By Micha Morris
On a muggy, June afternoon in Central Virginia, a group of girls from Broadway rewrote the history of Broadway High School Softball. Anchored by a group of four seniors and led by a junior record setter, the journey was complete and capped off with a storybook ending as the group hoisted the VHSL Class 3 State Championship Trophy to the sky in celebration.
Savannah Janzen, Emma Morris, Brooklyn Spitzer and Ashlyn Spitzer all burst onto the BHS Softball scene as freshman. A group that has played together through the Little League and travel ball circuits, it was time to take the big step under the bright lights on the Broadway High School Varsity Team. This would be the start of the journey, that would add additional pieces over the years, and pushed by longtime BHS Coach Becky Cantrell, the foundation of a state championship run began.
The Gobblers followed up a surprising run to the 2023 State Tournament with a repeat trip in 2024, losing at Christiansburg in the State Quarterfinals. But the back-to-back quarterfinal losses only made the Gobblers more motivated to advance further in June. Heading into the 2025 season Becky Cantrell had a series of goals in place. Return to the State Tournament; Host a State Playoff Game and Win a State Championship.
During the Preseason, Coach Cantrell did not mince words about her expectations, “This is the year.” Cantrell said when talking just weeks before the start of the season. But the 2025 season did not start as the team had envisioned as the Gobblers lost at home to Page County. However, the early loss did not deter the team, it only refocused the group and added fuel to an already raging fire. The Gobblers would win their next nine games, allowing a total of three runs in the process. As the season continued, the wins continued to pile up for the Gobblers. Fueled by Valley District Player of the Year, Lilah Deavers in the circle, the Gobblers, known for their gritty defense, timely hitting and aggressive baserunning finished the season regular season 18-4 and earned a first-round bye in the Region 3C Tournament.
“Just Give Me Five” became the rallying cry for Coach Cantrell, who simply asked the offense to give her five runs and let her Division 1 pitcher and gutsy defense do the rest. The Gobblers opened up the Region 3C Tournament as the three seed and hosted Fluvanna County in the Quarterfinals. Playing the game at James Madison University, due to rain in Broadway, the Gobblers struck early and often beating the Flucos 10-3. The Gobblers followed that up with a trip to Covington, VA in the Region 3C Semifinals against the second seeded Cougars of Alleghany High School. Once again, the Gobblers offense combined with the dominance of Lilah Deavers proved to be too much, as Broadway overpowered Alleghany, winning 10-0 and achieving the first goal of returning to the State Tournament. The win would also set up a Region 3C Championship Game Showdown against Valley District rival Turner Ashby. Once again, the Gobblers jumped out to an early lead. Capitalizing on early opportunities, the Gobblers grabbed and early 1-0 lead. The big blow for the Gobblers was a mammoth two-run home run by sophomore catcher Mattie Wolfe to put the Gobblers up 3-0 en route to a 4-0 win, ensuring that the second goal of hosting a State Quarterfinal game was achieved.
Hosting a State Playoff Game for the first time since 2012, the Gobblers welcomed Staunton River to Broadway, and in front of a raucous crowd, the Gobblers jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, and advanced to the State Semifinals with an 8-1 victory. Three days later the Gobblers faced New Kent in the State Semifinals at Fluvanna County High School in Palmyra. The back-and-forth game came down to the wire and it was one of those four seniors who came up the most timely at bat of the season. With the score tied 5-5 in the bottom of the seven inning, Junior Kaleigh Harper started the inning off with a single. After Harper advanced to third, New Kent Head Coach Maria Bates opted to intentionally walk Maddie Wolfe and Lilah Deavers, bringing Senior Emma Morris to the plate with bases loaded and one out. Calmly, Emma lifted a fly ball to centerfield allowing Harper to score on the Sacrifice Fly, pushing the Gobblers to victory and sending them to the Championship Game, where awaiting them was, who else, Turner Ashby.
With an overflow crowd on hand, the Gobblers and Knights put on an epic battle in the State Championship. Broadway would score early on a Sac Fly in the bottom of the first inning. The Knights would answer with a pair of home runs, bringing the game to a pivotal moment in the fifth inning As the Gobblers faithful were looking for reason to explode, Maddie Wolfe stepped to the plate and the sophomore once again delivered with a two-run single to right field to give the Gobblers a 4-3 lead that they would not relinquish. As the game moved to the Top of the 7th inning, Lilah Deavers again went to work, striking out the leadoff batter for TA for her 7th strikeout of the game, moving her to the top of the Career Strikeout list at BHS. But the work wasn’t done. With two outs in the inning and the tying run on base, Deavers took a one-hopper right back up the middle, the junior snagged it and calmly tossed it over to Savannah Janzen and with that a thunderous roar went up for the third base dugout and bleachers as the Gobblers had captured their first State Softball Title in School history.
