FRANKTON — Lapel softball Coach Scott Rich stood on the diamond overlooking the revelry of his team, fans and family members minutes after the Bulldogs had defeated Alexandria-Monroe 3-2 for the sectional title.

The emotion of the moment was clearly visible on his face. “It’s been a long time coming,” Rich said.

The Bulldogs hadn’t won a sectional since 2009.

Despite being overcome with tears from their triumph, senior Kylie Rich knew the process had just begun.

“I’m thinking about regionals. I’m thinking about the next game. I’m thinking about this win, but I’m also thinking about what we can keep doing,” Kylie Rich said.

Rich started off in the bottom of the first inning with a walk. Like many games before, Rich broke for second base in attempt to steal. The Tigers overthrew and Rich moved on to third. Another Tiger throwing error sent Rich across the plate for a 1-0 Bulldog lead.

With pitcher Chloe Bousman in the circle, and the Bulldog defense backing her up, Lapel kept the Tigers off the scoreboard for three more innings. Alexandria’s Tristen Dunn singled to centerfield. Alliiyah Bair’s sacrifice bunt moved her to second, and Kaitlyn Bair’s to-the -ence double scored Dunn to tie the game.

When Madisyn Standridge hit a ground ball to shortstop Lily Daniels, Daniels’ throw missed the mark at first base and Bair was able to cross the plate and put the Tigers on top 2-1.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Rich singled to left field. She stole second and darted for third on a catcher’s passed ball. Addie Bailey grounded the ball to Tiger pitcher Kendall Parker. Parker tagged Rich out, and the Bulldog were in two-out territory.

Coach Scott Rich contested the call, contending Rich’s path to third was blocked, but the official stood by his call and Coach Rich expressed his displeasure.

“I did not keep calm, and I didn’t want the team to feed off of me.”

He called time to talk with Ashlynn Allman, who was up to bat and had struck out her two previous appearances.

He told her not to feed off him.

Allman kept her cool.

From the crack of the bat, there was no questioning the ball in play was a homerun over the left-centerfield fence. The two-RBI blast scored Bailey and gave the Bulldogs the final 3-2 lead.

While many assumed the game would be a slugfest, each team had just six hits apiece.

Bousman was all smiles through the tears.

“I’ve been waiting my whole career for this. We’ve worked so hard,” she said.

She again went the distance for the third game in as many days for the Bulldogs.

“I was nervous going into it because every team is a really good hitting team,” Bousman said. “I knew I had to hit my spots, but even if I didn’t I  knew my team was behind me.”

Coach Rich couldn’t have been happier with Bousman.

“She’s been with us for four years. She’s been more positive and more confident than I think she has any year.”

Kylie Rich attributed part of their success to their psychological conditioning.

“We kept our mental attitude up. We’ve been struggling from the beginning of the year, and we just kept it, and we’re going to keep it up.”

The Bulldogs play host to Tipton in the regional game at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28.