Imagine playing in a softball state championship game as a freshman. Now imagine doing so during your sophomore and junior seasons as well.
That’s what happened for Holy Cross seniors Allie Brown, Hannah Brown and Val Nobrega. Those Crusaders won Class S state championships in their freshmen and sophomore seasons, then finished as the runner-up as juniors.
Holy Cross, seeded third, was three outs away from returning to the state final for the fifth straight time overall on Tuesday against seventh-seeded Coginchaug Regional at West Haven High School. Then the bottom fell out for the Crusaders on Frank Biondi Field. The Blue Devils scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to stun the Crusaders by a score of 5-4. Coginchaug will play No. 9 Somers for the Class S state title on Friday night at 7 o’clock at Biondi Field. Holy Cross finished the season with a record of 20-5.
The Crusaders scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning for their first run of the game, according to the story written by Joe Palladino for The Strike Zone. Nobrega had a two-run single in the bottom of the fourth inning, then freshman Brianna Greenlaw blasted a solo home run in the fifth to make the score 4-1.
A two-run single and two-run double in the top of the seventh inning gave Coginchaug a 5-4 lead, then Kelly Boothroyd kept Holy Cross from getting the equalizer. It was the final game for Crusader seniors Allie Brown, Hannah Brown, Nobrega, Julia Joyce, Elise Pelletier and Carley DeFoe.
Cover photo: Holy Cross first baseman Lizzy Diorio, left, and second baseman Val Nobrega, right, chat during a game against St. Paul earlier this season. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
Top photo: Holy Cross senior Allie Brown makes contact during a game against St. Paul earlier this season. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
Bottom photo: Holy Cross senior Hannah Brown (4) watches a teammate hit during a game against St. Paul earlier this season. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69, file)
