MIAA Softball Finals Preview: Norwood vs. KP

The Norwood Mustangs softball team is looking to pull an upset Friday evening in Taunton against perennial powerhouse King Phillip. Here's some of what to look for from both teams tonight:

Norwood Mustangs

Norwood has been hoping for this match up, coach Carol Savino said.

“All we hear is Megan Rico, Meghan Rico, Megan Rico," she said, referring to KP's ace on the mound. "I say, Ali Maloof is as good as Rico, in my mind as coach.”

Maloof's bat has come alive in the last two games and she is hitting the ball the opposite way which is her forte. 

Makenna Lane has also been swinging a hot bat. Lane, only a sophomore, has not only provided important leadership skills but she has played a flawless shortstop in the tournament, making several plays deep in the hole to erase key base runners against New Bedford in the last round.

In the circle, Lauren Duggan and Maloof have combined to pitch extremely well so far. The combination of Duggan’s rising fastball and Maloof’s screwball has been lethal so far in the tournament, as well as the rest of the Mustangs undefeated season. Definitely look for more of that in this final game.

Coach Savino knows her defense will have to play a flawless game in the field in order to beat KP, as well as figure out a way to break up the goose eggs that the KP pitchers have been laying in this tournament, but look for Duggan and Lane to carry the offensive load as well as a freshman named Emily Kelly who may be the difference maker in this tournament for the Mustangs before it is all said and done.

“In the end it will be interesting, who hits the ball better will win the game or who executes better,” said Savino.

King Phillip Warriors

With a 22-0 record this season and a history of dominating the division, KP is the favorite for this game and ESPN Boston's pick for the win.

First thing to be on the look out for is Megan Rico, KP's ace who threw a no-hitter in the first round of the tournament against Taunton. The junior has pitched a stellar season, and contributed well on offense for her team.

Speaking of offense, KP comes into this game off of a 15-0 win against Weymouth in the semifinals. The team has scored a total of 22 runs in the post-season alone.

However, this final game will truly be a mound match up, as Norwood's dynamic duo faces off against KP - a team that has allowed exactly zero runs from tournament opponents this year.