run seventh that included an error, a double steal and two more runs being driven in with outs.

The Lady Chargers’ run came in the bottom of the seventh. Marie Beaty ended up on a second on a hit and an error, and Chelsea Sims singled her in.

“We’ve got to regroup quickly,” Pensinger said. “We got to see the team we’re going to play. I think we feel pretty good about it.”

LEXINGTON 4, CHATTANOOGA CHRISTIAN 1

Lexington 000 100 3 — 4 4 0

CCS 000 000 1 — 1 3 2

WP: Shelese Arnold, 3-hitter, 6 Ks. LP: Jennifer Long, 3 Ks, 0 BB. Highlights: Alex Weatherly, Niya Sparks, Hannah Davis RBI each (L); Chelsea Sims 1B, RBI; Marie Beaty 1B, run (CCS). Records: Lexington 32-5; CCS 22-9.