Kougars lock up first league title

Updated: May 12, 2011 11:32PM

So it took two days and a couple of short rain delays to reach the milestone.

After spending 18 years trying to win a conference title, capturing the Northwest Crossroads Conference title outright was extremely satisfying for Kankakee Valley’s softball team Thursday.

“We’ve never won a conference title until now — not ever,’’ KV head coach Brian Flynn said. “From the Northwest Hoosier Conference — then we were an independent for a short while — to the Lake 10 Athletic Conference, and then the NCC, it’s been a long time in the making. It’s taken us 18 years to have this kind of a day. It’s a big thrill for all of us.’’

The Kougars (17-2, 10-2) scored six runs in the top of the second inning — where Wednesday’s suspended game was halted — and cruised to a 7-1 league victory over Griffith (8-9, 4-8).

Ashley Dobson smacked the first home run of her career at any level — a three-run shot — scattered six hits and recorded nine strikeouts to capture her 11th win in 13 decisions.

“I’ve never hit a home run in my life,’’ Dobson beamed. “It’s my first one and it felt good. We came in today wanting to win the conference title. I just wanted to get a base hit there and get us off to a good start. It felt good to hit the home run. We wanted to win conference for ourselves and for them (Taylor Cavinder and (assistant coach Mike Hart), too.’’

Just before the 2010 sectional began, Cavinder and classmate Eric Sims, were killed in an automobile accident on a foggy country road.

Last July, assistant coach Hart, Flynn’s best friend, passed away from cancer and heart problems.

While Cavinder and Hart are gone, they’ll never be forgotten.

Cavinder’s No. 19 jersey and Hart’s coaching shirt hung on the fence inside the Kougars’ dugout Thursday — as they do at every game.

“We said ‘T-Cav’ in all our team huddles,’’ catcher Sam Sullivan said. “We always talk about them. They’re always with us and in our thoughts. Taylor would have loved this. She was a real competitor. She hated to lose. She’d be ecstatic right now and finally glad that we did it. Winning conference is a big accomplishment for us. We’ve never done anything like this in school history. It feels great. We don’t want to settle. We want to keep it going.’’

Shortstop Hillary Hoffman smiled when asked what Taylor Cavinder and Hart would have thought about KV’s accomplishment.

“It would be so exciting for them,’’ she said. “I know they’re definitely smiling right now.’’

Flynn, though, might have summed up the team’s feeling best.

“We just obviously wish they could be here to share it with us,’’ he said. “They’re here in our hearts. They’re definitely happy for us and pulling for us every single day.’’

Griffith coach Ed McLeod tipped his cap to his coaching colleague.

“I’m really happy for Brian and his program,’’ he said. “It’s a nice milestone for them. They really deserve it. He’s worked so hard to build that program. He’s a guy with a lot of class.’’

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