The University Christian softball team is the best in the state again.
The Christians beat Geneva Classical 4-1 to win the Class 1A state championship for the second time in school history on Wednesday night in Longwood. UC has been exceptional at reaching the state series round under longtime coach Keith Stroud. They played for championships in 2016, 2021, ’22 and ’24, and won their only crown in 2023.
Stroud began scheduling more difficult games over the past 10 years and that has paid off come playoff time.
Dixie Tessier kept Geneva’s bats in check, running into just one tight spot in the top of the sixth. Geneva pushed in its lone run and had the tying run at the plate before Tessier escaped the one-out jam and never looked back. She whiffed five in the game.
Offensively, UC struck early and made it stick.
In the bottom of the first, Sinai Tunsill reached on a throwing error that allowed Lydia Smith to score for a 1-0 lead. Piper Tessier’s line out to left field was deep enough to allow Tunsill to score. UC opened things up again in the third inning. Elissa Murdock ripped a ball down the line in left to push in Tunsill. Piper Tessier followed with a single that pushed in Murdock. That 4-0 lead was more than enough for Dixie Tessier in the circle.