The next day, the Waipahu game was going extremely well. Santana was 3 for 4, while Brittany was 1 for 4. She wasn't as lucky getting on base but her bunts were throwing the other team off which allowed runners to advance.
By the end of the 5th inning, the score was 13-2 and the girls had won in TKO fashion.
The team's spirits were at an all time high, not to mention their morale was peaking. It set them up to start the championship game in good spirits. But their hardest game was coming up, against one of the best teams on Oahu.
Radford was known for their cheerleading team, but this year's softball team was doing outstanding. The biggest upset of the tournament was Waimea (A school on Kauai, not the Big Island) beating Kamehameha Kapalama campus. Kamehameha was the number one seed in the tournament and were taken out by a team that was outer island. However, Radford shut them down in the semi-finals, advancing them to the Championship.
Brittany followed Santana and Rachel to the booth where all the athletic trainers were to make sure they got their ice before heading back to the hotel. Their game was the last of the day, so it was already early evening.
"No babe I promise, it's only a little sore. I'm still icing it aren't I?" Santana said as she got her ice bag wrapped on her shoulder by another school's athletic trainer. "Thank you." She told him before walking away.
"Okay I'm just making sure."
"I wouldn't do anything to screw up tomorrow for us, it's literally the biggest game any of us are going to play in." Rachel caught up to them. "Hey Rach, what- Have you called Q yet?"
"No I never, pretty soon I am." She replied. "My phone stay in my duffle that's why. Did you hear anything yet, Britt?"
Quinn's first game of their post-season tournament was today and it was already pretty late in Oklahoma so the game had to have been done.
"I didn't get anything from her either. Maybe she's waiting for you to call her."
The girls walked over to the team van's where Lani was waiting patiently in the driver's seat. Santana climbed into the passengers seat while Brittany and Rachel got in the back.
"Hey baby. Dad said good job today. He was able to watch the whole thing." She smiled at her daughter, knowing how much it hurt her that her dad wasn't able to make it to the tournament. "He wants you to call tomorrow morning before the championship game."
"Okay I will."
Once at the hotel, most of the team went down to the pool. Brittany wanted to get into the jacuzzi for a little while to relax her back. She walked down to with Kalei and Jen.
"Are you guys ready for tomorrow?"
"Fuck yeah, we are." Kalei replied. "Championship game my guy. I can't wait."
"When we win tomorrow and get that koa trophy? I'm gonna kiss it. It's gonna be the teams first championship in who knows how long. Have we ever won states before?"
Kalei stopped walking, looking up at the sky thinking. "I don't think so you know."
"Well maybe we'll make history then."
The group continued walking down to the pool. Kalei and Jen jumped in the pool first, while Brittany headed straight for the jacuzzi. She got in, slowly allowing her body to be engulfed by the hot water. It was nice. The night air was cool, which helped her be comfortable while she sat.
Brittany took a deep breath in, allowing her entire body to relax. She was really happy with how the game went today, regardless of her stats. All she wanted was to help her team win the championship. She knew how much it meant to them, and the obstacles they had to overcome to become the team they were today. If anyone deserved it- it was them.
About five minutes into sitting in the jacuzzi, her phone rang. It was Quinn.
"Hey Q!" She said as she answered. "How was your game today?"
"Terrible. We lost, Britt."
Brittany sat up straight. "Wait, what?"
"We lost, we're out of the tournament."
That explains why Quinn didn't call earlier, Brittany knew that after a huge loss she likes her space.
"Oh Q.."
"It's okay. We fought till the end, the other team was just better."
Brittany couldn't help but think that it was partially her fault. Yeah, she hadn't been there all year. But that was her team you know?
"I'm sorry, I should've been there." Brittany said.
"It's not your fault, you know that. But enough about me. How was your guys game?"
"We won today, tomorrow is our championship game. It's gonna be streamed online if you guys wanna watch."
"Oh you know we'll all be watching. The team is all going to Tina's after our game tomorrow, and with the time difference it should be perfect. We play in the morning that's why."
"Sweet. I'll send you the link when I get back to the room. I'm chillin' in the jacuzzi right now."
"How's the back? I know the girl tackling you yesterday must've hurt." Quinn knew.
