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Lehigh 000 020 - 2 3

Warren 004 00x - 4 7

2b-Paige Wilson (W), Meghan Loutzenhiser (W), Emily Kessler (L). WP-Loutzenhiser.

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OLD FORGE - The wait was well worth it.

The Warren Girls Minors all-star team rebounded from a Sunday loss and waited out a rain delay on Monday before claiming the Little League state championship with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Lehigh.

The feat was likely the first in history for a Warren County Little League team, not just for a 9-10-year old Little League girls softball team.

In this tournament, Warren left little doubt as to who had the best team in the state.

A month-long journey that began on July 11 with a postseason opening District 10 all-star victory was capped off on August 11 with a jubilant celebration on the Old Forge Little League infield.

"This whole experience has been amazing," said Warren coach Susan Loutzenhiser. "I really can't find the words to describe it. This is the best feeling in the world."

Loutzenhiser and her talented team rushed the field in celebration after Meghan Loutzenhiser, Susan's daughter, fired a third strike fastball to catcher Paige Wilson to record the final out.

"It feels great," said the younger Loutzenhiser about the feeling of being a state champion. "Beating West Point (the team that eliminated Warren in the tournament last season) is something I will remember and also the feeling when Paige caught the final strike and we celebrated with our team on the mound."

Wilson, the catcher on Monday and a key piece of Warren's one-two pitching punch, also was excited with the idea of being a state champ.

"The coaches really helped us a lot this season," said Wilson. "The hard work and practice also helped us play like we did."

With a team full of nine-year olds, Warren finished tied for third in the state in 2007 ultimately being defeated by West Point. This time around, Warren wouldn't be denied.

"The girls were the best part of this whole thing," said coach Loutzenhiser. "We've been with them day in and day out for two months now and I'm going to miss having them around so much."

Loutzenhiser also commented on the positive fan support Warren had in its corner throughout the postseason and she added that several parents, grandparents and fans had made the trip to Old Forge to lend their support.

Unlike many games in the month-long journey, Warren had to fight for its victory. After defeating Lehigh 14-0 on Friday and losing 2-0 on Sunday, this rubber match would be for all the marbles.

Warren and Lehigh were tied 0-0 after two and a half innings before Warren broke open the game with a four-run bottom of the third. Julie Jameson and Kathryn Lobdell led off the inning with bunt singles and Sidney Wallin loaded the bases with an infield single of her own.

Loutzenhiser was next and the powerful batter struck a ball to third where Lobdell was tagged out. Jameson scored on the play to give Warren a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Wilson doubled deep into the outfield scoring Wallin and Loutzenhiser and putting Warren in control.

Warren scored its fourth and final run of the game with two outs in the inning when a Deanna Hahn single brought home Wilson.

Lehigh battled back with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth, but it would get no closer. Loutzenhiser forced a weak groundout and then struck out the final two batters of the inning in the top of the sixth and the Warren celebration began in earnest.

Loutzenhiser struck out 11 batters for the contest and allowed just three hits while walking three.

In the case of Warren claiming this year's state championship - the numbers don't lie. Warren was dominant from the opening pitch to the final out.

The 9-10 year-olds finished with a 12-1 record and scored 117 runs in the postseason while allowing just 12. The hit totals were equally lopsided with Warren smacking 112 hits while allowing just 13.

The road to the title was paved with many memorable moments and numerous winning banners being trotted around the field. Warren claimed the District 10 title with a 24-0 victory over Fox Township on July 18 and backed up that performance with a Section 1 title win over Northwestern on July 27.

After winning the state qualifier with a 4-1 victory over Milton on August 3, Warren advanced to the state tourney where it compiled a 3-1 record, including Monday's pressure cooker victory.

The state title may have been played out over the course of one month, however, the prize has been in the minds of all involved since coming so close last season.

"Last year's loss was so hard because we were so close to winning," said Loutzenhiser. "After last season's tournament, we shed some tears of sadness and tonight it's tears of joy. This is all just really sweet."