Somers pulls off the comeback and is the Class S State Champion #ctsb pic.twitter.com/uz54VuJr0j
— Will Aldam (@AldamWill) June 8, 2019
WEST HAVEN — Confidence is a virtue that usually leads to good things in sports.
Trailing 2-1 entering the seventh inning of the CIAC Class S softball final against Coginchaug, Somers believed they were going to come away with the win.
And they did, in a wild play that produced the game-winning run.
Alyssa Milliken had two hits and three RBIs to lead No. 9 Somers to a 3-2 come-from-behind win over No. 7 Coginchaug at Biondi Field for the Spartans’ first state title.
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In the top of the seventh inning with runners on second and third and two outs, Milliken belted a hard ground ball to pitcher Kelly Boothroyd. The ball glanced off Boothroyd’s glove, she picked it up and threw to first base, but Milliken was called safe.
As the play at first base developed, the two runners bolted for home and scored for the 3-2 final.
Somers ties and and takes the lead with some great base running! 3-2 mid 7 #ctsb pic.twitter.com/nQ8QeKMti3
— Will Aldam (@AldamWill) June 8, 2019
“Being down 2-1 in the seventh inning we weren’t worried,” Milliken said. “We’re a strong defensive team, we’re also a strong offensive team and we’re a confident team. We knew we were going to come back and win this game.
“When I was at bat, I said to myself this was my turn, my turn to drive in those runs. I hit the ball as hard as I could and I ran as hard as I could to get to first base. We all worked so hard for this state title, it’s been our goal.”
In the first inning, Coginchaug pitcher Kelly Boothroyd found herself with two runners on and only one out. She proceeded to strike out Kendall McNamee and Emily Reynolds hit a fly ball to center field to end the inning. In the bottom of the inning, Reynolds, Somers’ pitcher, had the benefit of a double play. Coginchaug’s Izzy Milardo led off with an infield hit to second base. Amalia DeMartino followed with a line drive to second baseman Milliken who threw to first base to get the double play.
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It took five innings for the offense to really kick in for both teams.
The Spartans produced the game’s first run in the top of the fifth inning. Stephanie Butler led off the inning with a swinging bunt to the pitcher for a hit. Megan Lafayette hit a sacrifice bunt to move Butler to second base. Milliken followed with a hit to right field to drive home Butler to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
Coginchaug responds in the bottom of the fifth with a 2-spot. Now lead 2-1 through 5 #ctsb pic.twitter.com/JDfqUYtM0v
— Will Aldam (@AldamWill) June 8, 2019
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Coginchaug’s Dana Boothroyd led off with a double. Two batters later, Ayana Helmedach hit a single to third base. The third baseman bobbled the ball, allowing Boothroyd to go to third and Helmedach to second. Skye Ryer followed with a single to center field, driving in Boothroyd and Helmedach to give Coginchaug a 2-1 lead after five innings.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Spartans (19-6) put together their game-winning rally.
“We had our fastest runners on second and third when Alyssa hit her ball,” Somers coach Melanie Zamorski said. “So I knew there was a good chance they would score on that play. Our girls always stay positive and have worked so hard for this title. Getting this first title is a great feeling.”
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Reynolds retired the side to clinch the win. She ended up with three strikeouts and allowed five hits.
“I’m disappointed with the loss, but this season was a heck of a ride for us,” Coginchaug coach Steve DeMartino said. “We hit the ball hard tonight but right at people. That game-winning play at the end was just a ball that bounced their way. It glanced off our pitcher’s glove and allowed the runner to be safe at first. It’s just one of those things.”
Kelly Boothroyd had six strikeouts for the Blue Devils (20-7).