Axton Qualls knew his job was to catch the ball and run home as fast as he could. He just decided to pull double duty late to lead Cowabunga Cattle Company to a junior coach-pitch championship.

Qualls turned a game-ending double play in a thrilling finale Friday at Morrison Ruritan Ballpark, securing a 17-13 victory for his team over SHHH Farms. Qualls also had three hits and scored three times in the win.

SHHH Farms was hoping to repeat as champions in the league and wouldn’t go quietly after falling behind 17-11 going into the final frame. Sam Miller and Lola Murphy worked to start a rally, getting hits and scoring to start cutting into the deficit. During the wild finish, Cowabunga lost one its top defenders when a ball took a big hop and hit Novalee Wood in the face, but she wouldn’t quit and neither would her team.

After a short break, Wood was back on the field Cowbunga was in search of the final two outs to seal the win. Qualls got them both on one play.

With the bases juiced, Qualls got a one-hopper hit right back to him at the circle and he made the stop on the run. He went sprinting toward home, beating a SHHH runner by a single step to get the force out.

Before he could stop and celebrate, Qualls noticed the runner at second had held up on contact and was trying to get to third base to keep the game going. Qualls didn’t hesitate; He hit top gear on his way to third, making the tag just before the runner to make it to the bag.

After the final out, Qualls rushed across the field and was lifted into the air in triumph by coach Scott Wood as Cowabunga celebrated the championship.

Wood, Qualls, Cory Ranagie, Lily Underwood, Viviana Parker, Mason Shelton, Abby Forbes, Jaxson Wright, Crimson Moore, Jace Wright and Braylea Holt all had hits in the win for Cowabunga.

In a tough loss, Miller, Murphy, Adrianna Helton, Landon Lee, Carysen Holland, Cason Pitts, Birdie Spears, Marshall Northcutt, Grace Freeman and Reese York had hits and played dazzling defense for SHHH Farms.