Jefferson pitching duo fuels run to state championship

Yahoo

21 hours ago

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Jefferson softball team avenged a pair of regular season losses last weekend, helping them win the class 'AA' state championship.
Jefferson entered the state tournament as a four-seed, though many considered them dangerous. The Cavs owned a seven game win streak and had won 14 of their last 15.
'We really just grinded throughout the season. We came together when it got long and hard and we just pushed,' Whitney Portner said. 'We got really close and kind of became a family.'
That family atmosphere was displayed on and off the field, including a unique set of props in their dugout.
'This is our rally props. When we put these things on, it's game time. That's what makes it fun, just having fun in the dugout and working together. We're just having a good time, because that's what it's all about,' Tya Devericks said.
'Their energy is something else. They've always got something going on,' head coach Ed Whiting said. 'Our dugout energy especially, just carries us, because we find that the higher our energy is, the better we play.'
Jefferson outscored their opponents 17-6 in the tournament, earning two shutout wins. That effort was fueled by the talented pitching duo of senior Whitney Portner and sophomore Tya Devericks.
'I know that whatever happens, if I give it my all, she's ready to go in and vice versa. We've got each others backs, along with our whole defense out there,' Portner said.
'She's a great friend and friends come first and then the teammates,' Devericks said. 'I love her to death and it's going to be hard to leave her. Just trusting each other, working together and getting it done.'
The Cavs claimed a 4-0 shutout win the championship game, marking the first state softball title in school history.
'That was our goal all year. That's what we were telling each other,' Devericks said. 'I hope next year, I can help my team win another one. We're going to be young still. It's important as it's our first one, but not our last.'
Jefferson graduates just three of their 16 varsity players. The Cavaliers finished the year with a 20-3 overall record.
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