OMAHA — It was 372 days ago when Bishop Neumann walked off Connie Claussen Field as Class C runner-up.
On Monday, the No. 2 Cavaliers captured their third state championship in program history, defeating No. 6 DC West 4-0.
Bishop Neumann also won titles in 2017 and 2021.
“It's just a great feeling,†Bishop Neumann coach David Brabec said. “It's just awesome to complete something we wanted to complete last year and now these girls got their dream come true by finishing out the season with a championship and the seniors get to walk out champs. It's just awesome.â€
After the final out, Brabec turned to his team in the middle of celebration hugs and asked, “Was it worth it?â€
“All the extra hitting and extra pitches we throw — we pitch live to them every day,†Brabec said. “I think my arm's got a million balls thrown on it this year and it's time for some rest, but we've got to celebrate this. It's just a great feeling we got where we wanted.â€
Bishop Neumann junior Addison Sylliaasen overcame eight hits from the Falcons with five strikeouts and allowed just one walk over seven innings to boost the Cavaliers in the title game.
“We had to change our approach a little bit — we went more off-speed,†Brabec said. “They were just sitting fast (ball), trying to hit something out so we went off speed and (Sylliaasen) started spotting up hitting her spots and it was awesome. She's just a trooper out there and in command of the game.â€
DC West finished with eight hits to the Cavaliers' four, but Bishop Neumann made them count when they needed it.
A triple from Aubree Milliken helped Bishop Neumann take an early 2-0 lead in the second inning after Ana Fisher bunted into a fielder's choice and later scored on Grace Ryan's single.
Bishop Neumann had the dagger in the sixth behind some big swings from its seniors.
Jill Johnson doubled to score Adelyn Zwick, who reached on a single, and an error off the bat of Bridget Whitney allowed Johnson to cross the plate and put Bishop Neumann in full control.
“This group of seniors is just amazing,†Brabec said. “We had our last practice with a little send-off the other day. It was hard having that last practice with them, but this is great — just finishing the year with a championship.â€
DC West finished with its best season in school history at 27-9 and a runner-up finish in its first state tournament appearance.
Sydney Atkins allowed just four hits and struck out seven behind one walk in her final outing in the circle for DC West and Bailey Anderson finished with two doubles to lead the Falcons' offense.
“This program has a lot to grow off of,†DC West head coach Ady Watts said. “This is just the start of it for them. Our seniors did a great job of helping us make history for our program and put DC West on the map from where it has been in the past. They left a very fantastic legacy of their own.â€
Photos: Sights from Day 2 of the Nebraska high school softball tournament — Oct. 17