Warren East’s Jeyda Bays (center) celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run in Saturday’s game against Butler at Jack C. Fisher Park in Owensboro.

OWENSBORO – It was a weekend to remember for the Warren East softball team, which soared to new heights in the Owensboro Health/KHSAA State Softball Tournament with a runner-up finish.

It was the best finish in school history in fast-pitch softball, a three-day journey that included four wins – one against previously unbeaten East Carter and newly crowned Miss Softball Montana Fouts – and highlight reel plays, including a home run-robbing catch by freshman center fielder Lucy Patterson that was featured on ESPN Sportscenter’s top plays Saturday.

It’s a run that coach Philip McKinney said won’t just be remembered by the current players, but future players as well.

“There are a lot of little kids up here that are in 8-and-under or 10-and-under (teams) and a lot of kids up here on our middle school team,” McKinney said after Friday’s win against Central Hardin that guaranteed the Lady Raiders a top-three finish. “That’s where they want to be. In 2015, some of our eighth-graders and freshmen and sophomores, that is where they wanted to be. It’s such a big deal for our program – for any program.”

The state tournament success could be a prelude for the Lady Raiders, who return eight starters from Saturday’s championship game against Scott County next season. Two of the starters, pitcher Katie Gardner and first baseman Jeyda Bays, were named to the Class 2A all-state first team Sunday.

With so many players who were a factor in this run, the Lady Raiders are hopeful that it can lead to bigger things next season – much like last season’s loss in the Region 4 title game served as the springboard for this year’s team.

“I expect the same run, but nothing is guaranteed,” Bays said. “We just have to put in the work in the offseason to make it to our potential.”

Patterson took the expectations one step further.

“I think this right here will push us to get the championship next year,” Patterson said.

McKinney said high expectations are nothing new for this program, which has played for a region title in three of the last four years – winning twice.

“That’s every year because that is how we are going to play,” McKinney said. “That’s how I am going to coach and that’s how these girls are going to be coached. It’s not like, ‘Oh well, look what we have (coming back),’ that’s every year. Monday we have middle school practice. We have to get to coaching again.”

Catcher Ashton Akins, one of four seniors who played in their last game Saturday, said she made sure to tell the returning players to appreciate what they have accomplished – but also to use it to motivate them for next year and beyond.

“I told them every day to enjoy it because it goes by quick,” Akins said. “Next year is (Katie’s) year. It’s her senior year. She was a big part of where we are right now.

“Emma Markham coming up as an eighth-grader, and she’s going to be a freshman next year. Harley Stringfield is going be a sophomore behind the plate next year. They have got a big future ahead of them.”

McKinney, Lee also earn all-state selections

Two other local players were named to all-state teams announced Sunday.

Butler County’s Tori McKinney was an honorable mention all-state selection in Class A, while Glasgow’s Amanda Lee was an honorable mention all-state selection in Class 2A.{&end}