The Laurence Manning Academy softball team capped off a dominant season with a thrilling 5-4 victory over rival Wilson Hall on Thursday, securing their second consecutive SCISA 4A state championship in front of a home crowd.
The Swampcats, who improved to 24-3 on the year, extended their winning streak to five games, but the path to back-to-back titles didn’t come easy. Laurence Manning had to claw back from an early 4-0 deficit and rely on both grit and timely mistakes by Wilson Hall to complete the comeback.
The Lady Barons appeared to be in control early, scoring four runs in the second inning thanks to a leadoff double, two infield singles, and a bases-clearing double by Caroline Moorman. Wilson Hall outhit LMA 7-4, but crucial errors in the fifth inning cost them the game and ultimately the championship.
Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth, the Swampcats capitalized on a throwing error and a missed play at third base that allowed Laurence Manning’s Lilly Wellborn to score the go-ahead run. The chaotic sequence started when Ashley Rae Hodge reached on an error, followed by a walk to Laini Kosinski. What should have been a routine groundout turned into a game-defining play as Wilson Hall’s throw to first went high, and a subsequent throw to third missed its mark, allowing Wellborn to score and give LMA a 5-4 lead.
From there, Kosinski, pitching solo after fellow ace Kayleigh Parmenter-Avins was sidelined with a shoulder injury, held Wilson Hall scoreless through the final innings. Though she recorded only one strikeout, Kosinski gave up just seven hits and a walk in the complete game effort, ending her high school career with another state title.
Despite being injured, Parmenter-Avins had one final moment on the field, entering as a pinch hitter in the fourth inning. Though she struck out, her participation was a meaningful part of the win for the senior class.
LMA’s offense came alive just in time, as Caroline Welch and Lyza Prickelmyer each launched solo home runs to trim the deficit before the pivotal fifth inning. The comeback showcased the team’s resilience and belief in their ability to fight back regardless of the score.
Wilson Hall, a young squad with an 8th-grade and 9th-grade pitcher sharing duties, showed promise despite the heartbreaking loss. Their lone senior, Abby Bradley, closed out her career with a strong performance, including an RBI single and solid defensive play in the outfield.
The win secured Laurence Manning’s fourth straight appearance in the state finals and their second 4A title in as many years. With the victory coming on their home field for the second year in a row, the celebration was immediate and emphatic as the team’s supporters rushed the field to join in the moment.
For Laurence Manning, the win wasn’t just about hardware — it was a testament to perseverance, team unity, and finishing strong when the pressure is highest.
