There was little doubt that the Roadrunner bats would come alive Sunday during their North Atlantic District B championship series vs. a tough Northampton CC squad. But it took awhile ...
When the offense woke up, the Runners (37-13) emerged as North Atlantic B champions, earning a berth in the upcoming NJCAA Division III Softball World Series. The Runners rallied for a 2-1 opening game win before sealing the deal with a 5-2 Game 2 triumph to advance to the D III World Series, to be held May 24-27 at the Carrier Park in Dewitt, NY.
In Game 1, catcher Morgan Fitzpatrick cracked a tying home run in the seventh inning and Caitlin Jackson delivered the game-winning RBI in the eighth inning to lift the Runners to a heart-thumping 2-1 decision.
Fitzpatrick's roundtripper erased a 1-0 deficit -- and just in the nick of time.
"We weren't quite making the connections we wanted at the plate, but once we tied the game, everyone picked it up," said Morgan, a sophomore.
That proved to be the case right away. In the eighth inning, RCSJ put a runner on second base before Jackson ripped a game-winning single to give the Runners the walk-off 2-1 victory.
Winning pitcher Gemma Galloway scattered 8 hits and struck out 7 in going the distance.
Jackson was later named th tourney MVP after collecting five hits and one RBI in the two-game series.
"Nothing can beat winning games like this or an MVP award on the college level," said Jackson, a former Williamstown High standout. "We're all looking forward to going to the World Series!"
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In Game 2, right fielder Dana Medlar turned in the defensive play of the series by throwing out a runner at the plate. Anna Cirucci blasted a two-run homer and Flynn Blessing added two RBIs to lift the Runners to a 5-2 win and the District title.
"I was surprised we got the runner at the plate," said Medlar. "I just wanted to make a good throw -- Morgan (Fitzpatrick) got a great tag on her too."
Sophomore Janiece Robles hurled 5 1/3 solid innings for the win while Galloway earned the save to finish off the win.
Following the tournament, RCSJ Steve DePasquale was selected as Region 19 NorthAtlantic B Coach of Year.
"We get contributions from any and everyone," said Coach DePasquale. "That's the way this team is built. When Morgan (Fitzpatrick) hit the home run in Game 1, I though that would jack us up -- and it did."
Next up is a trip to the DIII World Series at the Carrier Park in New York. Watch for more coverage and updates.