"It's fine. Maybe a 3. But I mean, it's one more game. What harm can a 3 do?"
Santana woke up the next morning, looking around the room. This was it. Today was the championship game. Her heart started racing the moment she woke up. It was a mix of excitement and nerves. She stretched her arm, making sure that she wasn't sore.
Her shoulder had been doing really well, but she was afraid of reinjuring it again. It was always a lingering thought in the back of her mind and she tried not to let it get in the way of her performance. Today though, she wouldn't be holding back. She turned towards her girlfriend, who was still asleep on the bed next to her. Santana gently rubbed her back, carefully studying each muscle and ridge. She knew that the girl tackling her the other day at home plate tweaked her back a little. But Brittany was stubborn, almost as stubborn as herself. So she wasn't going to say anything. She hadn't been icing it either, which worried Santana.
"Hey." She said as she gently shook Brittany. "We gotta get ready babe."
Brittany slowly turned over, rubbing her eyes. When she opened them, she saw that Santana was looking right at her. They locked eyes, Santana immediately getting lost in Brittany's. It happened often, Santana couldn't help herself. They were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen in her entire life.
"Good morning." Brittany finally said, pulling Santana in for a kiss. "Let's get it. Championship day."
The team got ready and headed over to the field. Their game was the first of the day, followed by the Championship game for Division I.
The stadium was starting to fill up, there was about an hour until the game.
Coach Sue gave her usual speech before taking the field to warm up.
"Okay girls. Now I know that this is what we have been working towards for the last three years. You guys have come a long way since then, and I have all the confidence in the world that we can take home the trophy." The girls all cheered. "Alright. Let's get this warm up started."
Warm-up's went normally, the girls were now in batting practice. The stadium bleachers were nearly full now. The Radford team had an overwhelming amount of fans, a plus side to them being a team from Oahu. Honoka'a had a small amount of people behind their dugout. A combination of family and friends from both Big Island and Oahu.
"Okay guys bring it in." Santana was standing right outside the dugout. "Today is the day. We are gonna take that koa trophy home. Three years together have brought us here and we aren't going to let Radford stop us. Bring this home for the seniors, bring this home for you. Dragons on three. 1, 2, 3."
"DRAGONS!"
Everyone's adrenaline was pumping. The captains went to home plate to go over the rules with the umpires as always. After the meeting they came back into the dugout. Brittany was sitting on the bench putting her shin guards on when Rachel came over to help her.
"Hey, Quinn told me. Be careful okay?"
"I will. It isn't that sore, four maybe."
Rachel stopped and looked up at Brittany. "Britt.."
"I'll be fine I promise."
Brittany stood up and stretched a little. She wasn't going to let her back stop her from playing in this game. She wasn't going to let them down.
Santana walked over from the water jug. "Hey, I love you."
"I love you too babe. You got this." She said as she placed her hands on Santana's hips.
Before Brittany could walk out of the dug out, Santana stopped her. "If you need to switch babe, we can you know."
Brittany knew she was caught. "Quinn?"
"Yeah. She called Rachel and talked to both of us last night while you were still down at the pool with the girls." Santana helped Brittany adjust the catchers helmet so it was in the right spot. "I know you're strong. But I can switch with you if you need to okay?"
"Okay."
And with that, the Dragons took the field.
The first couple innings had been hectic, errors driving both teams mad. The score was 3-2 in the Dragons favor.
/
Quinn and the rest of the team were watching at the edge of their seats in Oklahoma. Tina's parents had a really nice projector that they used to show the game. Even though their season was over, they all wanted the Dragons to come out with the dub. They were yelling during every error, and cheering after every good hit. Quinn wanted them to win so badly, not just for Rachel. But for Brittany and Santana too. She had gotten close to the entire team during winter break and she knew how much they deserved the championship trophy.
/
"Two outs! Runner on second!" Echoed throughout the field. Rachel was behind in the count, 2-0. On the next wind up, the Radford player swung and sent the ball hard down the first base line. Santana stopped it, stepping on the bag and ending the inning.
