John Marshall Captures Third State Championship

SOUTH CHARLESTON -- It may have taken nearly a decade-and-a-half, but John Marshall is finally back on top in W.Va. Class AAA softball.

The Monarchs (30-5) were taken to the limit by Cabell Midland, a team they had beaten in their opening game, but they came through after losing 5-3 in Championship Game 1 to win the title, 6-2, in Championship Game 2 on Craft Field inside Little Creek Park.

"This has been a long time coming," veteran John Marshall head coach Ed West, who coached his final game on Thursday. He announced earlier this season that he would step down at season's end. "You don't realize how hard it is to win a state title."

John Marshall's last state championship came in 2012, also under West. The Monarchs won their first in 1998 under Pancho Flores and finished runner up last season.

"I will miss being around the kids," West said of his retirement.

In the final title tilt, Ava Blake hit the only home run in Class AAA Tournament action. The junior who has verbally committed to Marshall University, sent the first pitch she saw with two outs over the fence in left-center for a 1-0 advantage. It was her 15th circuit shot of the season which is a JM single-season mark.

"We needed a spark and Ava provided it with that home run," West said. "We needed something to get us going and that was it."

The Monarchs added a run in the second for a 2-0 lead as West Liberty University recruit Paytyn Tucker's sacrifice fly to center brought home Nia Miller, who had reached on an error, went to second when Carlee Yoho singled and took third when Masyn Inclan walked.

The Knights (24-7) drew even in the top of the third when Olivia Bell belted a two-run bases-loaded single. The hit came after the Monarchs had intentionally walked KK Wallace.

John Marshall responded in the bottom of the inning with the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning run. Winning pitcher Kadence Pettit bounced a ground-rule double over the fence in left leading off. However, her courtesy runner was caught off the base when Reese Ward's tapper to third was fielded by Nicole Harris. She faked a throw to first and pegged a strike to second baseman Destiny Hale.

Kaylee White then drew a walk and a wild pitch moved each runner up a base. With one out, Carlie Keyser grounded out to short as Ward sprinted home to make it 3-2.

That would be more than enough run support for Pettit, another West Liberty University signee. The senior struck out nine, giving her 614 for her 3-year career inside the circle. Besides the third inning, Pettit allowed only three other batters to reach base as she was in total control.

West agreed.

"Kadence pitched really well the entire tournament," he said. "After we lost that first game everyone's spirits were down, but everyone rallied around Kadence and we got the job done."

John Marshall added a trio of insurance tallies in the fourth. Yoho walked leading off and Inclan reached on an infield single. Courtesy runner Tori Finley took over the Inclan on the basepaths and followed Yoho across the plate on a huge two-run double off Tucker's bat.

That ended Hayley Vaughan's day in the circle as Audrea Watts, who started the opening game on Wednesday, came on in relief.

"It's funny because Paytyn had been a slap hitter all season," West advised. "We've been working with her in practice on hitting with more power. She had a couple key hits in the tournament."

Watts hit Blake with a 3-2 pitch before Pettit helped her own cause by bringing Tucker home with a sacrifice fly to up the count to 6-2.

John Marshall's defense also shined as AC Cumberledge flashed the leather at first base several times. She scooped a low throw from Blake to record the first out of the fifth. In the sixth, she knocked down a ball, retrieved it and dove to tag the base for an out. Finally, she snagged a line drive with a runner on first and no outs in the seventh before lunging to the bag to complete a double play.

"AC made big plays all day. She might be the best first baseman I have ever coached," West stressed.

Pettit caught the next batter looking at strike three and the celebration was on as her teammates mobbed her along the first base line.

She wrote on Twitter:

"My time as a Lady Monarch has come to an end. After losing my freshman year to COVID. I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity to win a state championship with these amazing girls for my senior year. Beyond blessed for the support. For the last time Let's Go Monarchs!!"

Cabell Midland 5, John Marshall 3

The Knights staved off elimination in the first championship game as they scored twice in the first, once in the third and two more in the fourth.

The Monarchs wouldn't get on the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth when Blake tripled to right-center to clear the bases. However, she came off the bag following her slide and was tagged out.

Pettit fanned four and walked one.

Inclan doubled twice to lead the JM attack.

Blake, Inclan, Pettit and Tucker were voted to the all-tournament team.