Crowley Nazarene Christian falls in TAPPS Division IV state championship

A program trying to build versus a perennial powerhouse.

The Crowley Nazarene Christian Academy Lions, making their second-ever state tourney appearance and both in the last two years, facing the defending champion Hallettsville Sacred Heart Indianettes, owners of 13 state crowns.

The reigning titleholder would repeat, as Nazarene Christian fell, 16-2, in a five-inning run-rule TAPPS softball Division IV state championship contest played on Allan Saxe Field on the University of Texas-Arlington campus.

A promising game beginning for Nazarene Christian became “what might have been” for the Lady Lions, who were riding an 11-game win streak into the title matchup. The team’s 1-4 hitters -- all seniors -- have been a force all season, and looked to continue in the title game.

Savannah Spangler opened with a double, Madison Glendenning reached on an error off a bunt attempt, and a Gracyn Whitsell infield single scored Spangler. Abigail Thomas then coaxed a walk to load the bases with no outs. However, a pair of strikeouts and a groundout ended the threat, with Nazarene holding a 1-0 lead.

“We just could not take advantage of that big opportunity early,” said Nazarene Head Coach Glenn Wisdom. “And you can’t do that against a great team like Sacred Heart.”

The Indianettes’ potent offense wasted no time in taking the momentum. After a pair of singles to begin its home half of the first, junior Avery Beach smashed a three-run homer to dead center that cleared the fence by over ten feet. Sacred Heart would add another run in the inning, then exploded for five more in the bottom of the second when it sent 10 batters to the plate. Another run in the next inning left Nazarene with a 10-1 deficit.

The Lady Lions (15-4) were able to add a run in the fourth, without a hit. A six-run Sacred Heart bottom of the fourth stretched the margin to 16-2. A scoreless top of the fifth, when Nazarene would need at least five runs for the game to continue, ended the Lady Lions season.

Whitsell had three hits at the plate -- a pair of doubles and a single. Spangler’s first-inning double was the lone other hit Nazarene could muster in the game.

“I am so proud of what these girls accomplished this season,” said Coach Wisdom, in his fourth year leading the program. “We had to replace seven starters from last year’s team,” noted Wisdom. “Tremendous senior leadership and the girls hard work get credit in this year’s success.”

A year ago, the Lady Lions advanced to their initial Final Four, losing 12-2 to Lubbock Christian in the state semifinal. “We took another step forward this year, and hope to build on that.”

All four of the team’s seniors -- Whitsell, Spangler, Glendenning and Thomas -- were named to the 10-player all-tournament team. “Glendenning and Thomas were not starters a year ago,” said Coach Wisdom. “But they really stepped up this season and were very productive.”

Whitsell, a Southern Nazarene (Oklahoma) signee, will be difficult to replace. The standout was 14-1 with 11 complete games entering the title game, and earned a save in the team’s only other victory. Whitsell also led the team in batting average, home runs and RBIs.

She fanned six in the state semifinal 12-2 triumph over Weatherford Christian the previous evening, and according to her head coach, finished her stellar career with 692 strikeouts, which includes the three whiffs she recorded against Sacred Heart. “She almost got to 700,” said Coach Wisdom, shaking his head in amazement at the feat. “She has just been an incredible player.”

Coach Wisdom had no hesitation in pitching Whitsell on back-to-back days. “She has done that twice before this season,” said Wisdom. “And won them both each time.”

Crowley Nazarene ousted Kennedale Fellowship Academy, 14-4, in the Area round, then eliminated Dallas First Baptist, 8-5, in the regional round to reach the Final Four.

Sacred Heart (22-7) was a juggernaut throughout the playoffs, with all four post-season wins via run-rule variety. It pounded Conroe Covenant Christian, 19-4, in the area round and followed with a 23-0 rout of Huntsville Alpha Omega in the regional round. The Indianettes ousted Bryan St. Joseph, 13-3, before its 16-2 championship victory.

The Indianettes pounded out 18 hits in the title game. Beach was 4-4 offensively, driving in six runs and scoring three. On the mound, Beach yielded just three hits over four innings to pick up the win, registering seven strikeouts (all swinging).

Hallettsville Sacred Heart was making its 23rd state tourney appearance, which is tied for most in TAPPS with Shiner St. Paul. Its now-14 state titles also equals that of Shiner St. Paul’s for the most TAPPS softball state championships.

Sacred Heart is primed for a three-peat next season as the Indianettes lose just one senior off this year’s championship roster.