Mustangs Fall to King Philip 3-1

Battling a strong program known for producing quality softball players, the Norwood Mustangs did everything they could against the King Philip Warriors.

Playing with a young squad, the Mustangs kept it close but fell to King Philip 3-1 in the first round of the MIAA Division 1 South tournament.

"The nice thing about this team is that there are five freshmen here and a couple of them started tonight for the first time," Norwood coach Carol Savino said. "We have a good future ahead of us."

It wasn’t until the day before the game that KP sophomore Renee Poirier got word she would start for KP due to three players getting suspended for violating team rules. By the way Poirier threw however, it would be hard to assume that she pitched more than a handful of games this season.

“A little surprised but excited, really excited to prove myself,” Poirier said of the chance to play. “I pitched that game for my captains because I did everything I could to make sure they weren't sitting down for their last game.”

The sophomore struck out seven and only gave up one hit, a home run to Kelly Duggan in the fourth inning.

“She battled. Can’t put it any different way. She willed it,” King Philip head coach Norm Beauchemin said. “She’s been on the mound a couple of time and that’s the reason why, in case something happened down the line.”

Taking advantage of a young and nervous Norwood squad, the Warriors picked up two quick runs in the bottom of the first inning when Bri Sebio’s double scored a pair of runs early in the game.

After giving up a home run in the fourth inning, Poirier found herself with two on and two out with the Warriors up 2-1. Despite the jam, the KP pitcher was able to force Erin Garczynski to hit a fly out into foul territory to end the inning.

The Warriors were able to get an extra insurance run when Sebio was able to score on a passed ball from third base to make it a 3-1 game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Before the run, the Mustangs had a chance to end the inning after Haley Anchukaitis was caught in a rundown trying to steal second. Almost getting the out, Norwood's youth showed as Anchukaitis was able to take second base.

“That third run should have never scored. We had the kid dead in the water on the rundown and we froze. Freshman had the ball, didn’t think she could do it,” Savino said.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Warriors were able to get three fly outs to advance out of the first round of the Division 1 South tournament.

The Warriors will play at Milford on June 3 at 4 p.m.