VIENNA, W.Va. — Their fifth consecutive state championship feeling every bit as satisfying as the first, Buffalo’s softball players dogpiled on the dusty infield.
And the last person on top was coach Darrell Moore, wearing a smile that could’ve stretched all the way back to Putnam County.
Buffalo’s 7-2 victory over Wheeling Central in the Class A title game capped a 32-win season that may have been the most rewarding of the historic run.
“We knew what we had to do to get back to this state tournament and that was to push our kids beyond the limits to make them better than what they were,” Moore said. “They accepted that challenge.”
For the second straight day, Wheeling Central (26-9) presented a challenge and temporarily enjoyed an early lead. But despite an 11-8 edge in hits, the Maroon Knights couldn’t kick off the champs.
“We had 11 hits but we needed a couple timely ones,” said Central coach Rick Magruder. “We had the opportunities. We just missed the big hits early in the game that could’ve made the difference. But good teams like Buffalo, they get out of those situations.”
Especially great players like Buffalo senior Ali Burdette. The Marshall signee used 10 strikeouts to strand 12 baserunners, and she punctuated the final pitch of her celebrated high school career with a punch-out.
“Ali Burdette, she’s one of the best you’re going to see in the state,” Magruder said.
Burdette had two hits, including an RBI single that gave Buffalo a 2-1 lead in the third inning. She singled and scored in the sixth, when the Bison went up 4-2, and was intentionally walked during a three-run sixth that sealed the title.
“All of our goals came true,” Burdette said.
Courtney Allen delivered two hits and a drove in a run for Buffalo (32-6), which scraped together enough offense to beat talented freshman pitcher Riley Bennington for the second straight day.
“We’re happy but we’re not satisfied,” said Magruder, whose other freshman pitcher, Marissa Garlitz, won two games at the tournament. “They’ve both grown a ton this year, and they’re still learning. We’re going to do our best to get back here next year.”
Wheeling Central 10, Man 2 (five innings): Jai’Ehir Jackson had four hits, including an RBI single that imposed the mercy rule, as the Maroon Knights eliminated Man (19-13) on Thursday morning.
Allie Cook belted a three-run double and Bailey Rehm collected two hits for Wheeling Central, which got five hit pitching and six strikeouts from Marissa Garlitz.
Two of those hits belonged to Man’s Sydney Keffer, including an RBI single.
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