AUSTIN -- The Colony struck out 11 times Saturday, a statistic that rarely coincides with a state softball championship. But for the Cougars, who beat Willis 5-2 in the Class 5A title game, the important part was what they did when they got on base.

"Speed never takes a day off, speed never has a slump," The Colony coach Deana Coleman said as players celebrated around her at Red and Charline McCombs Field. "You always have speed and you've got to use it."

The Colony (33-7) had seven stolen bases and beat out several infield hits. The Cougars used their speed expertly to take a 4-0 lead after four innings, taking some pressure off sophomore pitcher Karlie Charles, who threw a complete game for the second straight day.

While The Colony's offense was persistent, its defense was consistent, helping Charles (26-3) scatter seven hits.

"One of the best defenses I've ever played with," said Charles, who struck out three and was named the game MVP. "It's just great to have them by my side."

Willis pitcher Casey Dixon (35-8) only allowed six hits, but her 11 strikeouts were offset by five walks, and The Colony took advantage. Coleman said her team was a little hesitant on the basepaths in Friday's semifinal, but the Cougars were aggressive and efficient against Willis.

Two walks and a stolen base set up The Colony's first run, which came on Morgan Olson's soft liner to center with two outs in the first inning.

The Colony then scored twice in the second after starting the inning with back-to-back strikeouts. Taylor Curbow drew a walk, and when Jayda Coleman followed with a single to left-center, Curbow pressured the defense by heading for third. Curbow scored on the errant throw and Jacee Hamlin followed with an RBI grounder up the middle to make it 3-0.

Hamlin, who had three steals in the game, pushed The Colony's lead to 4-0 in the fourth with a nicely placed bunt single that scored the runner from third. Willis scored in the bottom of the seventh to put some pressure on The Colony, but Charles got back-to-back strikeouts before left fielder Haley Ramsey caught a liner to end the game and start the celebration.

It was a celebration that The Colony knew was possible before the season began.

"I think we felt it from the beginning," Charles said. "We thought that this team was going to be big, and our dream came true."