Brittany had been having trouble maintaining her position at catcher. Her back was sore, and only felt better when she was standing straight up. It didn't help that Rachel was a little off today, so she found herself diving for rogue pitches. She never missed one, but it was definitely taking a toll.
She walked back into the dugout, taking her helmet off and placing it on the bench- then leaned on it. She took a deep breath in as an attempt to fix her composure before the rest of the team made it inside.
/
Quinn noticed the change in her demeanor. She couldn't see inside the dugout but she knew just from watching her on the field. She sat, hoping that her best friend would make the smart decision and switch out from catcher.
Clouds were starting to make it's way over the field, not allowing any sun rays to shine through. Honoka'a was still maintaining their lead. Long innings and time on the field were becoming unbearable for Brittany. At the bottom of the sixth, Brittany got off of the field and sat on the bench in the dugout. She didn't take anything off- only her glove that she had thrown on the grown near her feet.
Santana ran in, noticing that Brittany wasn't herself. She sat down next to her girlfriend, and placed her hand on her back gently. Brittany jumped at her girlfriend's touch, she was too concentrated on breathing. "Hey. We're switching."
Brittany didn't argue, she nodded in agreement. Santana took her helmet off and unhooked the straps that kept her chest protector in place.
"Come. Let's walk a bit, help you stretch a little." The girls stood up and walked out of the dugout. Brittany took that time to stretch a bit. "1-10?"
"Five." She replied.
"Okay. I'll talk to Coach, we can make the switch before we go back onto the field."
The girls turned around and walked back towards the dugout, watching as Wehi stepped into the batters box. She hit a solid grounder towards left, barely making it by the short stop. Santana helped Brittany take her shin guards off then handed her batting helmet to her.
"You gonna be okay baby?"
"I'll be fine. I promise." She replied as she grabbed her bat from the rack.
Rachel walked up to the batter box as Brittany took her spot in the circle. The first pitch was thrown, and Rachel let it go by.
"STRIKE!"
The crowd cheered.
Rachel set herself up again, preparing for the next pitch. It was a change up in the perfect spot. She swung, and it went straight over second base. The dugout was screaming, along with the girls in Oklahoma.
/
Santana's dad watched from his tent in country, as his daughters team was that much closer to winning their first ever State Championship.
/
Brittany walked up to the batters box now. Before stepping in, she turned towards Coach Sue. She gave her the signal to bunt. Brittany turned back towards the catcher, grabbing each end of the bat with both hands and used it to help stretch out her back.
She found her spot in the batters box and dug in, waiting for the pitch.
/
"Oh fuck, she's hurting." Janet said. Everyone's eyes were on the screen now, anxiously waiting for the first pitch.
Quinn watched as her bestfriend stepped into the batters box. The pitcher winded up and threw. It came straight down the center of the plate which gave Brittany the perfect opportunity to bunt. She squared up and lightly hit the ball. Quinn stood up, screaming.
"Run Britt!"
It was a perfect bunt down the first base line. Wehi made it safely to third and now all eyes were on the catcher's throw trying to beat Brittany to first.
The camera angle changed, and all they saw was Brittany running past first base.
"SAFE!" The umpire yelled.
The entire team cheered, with Quinn being especially loud.
"They got this."
Rain began to fall now, but that wasn't going to stop the game. The weather was something that the Dragons were accustomed to, which only made them feel like they were at home. It was the top of the seventh inning now, the score 5-4- Honoka'a up.
Brittany took her spot in outfield, while Santana reclaimed her rightful spot behind home plate. She felt good wearing her catchers gear again. Rachel took the mound, ready to start her warm up before the first batter came out. After a few pitches, Santana knew that it would be time for her to throw to second.
Rachel winded up, and the ball hit perfectly in Santana's glove. She hopped up, and threw to Wehi who was waiting for her throw. Brittany ran in a little to cover but she knew that Santana's throws were near to perfect. Wehi caught it and the entire infield ran towards the pitchers mound.
Angel and Jen met up with Brittany in center.
"All we have to do is hold them off, and that trophy is ours." Jen said as she hopped up and down.
Everyone had their fair share of nerves. The championship game was a close one. But the team had been in this situation before, so it was nothing new.
The girls returned to their positions and the inning began. The Dragons wanted to end the game right here and now.
