LAWRENCE — For the last two seasons, Silver Lake walked off the field one win short of its ultimate goal. Twice the Eagles reached the Class 3A state championship game. Twice they left empty-handed.
On Saturday at Arrocha Ballpark, there was finally a different ending.
Behind a dominant effort from junior pitcher Riley Mohler and a team that refused to let another opportunity slip away, Silver Lake defeated Southeast of Saline 4-0 to capture the Class 3A state softball championship — the program’s first state title since 2018.
The victory ended years of heartbreak for the Eagles, who had fallen in the title game the previous two seasons before finally breaking through to finish 28-4.
“All of them are special and getting a chance to play in this game is special,” Silver Lake coach Nick Hamilton said. “Seeing these girls, especially these seniors, finish on the right note has been a privilege.”
For senior leaders Kailyn Hanni and Taylor Swygert, the championship represented the payoff after years of waiting. Both had been four-year varsity players and experienced the sting of falling short on the biggest stage.
Silver Lake captured its first state softball title since 2018.
“Honestly, this is all surreal,” Swygert said. “I guess the third time is a charm is the best way to put it. We’ve been in this situation so many times and we just finally put it all together to bring home this title.”
Mohler made sure there would be no repeat disappointment.
The Silver Lake junior turned in a championship-caliber performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just four hits and striking out four. After carrying the Eagles through victories over Colby (10-0) in the opening round and Haven (12-6) in the semifinals, Mohler delivered one final gem when it mattered most.
“Honestly this feels great,” Mohler said. “We have worked hard all season. We have had some tough losses along the way, but we wanted to put it all out there and show what we have. I think we showed a lot (Saturday).”
Hamilton said Mohler cemented her place among the program’s elite pitchers.
Silver Lake junior Riley Mohler pitched a complete game shutout in the Eagles' 4-0 victory Saturday over Southeast of Saline in the 3A title game.
“Riley has done a great job this season,” Hamilton said. “She’s had some big shoes to fill. For those that follow Silver Lake softball, we have had some amazing pitchers in the ring. I think she just put herself in that same category as those other girls.”
Silver Lake broke through in the third inning.
After loading the bases, Paige Heiman worked a walk to force in the game’s first run and give the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Southeast of Saline threatened multiple times to answer. The Trojans put two runners on in both the fourth and fifth innings, but Mohler never blinked, stranding the threats to preserve the slim advantage.
“My defense is one of a kind,” Mohler said. “I have been on very few teams that have had a great defense like we have this year. We work really great as a team and it shows on the field that we are a family.”
Silver Lake finally found breathing room in the sixth.
Mohler, Mckenna Harris and Audrey Kirk delivered three straight singles, with Mohler eventually coming home to score. Pinch-runner Peyton May crossed on a wild pitch before Kirk later scored on a passed ball to extend the lead to 4-0.
Southeast of Saline shortstop Reese Heinrich tags out a Silver Lake runner Saturday during the 3A title game.
Southeast of Saline junior pitcher Karlie Zurfluh, who helped lead the Trojans to the No. 1 seed and a 26-2 finish, struck out six while pitching a complete game in defeat. Vada Durfee also led the Trojans with a pair of hits, including a double.
Silver Lake pieced together its offense without an extra-base hit. Saylor Liggatt paced the Eagles with two hits and a walk, while Hanni reached base twice, stole three bases and scored a run.
Hamilton said the Eagles’ focus throughout the season was simple.
“We had an emphasis this year of just do your job,” Hamilton said. “When things got tough, that is what you have to focus on. Softball and baseball is that type of game. You have to leave everything else out of it but what you have to do in the moment and our girls did that.”
Silver Lake senior Kailyn Hanni runs down a ball in centerfield on Saturday in Lawrence.
The championship was especially memorable for Hanni, though she barely had time to celebrate it.
Silver Lake’s leadoff hitter and center fielder quickly packed up after the title game and headed to Wichita for the state track meet. Only hours after helping secure a softball championship, Hanni earned a third-place medal in the javelin with a personal-best throw of 129 feet, 7 inches to close her high school career. Earlier this year, she signed to play basketball at Fort Hays State next season.
“I am never going to stop that girl from competing,” Hamilton said. “I am sure we are going to hear from her at Fort Hays next year. She is a great athlete.”
Swygert said the team understood just how much the moment meant after waiting four years for it.
“Kailyn and I have waited four years for this moment and it has been a long time coming for us,” Swygert said. “It stinks that she can’t be here with us, but she is going to compete at another state event. It is super awesome to see her go do that and all us seniors are super excited.”
Silver Lake teammates surround pitcher Riley Mohler after the Eagles won the Class 3A state title Saturday.
The title also completed a remarkable school year for Silver Lake athletics, as the Eagles captured state championships in volleyball, girls basketball and softball.
“Everyone always tells us that this kind of success is expected and it is something that Silver Lake does,” Swygert said. “The fact we actually got it done is pretty awesome.”