“Winning the state championship is something I dreamed of as a little girl. Growing up watching Broadway Softball, I always looked up to the players. If younger me could see me now, she would be absolutely blown away by this accomplishment.” Junior Lilah Deavers said.
When asked what the State Championship means to Senior Brooklyn Spitzer, “This team has continuously been under looked, this amazing group of girls and coaches finally received what was deserved.”
A True Team Championship
The four seniors will leave a lasting legacy at Broadway High School. But the last four years did not come without tests and tears. There were injuries and tough losses, but not only did the four seniors grow together, they embraced additional players into their sisterhood. “It was such a privilege to play with such deserving and incredible people. Our bonds grew beyond the field, each and every teammate has such a pure soul and we all connected. Winning with these people showed how much we love each other and how deserving each individual was. We created a lifelong family.” Senior Ashlyn Spitzer said.
Savannah Janzen echoed those thoughts, “This group is genuinely so special and feels like family. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to leave my time at Broadway High School and make history.”
“To win it with the girls I grew up with and played ball with since I was little is very special to me and I wouldn’t have wanted any other outcome with anyone else. They’re like family to me and always will be.” Emma Morris said.
“We believed in one another. I’m happy to call them family, and grateful to end my season with so many faithful girls.” Brooklyn Spitzer recounted.
Adding Pieces to Complete the Puzzle
While the four seniors set the foundation, they added additional pieces to the core. Including a Division I Pitcher in Lilah Deavers, speedy junior outfielders Kaleigh Harper and April Gingerich and a rising star in sophomore Maddie Wolfe.
“It means even more to win it with my teammates and coaches because we are all so close since we have been playing ball together since we were little. It feels so great to accomplish something with my teammates that I’ve grown up playing ball with and it’s definitely something I’ll cherish and never forget!” Gingerich said.
Fellow junior Kaleigh Harper looked back on the championship season, “It means everything to me because we having been working so hard to get to this point and how we have been playing together since we were younger. Everyone always has each other’s backs at all times, the girls are like sisters to me.”
Maddie Wolfe who came up with big hit after big hit throughout the entire season said “Softball has such a big place in my heart so being able to play the sport I love and accomplish something so amazing is such a blessing. The group of girls on the team this year all share the passion for the sport and we all have such good friendships so being able to share this with them is so amazing.”
Valley District Player of the Year Lilah Deavers will cherish all of the memories made throughout the season, “I wouldn’t have wanted to win the state championship with any other team. These girls have so much passion and dedication for the game, and I’m grateful to have played alongside them. I’ve said it many times this year our team is like sisters. We lift each other up so easily, and I know any of those girls would go to battle for me, just as I would for them. One of my favorite memories from the entire state tournament was the bus ride home with my girls. Being able to savor our victory and reminisce about our moments together as a team is something I will cherish for a lifetime. Tears were definitely shed for our seniors, who became very special to me, and I’m glad we could send them off with a bang.”
Cantrell Gets a Ring
Becky Cantrell says she doesn’t have trophies or plaques hanging at her house, but the veteran dugout voice will add a few more pieces or hardware to her hidden collection. Cantrell followed up her Valley District Coach of the Year Selection with a Region 3C Coach of the Year Award and more importantly, after nine state playoff appearances in her illustrious career, she finally gets a State Championship Ring. But for Cantrell it’s about the connection she has with her players that makes the championship so special. “I never wanted it for a group more.” Cantrell said just minutes after the final out. “I’m just so happy to see them go out on top… I couldn’t want anything better.”
The players also have great appreciation for Cantrell and her staff.
“Playing for coaches who fully trust my abilities is something I will never take for granted. Becky always encourages us to play like we’re ten years old, reminding us to enjoy the game. Who wouldn’t want to play for a coach like that and win a state championship together?” Deavers said. “I’m extremely grateful for mine. Becky always says she coaches for the girls and to ensure we have fun. She never takes credit for our hard work but instead encourages us to be the best versions of ourselves. I am truly honored to stand beside Becky and say she is my coach. Even more so, I am honored to win a state championship with her and all of our coaches.” She continued.
“Our coaching staff is so supportive and keep amazing energy so having them help support us plays a huge part in our success. I’m very blessed to be able to share the field with such an amazing group of girls and staff!” Maddie Wolfe said.
The 2025 Broadway Softball Team will go down in history, but it was the journey to get to the top that will forever be remembered. In the words of Ashlyn Spitzer, “It’s not just about the trophy or the recognition, but about the journey we took as a team, the bonds we forged, and the memories we created along the way. It was a moment of pure joy and drive knowing that we accomplished something truly special together.”
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