Ten years ago, in just the second season of the program's existence, McCracken County softball earned their 37th and final win of the 2015 season, bringing home their first State Championship in school history.
It was a moment that several members of the team looked back on at McCracken County High School on Saturday afternoon, as the school honored the squad in between games of a doubleheader that saw McCracken County sweep Kennett (MO), 7-2 and 11-0.
"Our dog pile at the end, that was the moment that I remember the most," Hannah Groves recalled. "Keely Barnes [delivering the walk-off hit and] all of us running out and jumping on top of her."
Groves, then known as Hannah Ridolfi, remembers that eighth inning walk-off victory over Louisville Male like it was yesterday. It culminated a year of redemption after the Lady Mustangs lost in the State Finals the year prior.
"It's awesome," Groves said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I mean, these are friendships that we'll have for the rest of our lives ... we're still talking like we haven't missed a beat."
Groves was one of several from that team who would go on to play college softball. Schools like Kentucky, Murray State, UT Martin and Morehead State featured former Lady Mustangs from that State Championship squad.
"First off, I feel very old being back here after 10 years, but it feels amazing," Bailey Vick, a Kentucky alum said. "I feel like we were at the start of this program, and just to see where it is now, it makes my heart happy. It's amazing to be back here."
Their head coach, Tony Hayden, says he's proud of this group even to this day, seeing their success in college and beyond.
"It reminds me of what kind of lineup I had to fight over every day," Hayden said. "Coaching them was a privilege... That's the most fulfilling part about this job is seeing them 10 years later and what they're doing."
As the current coach of the Lady Mustangs, Hayden believes that his team this year can learn from that 2015 squad.
"Biggest thing is that they know that it's achievable and it can be done, and what work has to be put into it to get it done," Hayden said. "It was a kid that come off the bench and got the big hit [to win the State Championship]. That's the way this team in 2025 is playing. We've got kids coming off the bench and and producing, and so hopefully that trend will keep coming."
After their doubleheader wins on Saturday, the current Lady Mustangs hold a 24-5 record and are on a hot streak of seven consecutive wins with just seven games left on their schedule before the Second District tournament.