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JAY, Fla. — Hard work pays off.

Northview’s Lady Chiefs beat Jay 4-1 to capture the FHSAA Class Rural Regional Championship for the first time in school history tonight on the road.

The Lady Chiefs broke a scoreless game in the top of the third with three runs and scored another in the fourth. NHS held on the rest of the way with solid pitching and good infield and outfield defense.

NHS head softball coach Amy Holland said it’s an emotional high not only winning the region title, but making it to state.

“Even with a young team at that, these girls worked very hard,” Holland said. “The coaches (hitting coach John McAnally and pitching coach Shaun Tindall) worked very hard. They deserved it. They came out swinging, and came out on top. We’ve got a lot to look forward to, and a lot to look forward to down south.”

With the victory, the Lady Chiefs advance to the Class Rural Final Four, where they’ll face Liberty County at 10 a.m. EST on May 20 at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, Fla. Longwood is north of Orlando, Fla.

Holland said the girls are resilient, and work together, adding that they may fight like sisters, but on the ball field, they’ve got each other’s backs.

Northview’s Mikayla McAnally allowed one earned run on three hits, allowed one walk and struck out nine in a complete game to earn the win in the circle for the Lady Chiefs.

Between innings in the final frame, McAnally said it was special to throw warm up pitches with her dad.

“Yes, it was a moment to be cherished,” Mikayla said.

During the top of the third, left fielder Jamison Gilman reached on a single to right. She advanced on a Kylee Langham single to left to give the Lady Chiefs two on with an out. The bases then loaded with a Bailey Burkette walk.

The Lady Chiefs got on the board with an RBI double by Daviona Randolph to score Gilman. Langham was out advancing home on the play.

NHS took a 3-0 lead on a two-run single by Avery Stuckey with two outs.

During the fourth inning, Riley Brooks scored on a sac fly. Brooks stole third base to set up the fourth run of the game. She also grabbed a line drive in the bottom of the sixth.

Eight Lady Chiefs had one hit each during the contest, including Gilman, Langham, Burkette, Randolph, Stuckey, McAnally, Brooks and Addysen Bolen. Stuckey had two RBIs, and Aubrey Hadley had one RBI.

Jay’s Kiley Samford, Morgan Barrow and Mylee Frazier had one hit each to lead the Lady Royals.

Northview’s hitting coach said the girls hit the ball right at the opponent.

“They were hitting right at the fence, and we lost a couple of runs,” John said. “We lost a couple of runs. We didn’t quit swinging. We had a couple of hit and runs. That’s what they’ve been doing all year.”

John said his daughter has been a work horse all year, adding that if she’s one, she’s good in the circle, but the team has Gilman to step in if needed.

Gilman said it still doesn’t feel real that the team made it to the Final Four.

“I don’t think it’s clicked in that we’re going to go to state this year,” Gilman said. “We’ve worked really hard to get to where we are. Finally, the hard work has paid off.”

Gilman said she’s thankful she has a team that’s behind her as the lone senior. She added that the whole team has prepared mentally and physically for this moment.

Additionally, Gilman said the team prays together, prays individually, before and after every game and practice.

“He always helps us go in with clear minds,” she said.

And full hearts.