Hundreds gathered on Main Street Monday to see a rare, but not unprecedented sight, a local team proudly wearing its state champion crown, basking in the gratitude of a still-excited county.
The balmy mild, sunny, summertime weather that had eluded the team all year, especially in the rain soaked championship tournament, embraced all as the team paraded before the town. Most gathered in the cool shade of town buildings as the evening sun cast broad shadows.
Sirens blared and the small caravan set out. State police and Pendleton County Sheriff’s cruisers provided a loud and festive escort, alongside of two area volunteer fire departments. In between, the alumni band provided the musical accompaniment.
It turned off of Main Street and snaked its way to the Town of Franklin Park. There, an even more special ceremony awaited.
Back on Main Street, as parents and supporters ranging from the age of toddlers to seniors picked up their chairs to disperse, team mom Kara Townsend hollered “come and eat!”
This team has mostly played together since elementary school. Players and parents alike came together as a family as the girls ground out seasons of travel ball, taking them all over the country to play the best of the best. Not just any state championship celebration would do. Marlena Beachler, Taylor Southerly, and the squad of parents and coaches scrambled to put together a parade, signing off ceremony, and party to celebrate the achievement.
The United States Census Bureau states that, as of 2023, the Town of Franklin has 468 souls. At the town park that evening, the crowd easily surged past that number. Beachler directed all to “gather around as if you were watching a ballgame. Let’s get this party started!”
A standing room only crowd filled the bleachers and spilled onto the field behind first base.
After all took their places, Beachler said to those assembled that “this month has been really eventful for us.” She offered an apt comparison, saying, “Imagine planning a wedding for 600 people in three days!”
“The celebration of the historic season and title run,” Beachler shared, “would not have been possible without the amazing people and businesses of Pendleton County. You all showed up!”
She then listed a number of supporting individuals and groups that helped in putting the evening together. Also, Beachler shared that Jeff Bowers had committed to buying the championship sign that would be placed in the Pendleton County Middle/High School gymnasium. The Town of Franklin would pick up the cost of a similar sign to place at the field itself.
After team introductions, coaches all gave their thanks. Trevon Crites shared some of his thoughts on the team, followed by Southerly. She passionately remembered “every day at practice, you all showed up to work hard.” She talked of how all “had a blast together” and offered advice that carried them through softball, but also will apply to life, saying “keep working hard and trust the process.”
Billy Beachler said that some said they’d “never have girls from here go to college and play. We did it. You did it.” Similarly, doubts persisted that the team could win at the highest levels.
The lesson from the season is “everything in life is attainable if you set a goal and work toward that goal.”
Potomac Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Eric Crites, spoke last about “the best group of kids that anyone would want to coach.” He ticked off some special moments where players went beyond themselves, such as first baseman Lizzie Alt dusting off her pitching skills to set down Keyser in the title game of the Bub Riggleman Tournament.
Next, came a special part of the ceremony, the signing off. As coaches set up the “L” pitchers’ guard in the mound at the center of the field, the crowd heard an explanation of what they were about to see.
Each senior recorded a message. Some addressed the sport of softball itself, others memories and beloved supporters. All thanked God, their parents, coaches, team family, and fellow champion players.
As the aromas of grilled meats started to waft across the field and tease the tummies there, the players would bring their bat to home plate. After each message, which always ended with them reciting their number and saying “signing off,” one of their parents or other loved ones would toss pitches for the player to drive into the outfield. After their “at bat” the players would slap hands with all parents and other family supporters lined up along the first and third base lines.
Avery Townsend led off, as she has throughout most of her varsity career. She told of “so many life lessons” learned, including that “failure is the key to success. You have to mess up to get better.”
“No one sees the amount of time put into this sport” to elevate a team individually and collectively to be its best. Also, she said there is “nothing better than winning a state title, especially with this team.”
The first team all-state Townsend gave credit to teammates, coaches, her family, and the team parents, but also cited the author of all successes by saying Philippians 4:13. The verse that she shared, but did not quote, reads “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
She closed with “Number 12, signing off.”
Baylee Beachler, fresh off of being named captain of the all-state squad, came up next. Her recording spoke to the game of softball itself, saying “you have shaped me into the person I am.”
The fireball pitcher thanked Jessica Parker, “my catcher, for putting her life on the line for me,” as well as her father “for all those years sitting on that bucket” teaching her the game and the details needed to go from merely very good to great.
“Number 21, signing off.”
For Jenna Smith, “softball has held such a great place in my life . . . I thank God every day for this amazing sport.” She shared the emotional and physical battles she fought this season, coming back from a shoulder injury, accomplishing her determination to overcome it and return to help her team triumph in South Charleston.
“Number 18, signing off.”
Alt said of the sport that “you have been a part of my life since I was able to pick up a bat.” She thanked the tight-knit group of player kin that all called “bonus families.”
“I thank God for the opportunity to play the sport of softball” which had “such an impact on my life.”
“Number 15, signing off.”
Julia Mongold, known affectionately to the team as “Chicken,” shared in her recording that at one point, she had determined to focus solely on basketball. She said that at one point “Jeremy Townsend asked me to play.” With some convincing, she said yes to “the best decision I ever made.”
“My last four years as a Wildcat were absolutely amazing,” she recalled, stating also that she’d miss “screaming songs with my teammates.” Mongold then thanked the extended bonus family for “treating me as one of their own,” as well as her own family, “my amazing teammates, and my amazing coaches.”
“Number 11, signing off.”
Finally, a woman of few words, Bella Lockard came up. She thanked “my Mom, my Dad, my grandparents, and my teammates.”
After she said “Number 16, signing off,” her teammates mobbed her as she made her way down the first base line.
After celebrating the seniors, a prayer over the meal to come was given, that included “we ask Your blessings on their lives.” All then made their way off the field to eat three tables worth of freshly made food, including hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, a vegetable tray, a massive dessert pizza, and more.
As the ceremony transitioned into an evening town lawn party, players one by one made their way off the diamond for the last time.
Julia Mongold, turning off the field, toward the crowds of family, coaches, teammates, and supporters gathering outside, softly sang to herself the chorus of the Queen rock anthem “We Are the Champions.”
