FAYETTEVILLE -- Spring Hill broke open a close game with some aggressive base-running to post a 3-1 victory over Buffalo Island Central in the 2A Class softball championship Saturday at Bogle Park.
Spring Hill (29-6) scored single runs in the second, fourth and sixth innings, all on hard-nosed base-running plays.
"We kind of live and die on being aggressive on the base paths and swinging the bats," Spring Hill Coach Todd Finley said. "We try to force the other team to make some mistakes, and it worked for us today."
Maegan Ward scored the first run in the bottom of the second inning, getting on by walk, moving to third on a single from Taylor Teague and scoring on an error by the catcher for a 1-0 lead.
Spring Hill added another run in the fourth. Sydney Orr led off with a single, moved up on an error and scored by stealing home when the Buffalo Island Central's defense was caught napping for a 2-0 advantage.
Buffalo Island Central got on the board in the top of the sixth inning when Catherine Colbert reached on an error and wound up scoring on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 2-1.
Spring Hill answered when Ward slammed a ball over the right fielder's head and raced around the bases for an inside-the-park home run. Buffalo Island Central's catcher tried to block the plate, but Ward ran through her and sent the catcher sprawling.
Ward, a freshman, was named MVP.
"She is going to play on the next level," Finley said. "She is an unbelievable player. She plays hard all the time."
Spring Hill pitcher Kalyne Powell gave up only three hits and no earned runs.
"We know with Kalyne in the circle, we aren't going to give up a lot so we try to build our defense around her," Finley said. "Pitching and defense, that is what we try to build on."
It was the first state championship in softball for Spring Hill.
"These girls all play a lot of different sports," Finley said. "They play a lot of ball and they know how to win."
Finley had told his team that he was leaving to take over as head coach at Bald Knob, which defeated Harding Academy 5-0 Friday to win the Class 3A state championship.
"I told the team and everybody the next day after I took the job," Finley said. "I think everybody understands it is just a good opportunity for me with some administrative duties, and Spring Hills is in a good spot moving on.
"I've had a great time here, and it's really good to go out on top with a bunch of great kids."
BIC; 000 001 0 -- 1 3 2
Spring Hill; 010 101 -- 3 6 0
Greathouse and Owens; Powell and Ward. W -- Powell. L -- Greathouse. HR -- Ward (3), Spring Hill.
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Sports on 05/24/2015