Tony Eierdam/The Community News Aledo Ladycat pitcher Whitney Canion "high fives" Jessie Hall after the Ladycats presented Jessie with one of their state championship medals following a parade Thursday afternoon.

The state and national champion Aledo Ladycats were honored Thursday night with a victory parade through town to celebrate their state softball championship won Saturday in Austin.

The Ladycats defeated Nederland, 4-0, in 15 innings. It was the longest championship game in Class 4A history, and the first-ever softball state title for the school.

After signing autographs prior to the parade, the Ladycats were driven in convertables and were waving to adoring fans, many of whom will be future Ladycats, along the parade route. The parade began at First Baptist Church of Aledo and wound down to the AHS softball field parking lot.

The Ladycats were introduced individually to the full house at the Ladycat softball field, and the team raised their state championship trophy aloft and received a long and loud standing ovation.

Aledo Mayor Kit Marshall congratulated the team over the public address system, and she proclaimed June 5, 2008, as "Ladycat Day in Aledo."

Coach Kevin Cook thanked the gathering for all of its support throughout the year, and the Ladycats made one final, special presentation before the ceremony ended.

The Ladycats presented Aledo elementary student Jessie Hall, who will undergo brain surgery next week in Maryland, with the same gold medal each Ladycat received after winning the state championship.

Some scenes from the parade:

For more on this story, see the June 13, 2008 issue of The Community News.