DONIPHAN -- Doniphan's dream of a first-ever district title in softball started like a nightmare Friday when the first four Willow Springs batters circled the bases.
But a four-run deficit only made the celebration more emotional after the Donettes rallied for an 8-5 win to claim the MSHSAA Class 2 District 2 championship at Quick Creek Park.
Junior pitcher Kaylee Davis shook off the rough start and allowed one run over the final six innings. She also delivered the biggest hit of the day -- a bases-loaded double in the fifth to turn a 4-2 deficit into a lead that the Donettes never relinquished.
The district title is the first in the 23-year history of the program.
"I knew I had to be my best today and my nerves got to me (in the first)," said Davis, whose game-winner narrowly missed clearing the left-center fence. "When I was running down the line, I thought it was out of the park and started to slow down," she said.
Doniphan fans, watching their team host a district tournament for the first time, were on their feet and screaming as Davis reached second base and waited to be replaced with a courtesy runner.
"Yes, I noticed," Davis said.
Doniphan (18-4) will face District 1 champ Ava (14-7) at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the first round of the state playoffs. The game will be played at Ava, about 150 miles west of Doniphan.
"We'll start Monday focusing on what's next but I'm going to enjoy this one for a couple of days," said Donettes coach Brad Eddington. "Everybody had a part in winning this game. This is a truly awesome experience."
Top-seeded Willow Springs (17-8) was attempting to win its third consecutive district title. The Bears eliminated the Donettes 10-0 in last year's semifinals.
A repeat looked to be in the works when the Bears put together three hits, two walks and a hit batter in the first inning to score four times. But eight defensive errors helped open the door for a Donettes' rally that started with single runs in the second and third.
With the top of the order batting in the fifth, the Donettes turned the momentum around.
Timberly Masching reached on an error. Lexi Day singled. Paige Eddington walked to load the bases for Davis' big blast.
Doniphan added two more runs before the inning was over. Olivia Creutz, the courtesy runner for Davis, stole third and scored when the catcher's throw went into the outfield.
Madison Eddington singled, move to second on an error and scored to push the lead to 7-4 when Hannah Ponder delivered an RBI single with one out.
Paige Eddington, the Donettes' all-state shortstop, was walked all four trips to the plate. In two district tournament games, she walked seven times in eight trips and homered the only time the opposition elected to pitch to her against East Carter.
With two out in the sixth, Eddington drew her fourth walk. Davis followed with a hard single to center and Eddington circled the bases for the final run when an outfielder struggled to pick up the ball.
Doniphan finished with nine hits including two each from Day, Davis, Madison Eddington and Ponder.
The district title was the first for a Doniphan High School team in any sport since 2008 and the first in a sport other than basketball since 1986.
Since 2014, a group of supporters led by Brad Eddington have worked to complete the Quick Creek Park playing field on a hilltop east of the high school campus. A large portion of the financial support has come through donations and team fundraisers.
"I want the people in Doniphan to know that this district title is for them," said Coach Eddington. "They believed enough to support the program when it was something that wasn't very good. This championship plaque is for the community of Doniphan."
CUTLINES
Doniphan's Lexi Day celebrates with teammate Jaylin Dutton following Friday's 8-5 win over top-seeded Willow Springs to win the Class 2, District 2 softball title at Doniphan.
Paige Eddington (3) joins her teammates to celebrate after accepting the Class 2, District 2 championship plaque following Friday's 8-5 win over Willow Springs.
Paige Eddington slides safely into second base with a steal against the Willow Springs Bear.