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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (22) hugs Hewitt-Trussville’s AhKeela Honeycutt (1) after Honeycutt hit an RBI double to give the Huskies a 1-0 win over Daphne in the bottom of the ninth inning in the Class 7A state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s AhKeela Honeycutt (1) is tackled by her teammates after Honeycutt hit an RBI double to give the Huskies a 1-0 win over Daphne in the bottom of the ninth inning in the Class 7A state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s AhKeela Honeycutt (1) hits an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning of the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Presley Hull (30) tags home plate to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the ninth inning of the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
The Huskies celebrate with the Class 7A state championship trophy following a 1-0 win over Daphne in nine innings at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
The Huskies celebrate their Class 7A state championship win in the lake at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
The Huskies celebrate with the Class 7A state championship trophy following a 1-0 win over Daphne in nine innings at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s AhKeela Honeycutt (1) is tackled by her teammates after Honeycutt hit an RBI double to give the Huskies a 1-0 win over Daphne in the bottom of the ninth inning in the Class 7A state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
The Huskies celebrate with the Class 7A state championship trophy following a 1-0 win over Daphne in nine innings at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
The Huskies celebrate with the Class 7A state championship trophy following a 1-0 win over Daphne in nine innings at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
The Huskies celebrate their Class 7A state championship win in the lake at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (22) pitches in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Peyton Hull (38) fields a ground ball at third in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Chaney Peters (27) makes contact in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Olivia Faggard (28) reacts at first base after hitting a single in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Olivia Faggard (28) makes contact in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s AhKeela Honeycutt (1) catches a fly ball in left field in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s AhKeela Honeycutt (1) hugs Hewitt-Trussville’s Olivia Faggard (28) following Honeycutt’s RBI single at the bottom of the ninth inning of the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (22) pitches in the Class 7A state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips is recognized as the most valuable player following the Huskies 1-0 victory over Daphne in the Class 7A state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
The Huskies celebrate with the Class 7A state championship trophy following a 1-0 win over Daphne in nine innings at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Hewitt-Trussville’s AhKeela Honeycutt (1) hits an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning of the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (22) pitches in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Chaney Peters (27) makes contact in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Peyton Hull (38) tags Daphne’s Vic Moten (00) out at second in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Zaylen Tucker (14) fouls off during an at bat in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (22) pitches in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Ryleigh Wood (2) catches a fly ball in shallow right field during the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Peyton Hull (38) reacts at first base after hitting a single in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Lexie Kelly (4) makes contact in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (22) makes contact in the Class 7A state championship game against Daphne at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The Huskies defeated Daphne 1-0 in nine innings to claim the state title. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (22) watches as Hewitt-Trussville’s Chaney Peters (27) makes the throw to first base to record the final out against Hoover during the AHSAA state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Sara Phillips (22) jumps up after the Huskies defeated Hoover 5-4 during the AHSAA state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
The Huskies celebrate a 5-4 win over Hoover during the AHSAA state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
The Huskies celebrate a 5-4 win over Hoover during the AHSAA state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
during the AHSAA state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Olivia Faggard (28) makes contact in a game against Hoover during the AHSAA state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Kate Hicks (3) pitches in a game against Hoover during the AHSAA Class 7A state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Zaylen Tucker (14) slides underneath a tag by Hoover’s Bella Foran (27) in a game during the AHSAA Class 7A state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Makaila Hope (99) swings at a pitch in a game against Hoover during the AHSAA state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney
Hewitt-Trussville’s Kate Hicks (3) pitches in a game against Hoover during the AHSAA Class 7A state softball tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford on Monday, May 13, 2024. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
OXFORD – AhKeela Honeycutt was ready for her moment.
Neither Daphne nor Hewitt-Trussville High School could scratch across a run in an epic pitcher’s duel, but Honeycutt decided to put an end to it.
She laced a double to the left-center field gap, scoring Presley Hull and sending the Huskies to a walk-off 1-0 victory to win the game and the Class 7A state title.
“I just knew that I had to get on base, for real. I knew that my team had my back, no matter what,” Honeycutt said.
“She came out hot the first game and was a little cold the last couple, but what a time to come alive again,” Hewitt-Trussville head coach Taylor Burt said following the game. “She hit when it mattered and that’s all that mattered. It couldn’t have happened to a better kid.”
Honeycutt’s double sent Hewitt-Trussville to its second straight state title and fourth state championship over the last six years.
That hit also ended a classic pitcher’s duel between Hewitt’s Sara Phillips and Daphne’s Vic Moten. Both pitchers matched zeroes on the scoreboard through the first eight innings, before the Huskies finally scored the decisive run in the bottom of the ninth.
Phillips hardly allowed a threat from Daphne, as she threw all nine innings, allowing four hits and a single walk, while striking out 12 batters.
“We didn’t have to throw her a ton, she threw just over 100 pitches yesterday,” Burt said. “She was able to come out here fresh and get after it and that’s a testament to all of our other pitchers and hitters. I’m proud of all of them, but especially Sara.”
Phillips said she was confident the whole way, believing in the defense behind her and the ability of Hewitt’s lineup to finally break through against Moten, who had an unbelievable tournament for Daphne. Moten pitched six games, winning four of them, including a no-hitter against Thompson on Monday.
She was hoarse following the game.
“I didn’t have a voice, but I had confidence,” Phillips said.
Hewitt-Trussville nearly ended the game in the seventh after putting a runner on third with one out. But Moten got out of the jam. In the eighth, Peyton Hull began the inning with a hit down the left field line. Burt got aggressive and waved Hull to third, where she was thrown out on the play.
“I told them that’s my fault, to have my back and help me out and thankfully, they did,” Burt said.
This is the first time in Hewitt-Trussville’s recent reign on 7A that the Huskies went unbeaten in the postseason. They knocked off Dothan, Thompson and Hoover on Monday to advance to the championship game. The Huskies threw two shutouts at the regional tournament, beating Bob Jones and Austin. That came after three straight wins in the Area 6 Tournament.
That’s certainly not been the case for the Huskies over the years, who have at times made a habit of charging back after the odds were stacked against them.
“I have a little less gray hair than in years past. I’m incredibly proud we were able to get it done in four [games], I’m incredibly proud,” Burt said.
In the winner’s bracket final, a 5-4 win over Hoover, Olivia Faggard drove in a pair of runs and Zaylen Tucker notched three hits in support of Kate Hicks and Phillips in the circle.
The Huskies began the state tournament with a 14-0 win over Dothan. Tucker drove in four, while Makaila Hope and Lexie Kelly each had two hits and two RBIs. Tucker fired four shutout innings and Kinley Poe pitched an inning.
In a 4-2 win over Thompson, Hewitt scored single runs in the first three innings and never trailed. Phillips threw six innings, allowing two unearned runs. Hicks threw a scoreless frame as well.
Hewitt-Trussville finished the season with a record of 37-6, winning its final 11 games. The Huskies will graduate Amber Newman, Honeycutt, Hicks, Kelly, Sarah Beth Golden, Phillips, Chaney Peters and Faggard.
