AKRON, Ohio — The Kings Excessive College softball group is a state champion for the primary time in program historical past.
“It is all the pieces I’ve ever dreamed of,” mentioned Kings senior Julia Lowry, who was 3-for-4 with a house run three runs batted in and two runs scored.
“That is my senior 12 months so I get to complete it on the state degree successful the state championship. It simply means a lot.”
Kings defeated Westerville Central 12-4 within the Division II state ultimate Sunday evening at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
“It feels unbelievable,” Kings coach John Schablein mentioned. “It is unbelievable.”
Kings (30-1) concludes its memorable journey with a state title in its first state match look.
“It was so particular,” mentioned Kings senior Leah Mitchener, who was 2-for-3 together with a house run and three runs batted in. “All of the onerous work undoubtedly paid off.”
Kings, winners of 19 consecutive video games, will drive again to Kings Mills Sunday evening with the championship trophy and a great deal of historical past. The Kings softball program dates again to at the very least the early Eighties, based on the varsity’s athletic division.
A state title means a fantastic deal to the seniors, who accomplished their highschool profession with a 99-17 file.
“We constructed a path for the subsequent group to return right here,” Kings senior pitcher Neely McElhaney mentioned after Saturday’s 7-1 win over Painesville Riverside in a state semifinal. “It means lots particularly as a senior.”
Kings led 1-0 after one inning on Sunday in a sport that did not begin till 5:40 p.m., an hour and 40 minutes after the scheduled first pitch.
Kings led 4-0 after two innings. Westerville Central tied the sport however Lowry hit the go-ahead dwelling run within the third to provide the Knights a 5-4 lead. Kings added seven runs within the sixth inning to safe the state title.
Lowry and her teammates had been ecstatic after the sport.
“So particular; we have been working towards this for ceaselessly,” Lowry mentioned. “It has been a aim.”
Sunday was additionally the ultimate sport for Schablein, who introduced his retirement from teaching. Schablein, who additionally coached at Taylor, Deer Park and Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy since 2010, has an 80-8 file in three years with this system.
“To get this run with these guys within the final 12 months – it means an unbelievable quantity,” Schablein mentioned Saturday evening.
Kings was the one Better Cincinnati softball group within the Ohio Excessive College Athletic Affiliation state match this week. Sunday evening was this season’s ultimate Ohio Excessive College Athletic Affiliation softball state championship sport.
Kings was ranked No. 7 within the season’s ultimate Ohio Excessive College Softball Coaches Affiliation Division II state ballot. Westerville Central (28-2) was ranked No. 6.
Kings outscored opponents 60-6 throughout the postseason match.
The state championship Sunday marked the second straight season a Warren County highschool captured a softball state title. Lebanon received the 2025 Division I state championship.
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