Islanders Beat Patriots for Spot in Final Four

The Islanders and the Portsmouth Patriots finished the regular season in first and second place, respectively, in Division II South. Middletown won both regular season contests, but they were each one-run victories (1-0 and 12-11).

Both those games are scraped aside. It's playoff time. New season. Regular season records mean nothing.

The two teams faced off at Rhode Island College (RIC) on Monday night. Both teams' starting pitchers started out well in the first. The second inning, however, saw the Islanders load the bases and bring home two, giving them an early 2-0 edge through the second inning.

The third inning saw Middletown starting pitcher Grace Eng pick up where she left off for the majority of the 2011 season. Shutting people down. She retired the first 11 Portsmouth batters before allowing a rip into center by Portsmouth's #4 Noelle Robinson, who ended up with a triple. Portsmouth couldn't bring her home, keeping the game at a 4-0 Islander advantage through the fourth inning.

Portsmouth's starting pitcher Kelly Beck, #6, had a fifth inning she probably wish she could have back.

Called in the Fifth

The Islanders went on an offensive tear, scoring six runs and ending the game by way of the 10-run rule.

Islander Freshman Megan Tessier brought home Nina Traglia and Lauren Simard, when the game was called as the Islanders secured their 10-0 victory and advanced to the Division II Final Four.

The Coaches' Assessments

"We came out right from the very beginning, giving them nothing but respect," Middletown Head Coach Robin Ramey said after the game. "We knew that all aspects of the game had to be covered. Short game. Hitting. We just had to bring everything that we had. The girls played great."

Ramey continued, "We had to make some incredible plays on defense and we did. We had to bring everything we had and hope that we walk away with a victory and we did just that."

For Portsmouth, their season is not over. They move into the one loss bracket and can fight their way back to the state title game. 

"It was a little disappointing," Portsmouth Assistant Coach Karen Byrne said. "We did make some errors, but Middletown hit the ball really well. Our team knows Middletown really well. Their pitchers, their hitters. A lot of the girls on each team know each other. So we were familiar enough with them."

Byrne continued, "They just made the plays when they needed to and maybe it was some nervous energy on our part that contributed to some of the errors. But you know, we get a second chance now, despite the loss, and we just have to start fresh and make another run at it."

Both Teams Play On

Portsmouth will now play Tuesday against Narragansett. First pitch is 4 p.m. at Portsmouth High School. The winner of that game will head back to RIC for a chance at redemption.  

For the Islanders, they are now two victories away from a state championship title. They next play against No. 1 seed East Greenwich in the Division II Final Four on Thursday, June 9 at RIC. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The winner of that contest will advance to the Division II State Championship Game.