COLUMBIA — - The Wardlaw Lady Patriots and head coach Ron Conley probably could have won a fifth straight softball state championship over the weekend without a phone call and personal pep talk from Arizona softball legend and Olympic champion Jennie Finch, but it certainly didn'’t hurt matters.

Conley had become an acquaintance of Finch'’s father, Doug, several years ago and the men stayed in touch. Doug Finch told Conley he would have his daughter call the team if at all possible and he was true to his word. At exactly 2:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon Conley’'s cell phone rang with Jennie Finch on the other end of the line.

Finch talked on speaker phone with the girls for around two or three minutes.

Following a moment like that the opposition had no chance.“

"The girls were pumped,"” Conley said. “"(Jennie) is a great example for all young ladies. She’'s a wonderful person, and she wanted me to call her back and let her know how we did in the tournament.”"

Conley would have great news to report —- dominating news.

The Lady Patriots did not allow a single run scored in three games en route to capturing the team’'s fifth consecutive SCISA Class A state championship with an overall record of 18-6.

The team was not scored on by a single Class A opponent during the entire season and lost its six games to Class 2-A and 3-A competition by an average of just one run each game.  

The state title game Saturday against Jefferson Davis Academy was over in four innings at 16-0.
Still, as close as two weeks ago, Conley wasn’'t sure which team he would have available for the tournament — one totally focused on the task at hand or a talented group prone to wandering mind syndrome.
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"A couple of weeks ago I wasn’t exactly sure where their minds were at, but they held a team meeting with none of the coaches and they haven'’t played a bad game since,"” Conley said. "“I think I have more confidence in this team'’s abilities than any other team I'’ve had because they can do it all. These girls are disciplined ball players. I scream and yell at them and they just keep on going."”

The Lady Raiders actually moved a runner into scoring position at third base in the top of the first inning after a bloop hit fell in between a pair of Lady Patriot infielders, but starting pitcher Kinsey Parrish ended the threat with a strikeout and an innocent grounder to Gina Easler at first base.

Wardlaw got going in the second inning when Britnee Goldman drove in a pair of runs with a solid hit into the outfield. The Lady Patriots added two more in the inning and 7 more in the bottom of the third to blow the game wide open.

From there the hit parade continued as Conley emptied the bench.
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"Britnee had gone cold a little bit, but she was back in this tournament,”" Conley added. “"In this state tournament is was definitely a team effort. Everyone in the lineup found a way to contribute.”"

Skyler Eargle and Gina Easler were also named to the SCISA All-State team.

Parrish said the team-only meeting brought the team back together for the stretch run.
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"We just hadn’'t been playing as a team,”" she said. "“We hadn'’t been putting everything in God the way we should have and the meeting was just about bringing us together as a team. After that we just got on a roll. With our team we have people that other teams may not focus on as much, but who get the job done.”"

And the call from Jennie Finch? That was just icing on the cake.
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"That was awesome,"” Parrish added. "“I’ve always looked up to her."”

The Lady Patriots have now won six state titles in nine years under Conley’'s guidance, also winning region titles in eight of those years. And the team is already a factor in next year’'s run for the state title. Only two players —- Caroline Herlong and Carlie Condrey —- graduate on May 22nd.
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"We’ll get ready and go after it again,"” Conley said.