Scarlet Hawks Move to State Title Match in Softball

Going into Milford’s MIAA Division 1 semi-final match against Central Catholic, Shannon Smith needed 11 strikeouts to break the 1,200 K barrier and reach her goal. By the top of the 7th inning, the barrier had been broken, but you would not have known it looking at the focus of the future Kentucky Wildcat.

“I knew that I needed 11 strikeouts but I wasn’t keep tabs during the game. When it happened I didn’t know and my dad started to cheer so I figured that was it,” Smith said.

Behind 14 strikeouts from Smith and early runs on offense, the Scarlet Hawks picked up a 3-0 win over the Raiders to earn the privilege of defending their state title this weekend at Worcester State University.

“It comes down to seven innings away from being state champs and that was the girls’ focus at the beginning of the season, to find a way back to Worcester State and be there on June 15,” said Milford head coach Brian Macchi.

Looking for early runs, the Scarlet Hawks got what they needed when Samantha Bonvino scored on a passed ball with one out in the bottom of the first inning.

Later in the first, Sarah Jacques, who entered the game as a courtesy runner for Smith, took advantage of a Rachel Levine double to right field and extended the lead to two.

“It’s our job as an offensive team to find a way to support her (Smith) and give her a few runs early and we did that in the first inning,” said Macchi.

Performing exceptionally well on defense, Milford only needed a third run for insurance purposes after Lauren Hanna scored on a ground ball single by Caroline Fairbanks with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Raiders avoided further damage when Megan Jacques got caught in a rundown between second and third after the run was scored.

With Smith striking out nine of her 7irst 10 batters, hitting against the Scarlet Hawks seemed like a futile effort at times.

Desperation began to sink in when the Raiders tried to bunt and slap hit their way to first base but few efforts were successful though five innings.

Milford's only defensive jam came in the top of the sixth inning when a double by Krista Maloney and two walks loaded the bases with two outs.

“I started to overthrow a little bit. I was trying to throw harder and get movement on the ball and it was kinda out of control so I had to take a step back and relax,” Smith said.

With Smith’s aim a bit off, the Hawks were forced to refocus to preserve the shut-out and keep Central Catholic from crossing home plate.

“I said ‘we’ve been here before with two outs, we just need one more,’” Macchi told his infield after the Raiders loaded the bases. “We weren't concerned about the runners on base, we just wanted to get that girl at the plate out and go hit.”

Calming down, Karoline Leavitt went down as many of her teammates did with a strike out to end the inning.

Milford will play the winner of the Marlboro/Agawam semi-final at Worcester State University on June 15, at a time to be announced. The game will mark the Scarlet Hawks’ third appearance in the state final in four years.