VIENNA, W.Va. — Savannah Wiley and Alysa Meeks donned graduation gowns between games, staging a makeshift ceremony while the Chapmanville softball team was away from campus.
The girls didn’t mind. There were making memories on the field.
“We had to miss graduation, but honestly, I’d rather be here winning the state championship,” Wiley said after the Lady Tigers rallied to claim the Class AA title with three victories Thursday.
Chapmanville’s long but memorable day featured a 4-0 morning win over Petersburg followed by back-to-back takedowns of James Monroe, 12-4 and 10-0.
“Three big wins,” exclaimed coach Ronnie Ooten. “I’m so dadgum excited, I don’t know what to tell you.”
During Ooten’s three-plus decades as coach, Chapmanville had won five state titles, but none of his previous teams featured so many bats. All of it was on display as the Tiers took revenge after losing to James Monroe on Wednesday night.
That loss led to a players meeting inside the hotel room of sophomore pitcher Kenzie McCann, who left teammates crying as she challenged them to do something special.
“We came out knowing what we had to do today,” McCann said. “We had to show them who was really boss.”
McCann pitched Chapmanville (33-6) past Petersburg before winning the equalizer against James Monroe (22-9). In the final game, the rout was on after sophomore Karah Little blasted a first-inning, three-run homer over the scoreboard in left-center.
“I didn’t see it go over because I was running too hard,” said Little, who hadn’t homered all season—an oddity in a lineup loaded with mashers. “We were on it today. Our hitting came through and I’m so proud of us.
“We weren’t happy about being in the losers’ bracket and we knew it was going to be hard. But Kenzie said we were going to win three games and that’s what we did.”
James Monroe, making its third tournament appearance in four seasons, settled for a runner-up finish after beginning Thursday in prime position.
“We played really well yesterday, but we just didn’t hit the ball or make the routine plays today,” said coach Greg Wickline. “Chapmanville, they’re as quality a team as there is out there. If we’re going to get beat by somebody, I guess I’m glad it’s them.”