JUDA — It was a long time coming, but the Argyle Orioles are finally conference champions in softball.

“Too intense for me — I still can’t breathe,” Argyle coach Heidi Ganshert said after her team’s 2-1 win over Juda-Albany May 14. “I’ve coached a lot of good players. I can’t say that anything is different — the pieces just fell in our favor this year. I’ve had a lot of great teams, but this one gels and they stick together really well.”

Hanging out in the top-10 rankings for much of the year, the Orioles suffered tough losses to top-ranked Belmont, No. 4 Highland and a painful 1-0 defeat to Juda-Albany earlier in the season at home. But after rebounding with an extra-inning win over Black Hawk three days earlier, the Orioles were ready to claim the throne.

“These tight games have been learning experiences for us. Now we push forward. We know what to do, what not to do. We know that we can last in a 10-inning game,” Argyle senior Kirsten Ostby said. “This has never been done in Argyle history — a conference championship for softball. It’s an awesome feeling. We wanted to do it for our community, for our fans, our school, our team.”

Juda-Albany made sure it wasn’t easy, however. The four-time defending champion Panthers scratched across the first run of the game in an unconventional manner in the bottom of the second. 

Brianna Crull led off with a hot shot to third, and then Argyle freshman pitcher Grace Ganshert threw wildly to first on a Lydia Bouc sacrifice bunt, allowing runners at the corners. With Bouc stealing second, Crull scored at the plate to make it 1-0. Karlee Kesler then reached on a dropped third strike and a fielder’s choice on a sacrifice bunt loaded the bases.

Heidi Ganshert called for a team meeting on the mound.

“I just said, ‘Girls, we’ve worked too hard to let this go. It’s time to bear down and get the job done.’ And they did,” Heidi Ganshert said.

On the very next pitch, Kaleigh Dallman lined to the shortstop Ostby, who made a leaping over the shoulder grab. Anna Skoumal then tried to lay down a bunt, but pitcher Grace Ganshert grabbed the ball and touched home plate. Emileigh Dallman struck out swinging to end the threat.

“Over the season we’ve had a lot of those. It’s only made us stronger for this — we were used to this and ready to go,” Heidi Ganshert said.

In the top of the fourth, Argyle was able to break through and score a run. Natalie Romdenne hit a leadoff single and Tori Lantz followed up with a drive up the middle. Leah Flanagan hit a fly ball to right that allowed both runners to advance after tagging up. Alysabeth Lantz then singled to center to score Romdenne and tie the game.

“We had a talk each inning on what we needed to do, what we needed to accomplish, keep our heads up to keep up in it. Juda is a great team and they gave us a great fight. In the end, we put it all together,” Ostby said.

In the top of the fifth, Lexi Leigh reached on a push bunt up the first base line and stole second with one out to get into scoring position. With two outs, Romdenne reached when Cindy Detra errored at first, with Leigh rounding hard and scoring the go-ahead run.

“I think we knew it was crunch time and we knew we needed to get some runs in,” Argyle senior Jadyn Saalsaa said.

Argyle collected nine hits in the game and left nine on base. Juda-Albany had just two hits, but left seven on base.

“We left runners on base, and they did too. They out-hit us. They were just able to scratch two across and we weren’t. A very well-played game on both parts. Congratulations to them, they played a nice game,” Juda-Albany coach Bill Davis said.

Grace Ganshert struck out 14 batters and walked four to get the complete game win. 

Heidi Ganshert, Grace’s mother, said games can get tense between the two.

“We are at odds a lot, we fight a lot during the game, but I’m so proud of her,” Heidi said.

Emily Makos struck out five and walked one for Juda-Albany. Leigh led all hitters with three hits, including a double. 

“This was a great game to watch with great defense,” Davis said. “We had some good at bats, it just comes down to winning that one pitch. (Grace Ganshert) threw a really nice game for them. Hat’s off to her, she played really well.”

With the postseason ready to commence, both teams now have to re-focus. For the Panthers, the 2017 state champions, that means finding a way to get runners on base.

“We have to figure out a way to put balls in play. A runner on second or third, it doesn’t necessarily take a hit — a ground ball to the right side or just putting the ball in play and putting pressure on the defense,” Davis said. “Right now we’re struggling with that, which then you resort to trying to bunt and things like that. It’s still nice if you can hit that fly ball with a runner on third base — moving the ball makes a big difference.”

After opening the season 1-5, Juda-Albany bounced back to push Argyle to the brink for the conference title. 

“It really shows that they have quite a bit of heart and worth ethic. They were willing to work and get better,” Davis said of his team. “When conference started, we began playing really good ball.”

The Orioles have a group of seniors that have experienced heartbreaking losses to end their volleyball and basketball seasons, despite high expectations.

“Graduation is obviously very exciting, but my focus is softball and I don’t want it to be done yet. Having your last sporting event is probably the worst feeling in the world. You’re heartbroken. Everyone knows how that feels, so we’re going to put that forward and not let that happen in softball,” said Ostby.

Juda-Albany hosts Lancaster in the second round of the playoffs May 21. Argyle hosts River Ridge the same day.

“Focus on one game at a time from here,” Saalsaa said.