STANDISH, Maine — Richmond pitcher Meranda Martin didn’t have her best stuff in the first inning of Saturday’s State Class D softball championship at St. Joseph’s College.
Stearns, playing in its first state title game, scored a run on a bases-loaded walk, and Madeline Morrison lined a Martin offering into center field. One Stearns runner touched the plate to double the lead for the Minutemen, and it appeared pinch runner Fredericka Hibbs was about to make it an early three-run lead.
But, Richmond second baseman Camryn Hurley’s perfect relay to freshman catcher Sydney Tilton retired a sliding Hibbs at the plate, and a four-run Bobcats first inning powered Richmond to a 9-4 win.
It is the third consecutive Class D softball title for Richmond (18-0), which also extended its winning streak to 52 games.
Of the first inning play at the plate, Richmond coach Rick Coughlin knew that it was a big turnaround.
“That was a huge play, very huge, just a good relay from Camryn, and we were able to come up and hit the ball after that,” said Coughlin after winning his seventh state title in his 29th season in charge of Richmond softball. “It changed the game. And, if we don’t come up and hit, we are behind and chasing.”
“That throw was so important because it lifted us up and gave us that extra push that we needed,” said Hurley, who also helped out from her No. 9 spot in the lineup by going 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.
With Richmond down 2-0, Tilton started her 3-for-4 day by launching an RBI triple just inside the right-field foul line. Kelsie Obi followed with an RBI single to left field to tie the game, and an error followed by a two-out, two-run single by Cassidy Harriman gave the Bobcats a 4-2 lead after an inning.
Stearns scored a run in the second as lead-off hitter Jessicca Girsa singled for a second time and scored on a single by Cassidy McLeod to get the Minutemen to 4-3.
But, Richmond again doubled Stearns’ run total in an inning by scoring two in the home half of the second. Hurley singled and advanced all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Meranda Martin. Kelsea Anair followed with a ground ball, with Hurley scoring on the play. With two outs, Tilton doubled to the fence in left-center field, with Obi following with a double for a 6-3 Richmond lead.
“I knew that I was going to be important for me to hit, and I saw that she was throwing the first pitch in there for a strike, so I just got up there and hit like I know I could,” said Hurley. “We had so much pressure on us, this long streak, no losses, and we just had to get past that.”
A second Stearns runner was thrown out trying to advance an extra base, with Hurley again gunning down a runner, this time at third base to end the third.
“Our plan was to get out early, hit (Martin) a couple times, score some runs quick, but we made some crucial defensive mistakes,” said Stearns coach Nick Cullen after his team finished 14-7. “Richmond puts the ball in play and puts pressure on you.”
With two outs in the fourth, Martin stood at third and Anair at second. A routine throw back to Stearns pitcher Girsa slipped away, with Martin breaking to the plate and beating the throw. Matters got worse as a relay throw to third in an attempt to get Anair bounced into left field, with Anair scoring for an 8-3 Richmond lead.
“We had a couple innings where we didn’t make the plays when we needed them,” said Cullen. “We knew we would make mistakes, but we were hoping to minimize them. Hats off to Richmond. They just flat out hit the ball hard.”
The Bobcats tacked on a run in the fifth. Kalah Patterson led off with a double and moved to third on an error. Harriman’s infield pop fly was caught, with Stearns shortstop Audrey Dunstan making the play and doubling a Richmond runner off first base. But, Patterson tagged during the double play and scored without a throw.
Girsa was the lone repeat hitter for Stearns, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. On the mound, Girsa struck out four and walked two. Only three of the nine runs she allowed were earned.
Obi was 2-for-4 with two RBIs in her final game for Richmond.