Jay girls crowned as 1A state champions

The fifth time proved to be the charm for the Jay High School girls softball team defeated Fort White 6-5 last Wednesday in Clermont, Fla., in the 1A state championship, handing the Lady Royals their first state title.

Jay had made it to the finals four previous times but came up empty. This past Wednesday with the game deadlocked at 5-5 in the bottom of sixth, Jay pinch runner Kaitlyn Cooley scored from second base on a throwing error to give the Royals a 6-5 lead.

Jay held Fort White off the board in the top of the seventh to claim the championship.

Jay scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth and looked to be on cruise control for the title. However, Fort White scored two in the top of the fifth and three in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 5-5.

Jay scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth that proved to be the winning run.

Jay 3, Liberty 2

Jay reached the finals by defeating Liberty County 3-2 in the semi-finals last Tuesday.

Jay took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with Ella Nelson and Alayna Lowery crossing the plate to give the Royals the early lead.

Liberty County scored a run in the top of the third, but Jay answered when Nelson crossed the plate again to give Jay a 3-1 lead.

Liberty County added another run in the top of the fifth to close the gap to 3-2 which is how the game ended to advance the Royals to the finals.

Members of the 2022 Jay Royals are Ella Nelson, Brett Watson, Miley Lopez, Kyeli Martinez, Kassidy Nevels, Alayna Lowery, Bailey Lopez, Audrey Barnes, Caitlyn Gavin, Brooklyn Sorrells, Layna Lowry, Kaitlyn Cooley, Daisy Johnson, Kaylee Gilbreath, Mattie Cochran, Luci Borders, Maggie Hudson and Candee Carroll.

The Lady Royals are coached by Brian Watson, Jeremy Lowery, Drek Gilbreath, Mindy Jordan and Kolby Bray.

The Lady Royals will be honored from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 9, during a Block Party on Commerce Street to celebrate the softball state champions.