AUSTIN -- Madison Galiano never thought about quitting softball, even after her twin sister, Emily, was killed in an accident last year that rocked the Forney and softball communities.

That perseverance was rewarded Saturday afternoon, as Galiano stood at home plate and was presented the state championship trophy after Forney won the biggest game in school history to close out a season that was dedicated to her sister.

All-state sophomore pitcher Savanna DesRochers broke a tie with a two-out, two-run single in the top of the seventh, and Forney went on to win the first softball state championship in school history with a 4-1 victory over Richmond Foster in the Class 5A title game. Forney players and coaches pointed to the sky to remember Emily Galiano during an emotional postgame celebration.

"It means the world to have this team go out and do it for her," said Madison Galiano, a sophomore who is a backup third baseman and catcher. "To dedicate our whole entire season to her means the world."

Forney beats Richmond Foster 4-1 to win 5A state title and championship trophy is presented to Madison Galiano, whose twin sister Emily was killed in a tragic accident last year. #txhssoftball @SportsDayHS @Forneysoftball @FHSJackrabbits @forneyisd @DFWfastpitch @TexasGlory pic.twitter.com/0vweCPicfP — Greg Riddle (@DMNGregRiddle) June 2, 2018

Emily Galiano was a 14-year-old Forney freshman softball player who died May 16, 2017, after she was struck and killed by a Jeep driven by a teammate as they left a team dinner party. Forney's motto all season was Play for Em, and Saturday the Jackrabbits talked in their pregame prayer about wanting to win for Em.

"It means everything in the world," said DesRochers, a Kansas pledge who was named the MVP of the state final after pitching a complete game and going 2 for 4. "We know she's with us. We were here for a bigger purpose."

Madison Galiano didn't think her father, Denny, was going to be in Austin for the state tournament. She got a big surprise before the semifinals Friday.

"He wasn't going to be able to make it because of work, but he flew in from California," she said. "He wouldn't miss it for the world."

Forney (33-6) finished the season with 25 consecutive wins after an 8-6 start. DesRochers' game-winning hit came on an 0-2 count and scored Hannah Holdbrook and Texas A&M pledge Trinity Cannon from second and third.

"I knew she was throwing outside, and I was just looking for something to drive," DesRochers said.

The hit came against Richmond Foster senior pitcher Kacie Pryor (29-7), who had struck out 15 in Friday's semifinal win over Fort Worth Arlington Heights.

"Savanna has always come through," Forney coach Pat Eitel said. "She's a big-time player. I can't wait to see her for the next two years."

Caroline Tedder followed with an RBI double to make it 4-1. It looked like that extra run might be crucial, as DesRochers (28-4) allowed a single, double and infield single to load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Pinch-hitter Alexis Lesak came up and hit a line drive, but it was right back at DesRochers, who caught it and threw to third for a double play. Tedder, a senior left fielder, then ended the game with an extraordinary play that will be remembered as one of the great catches in UIL state tournament history.

Tedder had to run a long way to track down a foul ball, and she reached out and caught it just as she slammed into the railing. She ended up on top of the railing, with her glove extended well over it, but she managed to hang on to the ball.

"I've always been taught to go full out, even on foul balls," Tedder said. "I just went for it."

How clutch is this? Reaches over the wall full-speed to win the Texas softball state championship #MPTopPlay 💥😮 pic.twitter.com/rrhaR4IaxO — MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) June 3, 2018

For the second straight day, Forney played in the heat of the afternoon, with the temperature reaching 98 degrees at Red & Charline McCombs Field. But playing before a crowd of 741, DesRochers kept her cool and scattered eight hits while getting help from a defense that turned three double plays.

After Forney stranded five runners through the first four innings -- including four in scoring position -- Richmond Foster (36-9-1) broke a scoreless tie with a run on a two-out RBI single by Amanda Allen in the bottom of the fourth. Forney tied it 1-1 in the top of the fifth as Caleigh Cross led off with a double and Holdbrook followed with a perfectly placed bunt that snuck through a drawn-in infield for an RBI single.

Forney finished the season with 38 home runs as a team. That total would rank No. 23 in the national high school record book if submitted to and verified by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Twitter: @DMNGregRiddle