One run makes Huskies state champions
VERO BEACH — It was only a matter of time before Hagerty found a way to get it done at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach on Thursday, just as the Huskies had done a day earlier.
After loading the bases twice without breaking through, Hagerty finally scored a run when it needed it most to claim the Class 8A softball state championship with a 1-0 victory over Orange Park Oakleaf (29-3).
Taylor Krapf singled down the third-base line when the ball bounced off the bag with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to allow pinch-runner Olivia Lipari to break a scoreless tie for Hagerty (27-5).
Oakleaf, which saw a 21-game winning streak snapped, put the tying run at third in the bottom of the final inning, but Hagerty’s Tyler Miller fielded a grounder and made a throw to Gabi Mathre at first for the final out of the game.
“After not having the success [at state] in previous years, it really brings things to light with how hard it is to get here,” Hagerty coach David Stone said. “You really appreciate it when [the medals] are hanging over your neck.”
Hagerty lost in a statetitle game in 2014 and a state semifinal in 2015.
The Huskies, ranked No. 2 in the Sentinel Super Six area rankings, were impressive again in the field and active at the plate while recording nine hits and stranding 13 runners.
Krapf’s single made the difference.
“I just knew that we had runners in scoring position and that I had to do whatever it took to Krapf said.
Mathre and winning pitcher Ashley Worrell both finished with three hits. Miller went 2-for-3 for Hagerty.
Worrell, who had two complete-game shutouts in two days in the final four, struck out five and allowed just four hits and no walks. She retired 10 batters in a row to start the game.
“There are no words to describe it,” Worrell said of winning a state title. “This is the one goal I’ve had for all of my four years here, and I finally accomplished it as a senior.”
The Huskies advanced to the title game by winning 1-0 vs. Cooper City when pinch-runner Josie Ormsby scored in the bottom of the seventh. score them,”