HENRY COUNTY, Illinois — The Ridgewood Spartans softball team made history this season.
On Saturday, the team won its first state championship title against the Illini Bluffs in Class 1A. Not only was it a first for the softball program, but it was the first time a Ridgewood sports team has won a state title ever, at either Cambridge or Alwood High Schools.
"So many emotions, happy thoughts. I'm so happy to be here and enjoy this moment with my team," junior Gabby Dean said. "We worked so hard from day one. I said first day of practice, I was going to be a state champion along with my team and that's what we did."
The Spartans took a 3-1 lead over the Tigers at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
13 might be famously known as an unlucky number, but for senior Mya Brown, it was just the opposite. Her 13th strikeout of the game helped secure the Class 1A state title for the Spartans.
"We've been dreaming of this since we were in seventh grade, I'm sure even some before that," Brown said. "I've been playing with these girls for so long so being able to win and do it for them really means a lot."
Head Coach Renae Leander took over the softball program back in 2015 and it would take seven years before the team had a winning season — making the state title all that more rewarding.
"To put on your vision board 12 years ago to take a small town that never had the softball culture and actually accomplish it...so much kudos to the girls and the coaches that I have in this program," Leander said. "I just hope they never forget this moment for the rest of their lives."
Watch more news, weather and sports on News 8's YouTube channel