Liberty softball coach Bob Barber gives his daughter, Kayla, a congratulatory hug after the Hawks won the Valley Championship game.

Photo by: Tyler Takeda

Liberty pitcher Kayla Barber jumps into the arms of first baseman Carrie Wiegand after Wiegand made the final out of the game to win the Division V Valley Championship. Shae Ortega, right and Darrienne Schmall come in to join the celebration.

Photo by: Tyler Takeda

RIVERDALE - As the No. 10 seed in the Division V Central Section softball playoffs, the Liberty Hawks softball team wasn't given the respect they thought they deserved after playing a tough non-conference schedule and battling in the rugged North Sequoia League dominated by Division IV foes.

With that chip on their shoulder, the Hawks defeated No. 7 Woodlake, No. 2 Fowler, No. 3 Firebaugh and, finally, No. 1 Riverdale 5-3 in nine innings Thursday to capture the Central Section Division V Valley Championship.

"They were seeded last, but proved otherwise," head coach Leslie Wood said. "We are the top seed."

"We were underdogs the whole way," catcher Devin Kochergen said. "I'm speechless about us being the low seed. This is over the top amazing."

Note: The above article has been shortened from its published form in The Madera Tribune newspaper. For information about an online subscription, view http://maderatribuneredline.com/online-subscriptions/