By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
PLYMOUTH- Just as the game was ending, a bit of rain settled onto the campus of Plymouth State University, but there was a downpour of tears from the Tiger players as they fell to the Prospect Mountain Timberwolves, 6-0 in Division III semi-final action. “They were just perfect, they are undefeated and it shows,” said Newport coach Sam McNeel.
Football is a game of inches and on Tuesday, so was softball. A few little rolls of the ball was the difference between these teams in a game closer than the final score. If the ball didn’t tip the edge of the glove or a dive just three inches longer happened, Newport could have been headed to the championship. It was close but no cigar.
Prospect boasted the premier pitcher in the division with Gabriella Bernier on the bump but the Tigers and their star pitcher Tanya Sanchez were no pushovers. Newport got the bat on the ball early, but it always seemed to be right where the defense was standing before Prospect Mountain took their turn in the first inning. A single, a walk, a throw that tipped just off a glove, and the bases were loaded for Bernier. She blasted a triple to plate three runs. “If we were six inches taller, we would have been out of the inning,” said McNeel.
There were some great defensive plays with Prospect Mountains’s Gwenivere Christie making a running-diving grab, and Tiger catcher Emmah O’Connor snuffing out would be base stealers. Newport’s outfield was rock solid with Katie Sharron, Maddie Norris, and Cassie Sanborn handling everything that was hit their way.
The Timberwolves would steal another run, after a rundown ended up placing runners at the corners. The next batter singled in a run with two outs to make it 4-0. Prospect Mountain looked to break things wide open in the 4th inning as they had the bases loaded with one out. Sanchez dug deep to get a pop up to Peyton Blackington, then a comebacker to Sanchez ended the threat.
Newport only had four base runners all game, and nobody got past second base as Bernier was as good as advertised. A great scoop by Newport’s Alexis Durgin at first closed out the Timberwolves last at-bat but the Newport offense just couldn’t get to Bernier as she only allowed two hits and two walks all game.
Sanchez and Norris would collect the hits, while Blackinton and Sanchez would draw the walks for the Tigers, who left all 4 runners on base. Prospect Mountain would end up with 10 hits.
”I am so proud of this team, we have zero seniors and to get here today only makes the future bright for Newport softball,” said McNeel. “They have nothing to hang their heads about.”
Newport closes out their season with a 15-5 record. ”I can’t wait to finish the job next year and bring a title to Newport,” said Sanchez.
#1 Prospect Mountain will face #2 Campbell in the finals on Saturday.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.