BINGHAMTON — As the Miller Place softball team flooded the circle at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park, the Panthers experienced a wave of emotions.

All experienced jubilation. Some had a bittersweet feeling, knowing that they’ll never get to play with the seniors again. For coach Matt Timmons, the overwhelming feeling was relief.

Dominant pitching from Ava Zicchinelli, stellar defense and timely hitting led Miller Place to a 3-0 win over Williamsville South (Section VI) to claim the Class A state title on Saturday.

“I’ve been telling these girls for five years, since they were in eighth grade, ‘You’re the best team in New York State. Buy in to what we’re doing and I promise you’ll win it all,’” Timmons said. “That’s a pretty big promise to make, so the relief of accomplishing that goal and the validation that my assessment of how much talent we had was correct was a big weight off my shoulders.”

It's the Panthers’ first state title and the first time a public school from Long Island has won a state championship since East Meadow in 2017. Sayville (2012) was the last Suffolk team to bring home a championship plaque.

After losing in last year’s state final, the Panthers returned their entire team and set their sights on finishing what they started.

“It’s definitely a much better feeling than last year,” Zicchinelli said. “We’ve won championships before, but this is the one we wanted. We weren’t settling for anything less. It’s just amazing that we were able to accomplish what we wanted.”

Zicchinelli struck out five and allowed three hits and two walks in a complete game shutout. The senior Molloy commit pitched a one-hit shutout in Friday’s semifinal.

“It was the same as it’s been all season,” catcher Delaney Schleider said. “It’s always just so easy with her. We have something where we’re just connecting without even speaking.”

In the third inning, Schleider fouled off four pitches in a 10-pitch at-bat that ended with a single to right field. Emily Lopez followed with a single to center to plate Laney Vomero from second.

With two outs and the bases loaded, Sadie Bryant was drilled in the back to give Miller Place a 2-0 lead. The sophomore went to her knees in pain, but she felt better when she got to first base.

“Usually, I just walk it off, but that one hurt a lot,” Bryant said. “I turned to [assistant coach Thomas] Fank and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I got an RBI and we scored another run.’ I was really excited.”

Zicchinelli tacked on another run in the sixth with a one-out single to center, driving in Sadie Hoffman.

The Panthers made no errors in their 14 innings in Binghamton. Zicchinelli was aided by a sliding catch in shallow center by Brooke Borkowski in the second inning on Saturday. With two runners on in the first, shortstop Vomero ranged over into foul territory to end the inning with a tough catch.

Defensive substitute Kelsey Hoffman, who came in for Evelyn Paul, made a sliding stop at second base and fired to Lopez at first for the first out of the seventh. She also caught a line drive for the final out.

“It speaks to how much talent we have and the belief they have in us to use them at the right moment,” Timmons said. “Evelyn Paul had an outstanding day at the plate. It’s the seventh inning. She’s a senior and we’re on the verge of winning a state championship and I go to a freshman to play second base. Everyone is understanding and Kelsey makes an outstanding play up the middle.”

Lopez went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run, Paul went 2-for-4 and Bryant went 1-for-3 with an RBI for Miller Place (25-2). Williamsville South finished 20-6.

The Panthers shared several hugs and tears of joy with the dozens of parents and friends that made the trip.

“It was our parents’ dreams to watch us win a state title. They love coming to our games and watching us,” Lopez said. “This was our Father’s Day gift to our dads.”