(Copyright, Sports on CT-69)
Seventh-seeded Holy Cross softball had top-seeded Stafford right where it wanted entering the bottom of the sixth inning of Friday night’s Class S state final at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field in Stratford.
The Crusaders were six outs away from a fourth straight state championship, but the Bulldogs — who hadn’t appeared in a final since winning it all in 1976 — had other plans.
Stafford scored four times in the sixth to take the lead, then held off Holy Cross 5-4 for the state title. The Bulldogs won for the second time in their second appearance. After three straight championships, the Crusaders had to accept the runner-up plaque.
“If you ask me how I’m doing right now, I’d say I’m doing pretty good,” Holy Cross head coach Meg Dwyer said. “My team is second-best in Class S.”
There were plenty of tears shed following the loss. Senior Nicole Strielkauskas had appeared in her final game for the Crusaders. It was also Alex Lombardo’s last game for the program, but she could only watch as she had all season because of injury.
The game was tied 1-1 after one inning and remained so until the top of the fifth. That’s where Holy Cross struck for three runs, all with two outs. Hannah Brown singled to right field, then advanced all the way to third when the ball got past the Stafford outfielder. Allie Brown singled her sister home for a 2-1 lead. Val Nobrega’s grounder was fielded by shortstop Hannah Davis, who tried to force Allie Brown out at second. Brown was called safe, and the Crusaders were still very much in business. Jenna Mowad had an infield single to load the bases, then Lizzy Diorio hit a ball through the legs of Davis for a two-run error and a 4-1 lead.
“It initially gave us more confidence,” Allie Brown said of the lead.
Before the bottom of the sixth, Stafford’s fans began to make a lot of noise. The Bulldogs fed off of their partisans and got a leadoff baserunner on a collision at first where the ball was dropped. Emily Padegimas, the hero of Stafford’s semifinal win over Wamogo, ripped a double to put runners on second and third. After a strikeout, a walk loaded the bases. Strielkauskas fired home for a force and the second out of the inning.
Holy Cross was four outs from a four-peat, but Stafford also had the heart and will of a champion, and it showed in their hitting. Megan McDermott picked up a two-run single, and the runners moved up to second and third on a throw home. Ryleigh Gilman singled to tie the game at 4-4, then Davis redeemed herself in the biggest way possible with a go-ahead single to make the score 5-4.
The Crusaders did their best to stay positive.
“We kept picking each other up,” Allie Brown said.
Holy Cross still had its final at bats in the top of the seventh. Mowad singled with one out, then Brandi McIntosh walked with two outs. A grounder to first base ended the game and started a Stafford celebration. The Bulldogs went from three runs down to state champions.
When asked if he was worried, Stafford head coach Steve Budaj jokingly rubbed his bald head, then said: “Of course I was worried.”
“Everybody was worried, but that’s high school softball,” Budaj said.
Davis not only redeemed herself at the plate, but she picked up starter and fellow captain Abbe Minor in relief in the circle and stopped Holy Cross’ offensive push. That gave Stafford time to get its offense going.
“They just put some hits together at the right time,” Dwyer said.
It was a tough end for the Crusaders, but they have much to be proud of after a great postseason run. Holy Cross ended the season with a record of 19-7.
GALLERY
Here are my photos from Friday night’s championship game.
