Pitching and clutch hitting. That tried and proven formula is a recipe for success, and the Roadrunner Softball Team used it to capture the program's third straight and eighth overall Region 19 North Atlantic District championship this past weekend.
The Runners swept all three tournament games, rolling past Northampton CC, 11-3, and Middlesex College, 7-0, on Day One before edging Northampton, 4-3, in the championship final.
The championship provided the Runners with an automatic berth in the NJCAAA Division III World Series, to be held at Carrier Park in Dewitt, NY, from May 21-24.
In the Region title round, the Runners jumped out to a 3-1 lead, fueled by an inside-the-park home run by Grace Gallagher, before the Spartans rallied to tie it at 3-3. In the sixth inning, first baseman Nayelis Sanchez delivered the game-winning hit with an RBI single.
"I was a little nervous coming up to the plate, but I knew I had to get my bat on the ball and bring the run home," said Sanchez, a sophomore. "The pitch I hit was low, but I got enough of it to send it to the outfield."
Following that effort, the team celebrated by hoisting their championship trophy and posing for photos.
Gallagher was named tournament MVP while Steve DePasquale was named Region 19 Coach of the Year.
"It was always the goal for us to get here and win the region," said Grace afterwards. "Last year when we went to Nationals, that was the great time of my life -- glad to be going back!"
In the opening round, freshman Sienna Walterson knocked in three runs while sophomore pitcher Emily Childs hurled five strong innings as the Runners prevailed over Northampton in five innings.
That effort was followed by another strong pitching outing in the win over Middlesex College as Danielle Procopio turned in five shutout innings and Childs closed it with two more scoreless frames to seal the semifinal victory.
"I lived for the playoffs -- all we wanted was a chance to go back to the World Series," said Danielle, who scattered six hits. "My curve ball was working well today, and that made a difference."
Childs entered the contest in the sixth in the middle of a potential Middlesex rally and quieted the Colts by recording two quick outs and then a third out with no runs allowed.
"I have to credit my defense for their great play," said Emily. "We worked well as a team out there today against a very good team."
Seedings and tournament matchups will be announced this week for the World Series. Currently, the Runners own a 33-10 overall record and are the No. 3 ranked NJCAA Division III team in the national rankings.