October 8, 2022

Emily Robinson forced the Ripley batter into another ground ball.

And the result was the same as it’s been all year.

Timber Hensley picked it up and flung it to first as a big smile appeared on her face.

The defense had forced another out, this one the biggest of the year.

After the ball fell into Jordyn Nichols’ glove, the Bruins rushed for the dogpile that they’ve recently grown accustomed to performing at USA Hall of Fame Stadium.

They were champions again.

Caddo took down Ripley 2-0 in seven innings for its third consecutive softball title. In the past two years, under coach Dustin McKay, the Bruins have won their first fastpitch title (2021), first slowpitch title (2022) and are now the first to go back-to-back in school history.

“It’s unbelievable,” McKay said. “These girls have bought into what we’re doing and they’re just great competitors. I just told them, ‘They’ve helped us make this part of a tradition.’ We’re going to go up to the state tournament every year and we’re going to try to compete.”

McKay said the key to Caddo’s championship win was its base running. And in the fourth inning, the Bruins proved why as they earned two runs. Emily Robinson hit a sac fly to foul territory and Jaycie Nichols scored after tagging at third. Four batters later, Rylan Peevyhouse knocked in Kadey Lee McKay with an infield single.

From there, it was all defense. Robinson threw all seven innings, allowing just two hits with two strikeouts.

“My defense is one of the best in the state,” Robinson said, “so, I just wanted to let them make plays because that’s just how much I believe in our fielding.”