Tiverton Softball Team Exits Playoffs With 7-3 Loss To Classical

The Tiverton Tigers' girls softball team were knocked out of the Div. II state tournament on Thursday with a 7-3 first round, single elimination loss to Classical High School at .

The Tigers were threatening in the last three innings of a 6-1 game with early runners on base, but Classical's defense never let the Tigers lineup get into a rhythm. In the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs, Sarah Barboza hit a fielder's choice getting Hannah Glowacki out at second base. Then, Jessica Drolet singles and the next batter, Jenny Burton, singled into two runners to tighten Classical's lead at 6-3.

In the top of the seventh inning, after Tigers center fielder Sarah Whiston made a line drive catch for the first out, Drolet, the pitcher, was called on her second illegal pitching move of the day, keeping the runner on base. She was called for not dragging her foot off the rubber. Classical eventually got an insurance run across the plate to make the game 7-3.

In the bottom of the seventh inning with one out, Whiston hit a line drive to right field and wound up safe at third base. However, the next batter, Glowacki grounded out to the pitcher. Barboza then fouled out to the catcher on the very next pitch to seal Classical's victory.

Drolet finished the game with six strikeouts and Tiverton made some key late fielding plays on defense late when Classical strung some hits together.

"They had our number this year," said Head Coach Arthur Mello, saying Classical defeated Tiverton three times. Mello said he was pleased with the overall progress the team has made in the last two seasons and is looking forward to his returning sophomores and freshmen. They are losing one senior.

Mello gave his team some words of encouragement after the game.

"We've grown and I expect us to grow next year, too," he said. "I told them it wasn't our best day."

Tiverton 12-4, second in Div. II East. on Friday 3-2 in an extra innings win and plays East Greenwich on Monday.