Forsan’s Lady Buffs pose with their medals Saturday after defeating Alto, 2-1, to win the Class 1A state softball championship. (Courtesy photo by Bob Fishback)

The crown fits Forsan

By JONATHAN HULL
Sports Editor
AUSTIN — In 2006, Forsan High School started a softball program.
Four seasons later, the Lady Buffs are Class 1A state champions.

Forsan defeated Alto's Lady Yellow Jackets, 2-1, Saturday in the title game after scoring its only two runs of the game in the first inning and holding off three Alto rallies for the victory.

"Four years ago, I could see us getting here in the back of my mind," said Forsan Head Coach Shanna Roberts. "Getting here is one goal. Winning it is another. This team came together and got really focused at the end of the year. After we beat Iola (2-1 in the semifinals Thursday), I thought we were going to win a state title."

The quest to claim the championship seems unlikely when considering the different obstacles facing the Lady Buffs at the beginning of the season. For starters, the season began with two-time Offensive MVP Amanda Longorio out with a broken foot.

However, Longorio came back in time to pitch in a game against Junction that essentially gave the Lady Buffs their first outright district title. Her return turned out to be timely as the Lady Buffs had just lost their starting pitcher Ashley Buzbee to a broken collarbone.

"It seemed like we were getting a raw deal at first with all the injuries that kept hitting us, but it really worked out in the end," said Roberts. "After going back and looking at it, things really fell into line for us. Amanda came in during the middle of district and never missed a beat. We never looked back from there.

"There were a lot of different things that happened with this team and we just had to come together," Roberts added. "I don't think we had a certain player that stood out, which says a lot about this team. It's a group effort and that's what it takes to win championships."

Longorio picked up both wins at the state tournament, allowing just one earned run on six hits and no walks, while striking out three batters in the title game.

"There's not any words for this," said Longorio. "It's just overwhelming. It feels like a dream."

The Lady Buffs got on the board in the first inning after freshman Ambra Hill led off the frame with a double to the left field fence. Hill stole third and scored on a fielder's choice ball by junior Shelby Jones.

D'Amberly Averette, who was hit by a pitch when Hill was on third, stole second and moved to third on the ball hit by Jones. Kelsey Jones, who is Shelby's twin sister, hit a second fielder's choice to third base, allowing Averette to score for a 2-0 Forsan lead.

Hill was named the Most Valuable Player of the state tournament.

"This is so overwhelming," said an ecstatic Hill. "I was crying so much. I was so happy. I think my dad was crying. It's just an amazing feeling."

Hill was due to run at the Class A state track and field meet later in the day, competing in the 100-meter hurdles.

"I don't know how I'll handle it. I'm going to be a bit jumpy, so I don't know," said Hill. "Maybe jumpy is good for the hurdles. I'm just so excited. God has done so much for me so far."

The Lady Buffs relied on several solid defensive plays to fend off Alto rallies. They turned double plays in the first two innings. Longorio was able to pitch out of situations with runners on second and third in the third and fifth innings.

"I just focus on the batter," said Longorio. "If someone's on base, then I don't really worry about them. I just focus on the batter. I know my defense has got my back."

Alto finally got on the board in the top of the sixth. Lauren Watson was hit by a pitch to start the inning and moved to second on a passed ball. A pop fly was caught by Sandi Golleher in center field, allowing Watson to move to third.

However, Watson caught the Lady Buffs napping on defense and she came around to score, cutting the Lady Buffs lead in half, 2-1.

Roberts came out of the dugout to calm her team down.

"I told the team that we were starting over at that point," said Roberts. "We were ahead 2-1 and if the game ended with that score then we were still going to be the winners. I was telling them to forget about that run, get the next two outs and focus on finishing out the game."

And finish they did, as the Lady Buffs quickly got the next five outs to claim the state title.

"It feels great to start something and end with a bang," said Golleher, who along with Alyx Pappajohn and Haylie Burleson is one of three seniors on this team. "There's no better feeling than this right now. I mean, who gets to end the year as a winner? Only the state champions and that's us this year.

"We're so close. We've been building this team for four years," Golleher continued. "We're all like sisters. It just makes it so much better. We just love each other so much and it makes this more special."

Golleher, Pappajohn and Burleson make up the entire Lady Buffs outfield, leaving Roberts with a hole to fill next season.

"The seniors have really stepped up this year," said Roberts. "They've become really good outfielders. Alyx has also been a good pitcher and we've had to rely on her some to throw. Haylie and Sandi have been great defensively and stepped up tremendously at the plate over the last half of the season. I'm going to miss them. They'll be tough to replace."

The returning Lady Buffs agree with Roberts' assessment.

"It's going to be hard to replace these seniors," admitted Longorio. "I know we've got some good players stepping in and I think we'll be good enough to be up here again.

"I just hope we have another chance next year," Hill added. "Our seniors are such a big part of this team and it's going to be hard next year without them. Hopefully, we can stay tight and get here again next year."

While the outfield is graduating, the Lady Buffs do return a solid core in the infield with every player coming back, forcing Roberts to believe the team has a chance to find its way back to Austin in 2010.

"Our infield is solid. I feel great about them," raved Roberts. "They make up a solid core. I would love to be back next year. I'm not making any promises, but I would love to come back."

Alto          000 001 0—1 6 0

Forsan    200 000 x—2 2 2

Heaven Liles and Abbey Scott. Amanda Longorio and Kelsey Jones. W - Longorio (2-0). L - Liles (1-1). 2B: Alto - Lacy Huddleston; For - Ambra Hill. RBI: Forsan - K. Jones, Shelby Jones. LOB: Alto 5, Forsan 1.