April 4, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Community rallies around girls state win
The Hauser girls, fresh off their 4-1 win over Carroll at Ben Davis High School headed back tow town in their stretch pick-up truck limo trailed by about twice as many cars as they had heading up to the game that morning. By the time they reached the Hope Town Square, they had added Clifford and Hope volunteer fire trucks and a police escort.
After a victory lap around the Smoke on the Square festivities, they headed to a pep rally with their adoring fans.
Coach Craig Sims called out each girl individually, listing their accomplishments, strengths and occasional comebacks.
Earlier in the week, Sims had cited the team's grit as a major contributor to their sucess -- the ability to press on through adversity. After the pep rally, he said that really came through during the game.
"I will be the first one to tell you that I was nervous," Sims said. "I didn't see it out of the girls. I felt like they were confident the whole way, but I was nervous there in the fifth (inning) when they got bases loaded and we had two outs and right at the top of their lineup. But we found a way to get out of it. Tessa (Sims) pitched out of a jam there and made a couple plays.
"And they got the offense going. It was like they knew it was time to go, or to go home and they did just that."
Sims said he was extremely proud of the team and the community.
"This community and these girls, it is something special," Sims said. "It is something to cherish. We will remember it for a long time."
Hauser Athletic Director Dave Irvine said the great community support was important to the team and the school.
"This town has always been supportive of our teams, whether it be basketball or volleyball or softball, baseball -- anything." Irvine said. "They have always been very supportive and that is something that we are very proud of too. You can't put a price on it."
Irvine said the state championship was a validation of all the teams over the years, some of which struggled.
"I think back, this is for all the girls who have played Hauser softball over the years," Irvine said. "They have all contributed in a way to this and this is a way to thank them. Because there were some lean years, where we took a beating. But this team built on what they were able to do and they have gotten stronger and stronger as the years have gone by and we are proud of them."
Greg Sims also praised the support of the fans, saying he had heard that the parade of cars on the way back stretched over a mile long. Sims, a Hope Town Council member, is father to the team's coach and grandfather to two players, Tess and Leslie Sims.
"Hats off to the community for their support," he said.[[In-content Ad]]
