Forney HS softball team wins state title, one year after teammate's death

The Forney High School Lady Jack Rabbits are state champions in softball, defeating Richmond Foster 4-to-1 Saturday. The win comes just one year after teammate Emily Galiano was killed, when a teammate backed over her at a dinner.

The final 5A game ended with an incredible catch of a foul ball. It’s the first state title for the school in 122 years.

“It was a fitting end to what was a great season for us,” said Head Coach Pat Eitel.

The road to the win didn’t come easy. The team dedicated last season to Emily Galiano after her death, but they lost to The Colony before they could get to state.

Emily’s sister, Madison Galiano, played for the team as well.

“We took the feeling of last year of that defeat and we never wanted to feel that feeling again. So, we used it this year to help us push us to never feel that defeat feeling again,” she said.

The team came back this year with more determination than ever. Their motto: Finish Strong.

 “I think we were stronger and mentally there this year and we wanted to finish what we started last year and we definitely did it,” said team member Savannah Desrochers.

Coach Eitel says Emily was with them every step of the way, “I was on third base and I sat there and I said Em, your buddy's down there and she's fixing to get a big hit for you and she did.”

The team dedicated countless hours to the goal of getting to the state championship. Not for themselves, but for Emily.

“It was just like everything we've been working for just all came to one touch of a trophy, it was awesome,” said team member Sam Corker.

The Play for Em Foundation was established shortly after Galiano’s death. It’s awarded dozens of scholarships to local graduating seniors this year.