Jay Lady Royals Fall In State Championship Game

May 9, 2012

The Jay Lady Royals may have finished second Tuesday in the Class 1A State Championship game in Clermont, Florida, but they were still big winners in the eyes of the little Santa Rosa County town.

The Lady Royals finished their season at a respectable 21-4. It was the first ever appearance in a softball state championship game for Jay. And Tuesday’s 12-9 loss to Lafayette set a couple of records. The 21 total runs were the most ever scored in a FHSAA state final softball game. And Jay’s nine runs were the most ever scored by a second place team.

Only one Pensacola area team has ever brought home a state softball championship — that was Pace with the 5A crown in 2007. Jay joins just one other Escambia or Santa Rosa  team to ever finish as a class runner-up — Tate (5A) in 2001.

Lafayette 12 — Jay 9

Lafayette jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but Jay answered to tie it at 3-3 by the end of the inning. Camille Driver and Michaela Stewart had RBI singles, while Syndney Lowery had a bases loaded walk. The inning ended for the Royals with the bases loaded.

The Hornets took a 5-3 lead in the third, as Jay was three up and three down.

The fourth ended with Lafayette with a 8-4 lead. The Lady Royals scored with a sacrifice fly from Samantha Steadham.

The fifth added a lot of excitement to the state championship game as it evened up 9-9. Jay had consecutive RBI singles from Becca Calloway and Camille Driver, and Tessa Hendricks was on an infield grounder. Olivia Wright had a two-run single for the tie.

But the Hornets stung again in with three runs, 12-9.

Pictured top: The Jay Lady Royals. Pictured inset: Tearful senior captains Tessa Hendricks and Becca Calloway tearfully accept their runner up trophy. Pictured below:  A group of Jay fans made the long road trip to Clermont Tuesday to cheer on the Lady Royals. Submitted photos by Tori Reid for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

10 Responses to “Jay Lady Royals Fall In State Championship Game”

  1. Tanya on May 10th, 2012 8:40 am

    Your all winners to us. How many people can say they played in the Championship game. Good job girls. #1 in my book always.

  2. TSmith on May 9th, 2012 9:27 am

    Great job Lady Royals!!You may not have won the championship but to have advanced that far is a huge accomplishment!!!You are an awsome group of players and making it to where you are shows that!Your community and school is so very proud of you!You all should be proud as well! You left your mark in history!!

  3. Dawn on May 9th, 2012 9:08 am

    So proud of our Lady Royals!! You have so much to be proud of! What great memories you have to tell your kids and others!! You need to thank God for giving you the talent you have. Thank you for representing your community and school well!!

  4. MaryAnn Spence - Northview Fam on May 9th, 2012 5:39 am

    You played awesome! Love you Lady Royals and you only a few teams have done so well. Enjoy … we are so proud of you.

  5. well on May 9th, 2012 5:00 am

    What a season ladies. The entire area is very proud of you.

  6. scott poley on May 8th, 2012 9:58 pm

    great job girls we are all proud of all of you

  7. t on May 8th, 2012 8:21 pm

    Very proud of you Jay Lady Royals. Thanks for a great season.

  8. Sarah on May 8th, 2012 8:06 pm

    We are so very proud of the Jay High School LADY ROYALS!!
    You made us so proud!!!! State runner up and history made!!!

  9. FHS Mom on May 8th, 2012 7:32 pm

    Lady Royals: What you all have accomplished is something awesome few have done so well- something to be extremely proud of!

  10. Carrie on May 8th, 2012 5:11 pm

    WTG Girls…….still proud of you!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports