The West Central Trojans caped off their perfect season with a 4-0 win over the Tea Area Titans on Saturday in Aberdeen to capture their first ever ‘sanctioned’ state softball title.
“It sounds amazing,” said West Central head softball coach Heather Harden. “It hasn’t sunk in yet and wow Tea brought us a game and we really appreciated it.”
The Trojans not only had to battle a tough Titans squad in one of their closest match ups of the season, but they also had to battle Mother Nature. Lighting in the area caused a weather delay in the middle of the first inning of the title game.
“We were jamming in the bus and making sure we were all focused and we were ready for this game” explained Kayle Olson, senior, West Central. “I think we all knew that we had each other’s backs and we had to be to win this game.”
It was Olson who helped get the Trojans on the board first. She put down a sacrifice bunt, bringing home the opening run.
The Trojans would get a great pitching performance from Junior Caitlyn Hoff. In the seven innings pitched, she struck out nine and allowed just four Titan hits.
“That’s the thing about Kat she just brings a calm to the mound and works through it. She doesn’t get flustered, and she keeps digging and never gives up,” said Harden.
The Trojans would add to their lead in the top of the 6th when Junior Emillee Stofferahn sent a ball over the center field fence, a two run blast, that made it a 4-0 game.
“You know I have been waiting my whole life for this and it just happened to be my senior year, so of course you have to go out with a bang,” Olson exclaimed. “It means everything you know, twenty years from now we are going to be walking down the halls and we are going to see that first inaugural state championship trophy and it’s going to be us!”
West Central is known for athletic dynasties throughout many sports and when asked about the possibility of a dynasty on the diamond in this new era of high school softball, coach Harden said laughing “We are working on it.”