PHOTOS: Medfield Softball Clinches First State Tourney Berth in Six Years

The drought is over.

For the first time since 2006, the softball team will be playing in the MIAA state tournament.

The Warriors defeated Millis, 11-6 Wednesday at Shonda Schilling Field to record their 10^th victory of the season and qualify for postseason play.

“Ever since the beginning of the year, this is the game we’ve been playing for,” said Medfield head coach Travis Taliaferro. … “I couldn't be prouder of our team's accomplishment, because I think very few people expected us to win many games this year, much less make the tournament for the first time since 2006.  I know this win means a lot to the seniors, who have provided excellent leadership for our team since day one back in March.”

Fittingly, Wednesday was also Senior Day for Medfield, which honored the following players prior to the game:

• Alyssa Bethoney
• Amanda Kane
• Lucy Allen, captain
• Kristin Foster, captain
• Kara Pelosi
• Caroline Richard

“It was Senior Night for our team and it was, in the end, the seniors who anchored our performance,” Taliaferro said.

Millis scored in the top of the first and held a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the third inning, when Medfield strung together four runs to take a 4-1 lead – a lead the Warriors would hold the rest of the game despite two Millis rallies. After a five-run fourth inning, Medfield led Millis 9-1 but the Mohawks responded with a five-run fifth to cut the deficit to three at 9-6.

Medfield came right back in the bottom of the fifth, plating two more runs, with the big hit coming from Dannielle Vaclavik to give the Warriors an 11-6 lead and the eventual final score.

“This win was very typical of our season so far, as we seem to get key contributions from a different player each game, and have put together a big inning when we needed it most,” Taliaferro said.
On the day, Foster led Medfield’s offense, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and Kane knocked in a key insurance run to help Medfield hold off a Millis rally. Emily Kafka also came up with a big 2 RBI single in the third inning and Allie Gianci scored three runs.

On defense, Pelosi  made a key play – gunning down a runner trying to advance to second base, ending another Millis threat.

Jackie Flint pitched a complete game, giving up just two earned runs and
was assisted by solid defense by sophomore Jessi O'Loughlin at first base.