TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) - This week, two Big Bend area softball teams will look to bring home a State Championship. In Class 2A, the Aucilla Christian Lady Warriors are looking to join an elite group.
In Florida, just seven high schools have won three or more consecutive State titles. The Lady Warriors look to join that club on Thursday.
"These girls started with me, most of them in 6th and 7th grade, and they've just continued to improve," said head coach Becky Lauth as her group prepares to play for a third straight State Championship. "I knew they could be very good, at least, they were then, and I knew if they continued to work hard, they would be now."
That hard work has paid off, now Defending Back to back state champions, a feat, these ladies are proud of.
"It is a true honor to bring the first state championship here to Aucilla," said senior catcher Kelly Horner. "We're blessed, and it's for the people who came before us, built this program and that have built this school."
"We knew we had a lot of talent coming up," added fellow senior Ramsey Sullivan. "We didn't expect to be back to back state champions and be going (to the Final Four) for a fourth time."
Another trip to the Final Four upcoming, and Vero Beach is a second home for the Lady Warriors. That possibility of a three peat, it's just amazing to think about.
"It's crazy, it's kind of unbelievable," laughed Horne. "I don't want to put the cart before the horse but it's just a blessing. I hope we can go in, I hope I can end my senior year on a good note, but giving the glory to God, trusting in him, trust in my teammates, and just having fun."
"It would be pretty amazing," added junior pitcher Elizabeth Hightower. "It's just something that not a lot of schools around here have done, especially softball, so it'd be pretty cool to bring home."
"I don't really know how I'll react!" laughed coach Lauth. "It'll be an incredible feeling, for all of us you know, for them and the coaching staff, that we've done our job, to get them where they wanted to go."
Go they have, now it's all about finishing the job. Aucilla Christian takes on Glades Day Wednesday at 10:35 am, with the winner advancing to Thursday's title game.
In Class 3A, the Maclay Marauders are making their first appearance in the Final Four since 1995. They take on John Carroll Catholic at 3:35 on Wednesday.
