Jays Bring Home State Runner-up
Softball Finishes 25-5
by Amber Topil
October 27, 2009
When the Jays were told it was a “close call” if they were getting into state or not, they knew they had a lot to prove. After receiving a wildcard by .003 points over Bennington, the Jays were seeded 4th in the state tournament. This meant that the girls would face the Norris Titans for the third time in one week. Seward took an early lead in the second inning when Amber Topil doubled, and Hannah Mullaly courtesy ran for her. Mullaly found herself diving into home plate, after Shelby Yelden grounded it to the pitcher. Seward shutdown the Norris offense, thanks to Brittany Telecky on the mound; who totaled ten strikeouts. The final score ended up being 3-0 in favor of your Lady Jays, due to a two-run RBI by junior Audrey Barker.
Next at task was first seeded Omaha Skutt. It was a close defensive battle between the two elite squads. However, Seward found themselves on the winning end, since Tatum Peery doubled in the 2nd inning. Once again, Barker came through with a one run single. The one run was just enough to move into the semifinals.
The Jays were excited to play Blair, who were the 2008 state champions. Neither team was planning on going down easy, or early. The game went past the normal seven innings, all the way to the 12th inning. In the top of the inning, Blair managed to squeeze a runner in by two bunts. Jays could not respond in the bottom of the inning, which meant Blair would advance to the championship game.
In order to join Blair, Seward had to defeat Norris one last time, and that is exactly what they did. The Titans took the lead in the third inning, but not for long. A one run single by Topil tied the game. In the next inning, Kelsey Hoehler blasted a ground rule double, which scored two more runs. The Jays held off the Titans in the seventh, allowing one run. The game ended 3-2 in favor of your Lady Jays.
The Jays were now set to play Blair once again. In order to come home as champions, Seward would have to beat Blair twice. Once again, the game was not easy. Both teams were scoreless throughout the first seven innings. Blair took advantage of an error and scored first in the 8th inning. Seward could not respond. This meant the Jays would take home the state runner-up trophy.
This was more than enough for the team. After shedding some tears, the Jays accepted the end of the season, and for seven seniors, the end of a career. No softball team in school history has received such an honor. The team finished the season with a 25-5 record.
