OXFORD — Morgan Stiles couldn’t quite find the words. Neither could teammate Lily Lowery.

But after several grueling hours at Choccolocco Park — almost all of which their Athens softball team spent duking it out with Hartselle — surely no one could blame them for trying their hardest to process in dirt-stained uniforms their recent on-field accomplishment.

Perhaps fittingly, though, the two teenagers — both sporting mile-wide grins that did little to hide joy rightly reserved for special moments — kept it short and sweet.

“Absolutely unreal,” Stiles said.

“Insane,” Lowery added. “Nobody thought we’d be here.”

Maybe not. 

But what nobody can deny is that the Golden Eagles are, without a doubt, back on top.

Athens stormed ahead with an eight-run fifth inning on Wednesday and used every ounce of grit and determination to hold off the Tigers down the stretch for a 12-9 victory and the program’s second Class 6A state title in the past three seasons.

“I’m speechless right now,” said Stiles, a senior. “For everyone on this team … it’s more than just a softball game for us. We really wanted to give it all we had, and now, it’s a dream come true. I just couldn’t ask for a better ending. For all of us to experience this — it’s once in a lifetime.”

For Athens coach Travis Barnes, it was a proper ending befitting a close-knit group.

“They had a saying all year — refuse to lose,” he said. “I think that’s this team’s mantra. I’m really proud of them, because we had such great leadership with six (players) who’ve been here (Oxford) before and all sort of gelled together with our younger girls. Our team chemistry was a big part of this season and this win.”

The No. 5 Golden Eagles (29-14) dropped their opener (18-8) versus No. 4 Hartselle to set up the winner-take-all clash — and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

The Tigers commanded a 4-2 cushion entering the fourth inning before Athens — as its seemingly done all season long — got its bats going in a hurry.

Amaya Green and Charlie Barnes both hit RBI doubles in the frame to, along with a Hartselle error, help put their team in front for the first time. Another error made it 6-4 before Caitlyn Tedford hit a two-run single to extend the lead.

Lowery followed with a sacrifice fly that plated two runs, the second courtesy of an errant throw.

But with 92 runs between the teams in four recent matchups, the clash was a long way from over.

The Tigers answered with a five-spot in their half of the inning to crawl to within one, but Athens pushed it to three (12-9) in the sixth after Stiles and Tedford scored following a bases-loaded walk and hit by pitch, respectively.

“Hartselle is a good team and we knew we had to keep adding on,” Lowery said. “Respect to that team — they put up a lot of runs and gave us a great game.”

However, in a contest fueled by offense and big-time hitting, it was timely pitching that ultimately won the day.

Lowery, who entered the bout late in place of Camry Townsend, escaped a pair of two-on, no-out jams in both the sixth and seventh inning, inducing pivotal and harmless pop ups — including three in a row for the final three outs — to preserve a well-earned victory.

“I’m just trying to throw strikes because I trust my defense,” she said. “I knew we could get the outs.”

Barnes, meanwhile, offered effusive praise for his pitcher.

“She started out at third base and hadn’t pitched since middle school before this season,” he said. “She was outstanding. She has a dog in her. We knew giving her the ball in that situation that we were going to get six outs. We knew she could do it.”

The final out eventually landed in the glove of Carly Ennis, who coincidentally replaced Lowery at third base, and the lively celebration followed almost immediately.

Not that Ennis could believe it.

“Having those runners on base upped our nerves a bit, but getting that last out and seeing it come to me … it was unbelievable,” said Ennis, who earned MVP accolades. “I didn’t actually think it was happening when I caught it, but being able to celebrate all this with my teammates is amazing. We had ups and downs all season and didn’t even know if we’d get to this point. We’re very thankful.”

Added Barnes: “I remember that ball going up and thinking, ‘Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness. We’re going to do it.’ That and my daughter (Charlie) is on this team. So I just ran out on the field and hugged her. It’s really special with these girls.”

Every Athens player recorded either a hit or an RBI in the win.

Tedford (three RBIs), Jazzalyn Davis (two RBIs), Green (RBI), Ennis (RBI) and Barnes ripped two hits apiece, while Stiles (two RBIs), Lowery (RBI) and Jessica Waggoner each tallied one. Kara Crews had an RBI to cap the offensive contributions.

The recent run for the Golden Eagles has been something to envy for nearly every program in the state: four consecutive state berths, two state titles and one runner-up finish.

Perhaps most impressive about this return to glory is that they did it with just two seniors — Stiles and Ennis — in addition to four sophomores, three eighth-graders and a seventh-grader.

“We have a lot of younger kids on the team and we told them at the start of the season that we were going to work their tails off to get to this moment,” Ennis said. “We really worked toward that and they were so coachable along the way. They also helped us when we were having bad times in the field or at the plate. Being this young and able to do this, it shows what they can do now and in the future. I’m just thankful for this team and these coaches, and I’m grateful for teammates who’ll build you up and support you. You’ve got to have that.”

Barnes likely summed it up best when asked what this group’s legacy would be.

“They have a whole lot of heart and they never quit,” he said. “Just a great, close group of girls.”