Vernon-Rockville Advances to State 9/10 Softball Finals

ELLINGTON, CT — Lila Ward of Vernon-Rockville raced home from second base to score the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning on Madison Johanson's single to lead Vernon-Rockville to a 3-2 victory over Coventry in the 9/10 Section 4 softball championship game.

Ward walked with two out and advanced to second during Johanson's at bat prior to her single on a 2 out, 3-2 count.

The game was a pitching duel between Lexi Real of Vernon-Rockville and Lindsey Harrington of Coventry.

Real had 11 strikeouts and gave up five hits and Harrington had 12 strikeouts and gave up six hits.

Both teams made key plays in the field to keep the teams off of the scoreboard for most of the game. Vernon-Rockville's defensive plays were highlighted by Lila Ward's leaping catch at second base to prevent a hit in the fifth inning and Madison Pitkin's crisp fielding play at third base for the second out of the sixth inning.

Elizabeth Mitchell of Coventry made an outstanding play at third base in the first inning.

For Vernon-Rockville, Caitlin Chatterton had two bunts for hits, Real had a double, and Morgan Geisinger, Ward, and Johanson had singles to lead Vernon-Rockville. Ward, Real and Chatterton scored Vernon-Rockville's runs

For Coventry, Remmy Casida had two singles, Lily Rand had a long, one hop double off of the fence, and Sydney DeLuca and Lindsey Harrington had singles. DeLuca and Casida scored Coventry's runs.

Vernon-Rockville advances to the four-team state tournament finals with a 9 - 1 record in tournament play.

The finals are scheduled to begin on July 27 in Trumbull against Section 3 - District 10 winner Waterford. Westport, the Section 1:-District 2 winner and Seymour, the Section 2-District 3 winner play in the other first-round game in the double elimination for matState Tournament Finals.

Earlier in the tournament, Coventry defeated Vernon-Rockville 9 - 1 in Section 4 play.

Lindsey Harrington of Coventry pitched a 1 hitter and had nine strikeouts to lead Coventry to the victory. Lila Rand and Julia Boya had two hits (one double) and Lindsey Harrington tripled to lead Coventry's offense.

Chloe Keane scored Vernon-Rockville's one run.