Thunder Basin Wins Back-to-Back State Softball Titles

Thunder Basin won their second straight softball state championship on Saturday by beating Cheyenne East 9-8 in Gillette.

Both teams got off to a hot start. The Bolts got 6 runs in the first inning with Caitline Kaul's 2 RBI single and a grand slam from Kalissa Terrell. Cheyenne East struck back with two 2-run home runs from Trista Stehwien in the first and second innings to tie things up 6-6.

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In the fourth inning, Emma Kimberling hit the fourth home run of the game, a 2-run shot to put Thunder Basin up 8-6 over the T-Birds. Then, Taylor Hollibaugh for Cheyenne East hit an RBI double to bring them within one. Gracie Oswald tied it up with an RBI single to make it 8-8 in the sixth.

At the top of the seventh inning, Terrell hit the game-winning RBI single to secure the win for the Bolts. Cheyenne East tried to rally in the bottom of the inning but was unable to bring anyone home.

The Bolts win back-to-back championships and finished 22-4.

Cheyenne East finished 21-7 after beating Campbell County earlier on Saturday, 10-6, to make it to the championship game. This was the Thunderbirds' best finish at the state tournament.