The West Liberty-Salem softball team

The West Liberty-Salem Tigers could taste the Division III State Championship after catcher Haleigh Hickenbottom stepped up to the plate in the top of the seventh and belted a solo homerun to give them the lead 1-0.

Even though Tigers fans didn't say it, many were thinking "that should be enough".  Emily Kauffman had thrown six innings of scoreless ball and when she has the lead late she usually closes.

(Listen to game highlights and coach Detwiler's comments in this story) 

Kauffman took the mound in the bottom of the seventh and quickly dispatched of the first two Wellington batters.  The Tigers fans came to their feet looking for the final out and their first trip to the championship game.  Brooke Lewis was Wellington's last chance.  Lewis would hit a sharp ground ball on the infield, but as the fielder moved the ball took just a little spin on the glove and the fielder was unable to make the play at first.  With the Dukes season on life support Melanie Conklin stepped to the plate and hit a rocket to the right field wall which scored Lewis from first to tie the game 1-1.  Kauffman would intentionally walk the next batter and the next batter would flyout to center to end the seventh.

The Tigers would quickly be set down in the top of the eighth.  For the bottom of the inning Wellington would have their 4,5 & 6 hitters at the plate.  Callie McConnell would strikeout leading off, but the third strike got past the catcher and McConnell raced to first and beat the throw.  The next batter sacrificed the runner to second.  Amy Rader stepped to the plate with the winning run at second and one out.  Kauffman would send her back to the dugout via another strikeout.  The Tigers were just one out away from another inning.  Kauffman would get a ground ball out of Christy King, but the throw to first went over the head of the first baseman and the winning run rounded third and raced to home without a throw and the Dukes stunned the Tigers 2-1 in 8 innings.

Emily Kauffman pitched another great game throwing a complete game allowing 2 runs (both unearned), striking out 7 with three walks (all intentional).  Kauffman finishes the season 26-2 with an ERA under 0.67.

Listen to West Liberty-Salem make a big defensive play to keep the game scoreless

Hear Haleigh Hickenbottom's homerun 

Although WLS lost, their season included many great memories. The Tigers won the OHC title at 14-0, set a school record with 31 wins, and advanced to state for the first time in school history.

West Liberty-Salem finishes the season 31-2.

Hear coach Lanay Detwiler's thoughts on the game

Detwiler comments on being one out away from the championship game

Here's what Detwiler said to her seniors after the game 

In Division IV, Triad won a thriller. The Cardinals advanced to their third straight state title game by defeating Warren JFK 5-1 in ten innings.

Senior catcher Chelsie Brooks hit a walk off grand slam on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the tenth to give her team a dramatic win.

The Cardinals will battle Danville in the championship game Saturday morning at ten o'clock.