The Aubrey Lady Chaparrals softball team’s spectacular run to Austin ended with a 10-1 loss to the Robinson Lady Rockets in the 4-A Division II State Championship on May 30.
The Lady Rockets controlled the game from start to finish, winning the battle in the batter’s box, 10-5, and stifling the Lady Chaps offense en route to Robinson’s first softball state championship in 26 years.
“We knew they were dangerous coming in, so we knew we would have to hit and score,” Aubrey head softball coach James Ramsey said. “No matter how well it went defensively, scoring one run was not going to beat them. … We had opportunities, [but] we just couldn't come up with those timely hits, and that's big in softball.”
The Rockets opened the game with a bang when shortstop Kaygen Marshall went yard in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to left field, giving Robinson a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Chaps answered in the top of the third inning when second baseman Molly Reid drove in a run with a line drive single to right field, tying the score at 1.
Robinson moved back in front, 5-1, with a four-run burst sparked by a solo home run shot from pitcher Raelynn Van Zee, followed by a runner scoring on a passed ball and a single to right field hit by outfielder Addison Williams that drove in two runs.
The Rockets picked up another run in the fourth inning and closed the game with another four-run salvo in the bottom of the fifth inning.
“We felt like we still had a shot when it was 5-1,” Ramsey said. “Once it got above that, it was getting pretty tough. We just didn't get the plays that we needed when we needed them. We couldn’t get the outs that we needed in those big spots, and the big hits, the walks or whatever [Robinson] needed, they got it.”
Van Zee was named the games’ most valuable player, finishing the day with three hits, five RBIs, one HR, eight strikeouts and one earned run.
Despite the loss, Ramsey emphasized how pleased he was with his team’s performance this season.
“I’m super proud of them; 33-4 [and] making it to the state championship, there’s nothing to hang their heads about,” he said. “I told them to be proud to be proud. It’s damn tough to get here, and it's damn tough to win once you do. That's what makes it so special.”
Rasmey also made sure to thank the Aubrey administration, teachers, school board members, athletic director Keith Ivy, girls’ athletic coordinator Ron Gathright, athletic secretary Lanise Heath, the softball booster club and the Aubrey parents for their love and support through-
