Champlin Park pitcher Marissa Rothenberger celebrates with Reese Reimler (15) after the Rebels beat the Rogers Royals 1-0 in the Class 4A, Section 5 softball championship. (Renée Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The ending could scarcely have been more fitting.

The Champlin Park softball team, perennial bridesmaids for most of the past decade, finally scaled a hump that had grown mountainous, leaning on the right arm of lanky junior pitcher Marissa Rothenberger to defeat Rogers 1-0 in the Class 4A, Section 5 championship Thursday.

The victory ensures Champlin Park (21-2) a trip to Mankato next week for the state tournament. It will be the first appearance in Rebels history.

For more on the Rebels, click here to read this story on startribune.com.