MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The hardware with the gold letters reading "State Champions" will find a prominent place among the Baylor softball program's already impressive collection. But the small cedar carvings - four-inch miniature bats - will be just as cherished for each of the Lady Raiders who battled back to claim a 4-3, 10-inning win over rival GPS for their fourth straight Division II-AA state title Thursday night.
For years Baylor coach Kelli Smith's father Don Howard would whittle small chunks of cedar into miniature bats, either at his shop at home or sometimes as he watched the games from the stands, and would hand them to players after big wins. But Howard, better known around numerous ballparks simply as "Pops," died in March, and as his family rummaged through his shop they found a bag with the last of the bats he had made.
Moments after hoisting the state championship trophy, Baylor's players were each given a mini bat by their coach.
"This was for Pops," Smith said as her voice broke with emotion. "He loved these girls and they all loved him and dedicated this season to his memory. He would have been really proud of the way they fought tonight.
"We always preach to never quit, and that's what makes this one even more special. Just the way we had so many kids step up and contribute to this one. This feeling never gets old."
It was the fifth straight season, and eighth in the last nine years, that the two longtime rivals have met with the state title on the line. In typical Baylor/GPS fashion, they traded momentum-shifting plays in dramatic fashion right up to the very end.
With two out, the bases loaded and facing a full count, Baylor sophomore Macy Ann McKnight fouled off two pitches before watching as ball four crossed the plate low, allowing the winning run to trot home.
"I was just looking at every pitch as it came out of her hand before I decided what to do, and that one didn't look good to me so I just watched it go by and waited to hear the call," said McKnight, who leaped into the air and began pumping her fist and yelling on her way to first base. "This was for Mr. Howard. We know he's looking down on us and is very proud."
GPS scored a run in the fifth to even the game and twice took the lead with a run in both the top of the seventh and ninth. But Baylor answered each time, forcing extra innings on Emily Rye's RBI single with two out in the seventh and again extending the game with a run in the ninth.
"I hate to lose a state championship like that," said Bruisers coach Susan Crownover. "We had a lot of young kids getting after it and really battling, but there are no moral victories. I hate it had to end like that, especially after the way Shelby (Walters) pitched and fought all night."
In Division II-A, Silverdale Baptist Academy forced a deciding championship game with a 3-1 win over Tipton-Rosemark Thursday evening.
Kaili Phillips, the Lady Seahawks' University of Tennessee signee, was ejected from the first inning for what the umpire deemed to be "malicious contact" (running over the catcher). She will also have to sit out today's winner-take-all rematch.
Silverdale Baptist (29-7) scored three runs in the fourth and Maddie Tankersly threw a three-hitter. McKenzie Manning's double was one of three run-scoring hits in the fourth, along with Skylar Sherdan and Bentlee Stiner RBI singles.
After losing their tournament opener to Tipton-Rosemark, the Lady Seahawks have rallied for three straight wins and will now face the Lady Rebels (27-9) today at 11.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or (423) 757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.