Rachel winded up for her first pitch, the Radford player swung but missed. 0-1.
The next two were also strikes, which resulted in a strike out.
One out.
/
Quinn and the team in Oklahoma were at the edge of their seats. She watched as her girlfriend threw another strike. "God damn."
"She's really good Q." Tina told her. "You definitely undersold her to us."
Quinn smiled, knowing that her girlfriend was extremely talented. She was a little jealous, knowing that they were on the verge of winning their State Championship while her team was knocked out in the first round. But they had won that tournament in the past, and that was good enough for her. Her last game of her high school career was that morning and she found herself already missing the adrenaline that came with games.
/
Brittany was shaking out her nerves in center. She had missed outfield so much. Rachel was ahead in the count again, 0-2. It was like she had found her second wind, and her pitches were perfect. They were hitting every spot Santana set up for her. There were two outs, all they needed was the last out to end the inning.
The Radford player hit and it was a hard grounder to third, and made it safely to first before the throw. The second Radford player hit a blooper in shallow left field, allowing the runner on first to advance.
"Two outs! Runners on third and first!"
The rain was falling a little harder now, but that wasn't going to stop the team from getting their last out.
This was it. Either they got a out here, or they'd have to bat again.
Rachel threw, and the batter hit a solid grounder straight up the middle- nearly hitting her. The ball made it by Wehi, but Brittany was right there to scoop it up. Once she picked up, she realized that the runner from second was rounding third, and was taking off to home. She wasn't going to let that girl score. Brittany took a few steps then threw the ball straight to Santana who was waiting in front of home plate.
/
Quinn was standing up now. Everyone was completely quiet, watching as their former teammate made the long throw home. They all knew that Brittany had an arm, but she didn't always have the accuracy. Once the ball left her hand they were all out of their seats- eyes glued to the screen. The camera followed the ball home, hitting Santana's glove perfectly. She reached back, hoping to beat the runner to home plate.
"OUT!"
/
It was like a dream. Santana stood up, grabbing the ball out of her glove and holding it up in the air. Rachel dropped to her knees crying, knowing that the years of hard work had finally paid off. Santana threw her glove in the air and ran over to Rachel and jumped on her followed by the rest of the infield. Brittany and the outfielders joined in right after, piling onto the already high pile of bodies near the pitchers mound.
They won the State Championship.
Slowly they all got out of the pile. Santana found Brittany and pulled her in for a hug. Carefully of course, she didn't want to hurt her back more. When they released, Brittany looked her girlfriend in her eyes.
"You did it babe." She told her.
"No, we did it."
/
Quinn was still standing in the same position, her hands together like she was praying right up against her lips. The team was going crazy in the background, and all she could think of at that moment was the immense sense of pride knowing that her bestfriend, girlfriend and their team had just won their State Championship. She knew all along that they had it in the bag but there were a few close moments during the game. She knew that it would be a while before Rachel called her so she sat down on her chair and watched as the Dragons celebrated their first ever State Championship.
The teams shook hands, with the Dragons giving the Rams many reassuring words. It was a good game fought hard up until the very end. The awards ceremony was held right after, with the Koa trophy being handed to Coach Sue. She held it up and the crowd cheered. The crowd may have been in majority for the Rams but they recognized talent when they saw it.
This small school from the Big Island had just made history by winning their first ever State Tournament.
The photographer from a few newspapers wanted a team picture so they posed at home plate with the trophy. Santana and Brittany took a picture together to send to Santana's dad who was proudly watching from Afghanistan. Santana took a picture for Rachel who sent it off to Quinn.
"State champs, Rach." Santana said as the three of them walked over to the athletic trainer's booth. "If someone would've came up to us back during Freshman year and told us that this is what our senior year would be? I would've laughed."
"Nah, this?" Rachel wrapped her arms around Santana and Brittany. "This is exactly what I knew was gonna happen."
AN: WOOOOO! Okay. This was a fun chapter to write. I never went to States, and I'm not sure if my school has even made it past the first round of the tournament but hopefully they will one day.
This fic is slowly coming to an end, it has been a long long journey. Thank you for all the support! A few more chapters fam.