5A-8: Newsome wins second straight title

In a title matchup full of momentum swings, Newsome pitcher Ashley Stubbs' consistency proved to be the difference.

Three of the final six Bloomingdale batters struck out, including one with the bases loaded, as the Wolves claimed their second straight Class 5A, District 8 title with a 7-5 win.

"I was so nervous, but in that situation, you have to get ahold of yourself," Stubbs said. "When I got that last strikeout, I was so excited. I pumped my fist in the air and knew that was exactly what we wanted."

Bloomingdale scored four runs to open the game as pitcher Kristen Kelly drove in two with a double down the third-base line.

After struggling early, Stubbs allowed one run on six hits but, more important, stranded five in the last three innings.

"She's been our workhorse on the mound this year and has really been the backbone of our team," coach Jessi Kowal-Ray said. "She wanted it tonight; she struggled a little bit, but she stuck in there for us."

The Wolves beat King and Armwood by a combined 23-1 to reach the title game, but they left five runners stranded in the first three innings against the Bulls.

During a fourth-inning rally, catcher Ashley Gornto scored the first run for Newsome and broke a tie at 5 with a two-run double.

"Bloomingdale came out and did a great job …," Kowal-Ray said. "Any team would have folded under that kind of pressure, but I have to hand it to the girls."