By Chris LaClair
Eagle Times
Sports Editor
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The chatter in the stands at Veteran’s Park during Claremont’s Coed Softball Championship game was of the same tune: Only one team would take first place.
The second seeded Tagged Out team, who was undefeated with a 12-0 record in the regular season, won all four games last weekend by double digits. This marks their third consecutive year as champions as they beat the number one seed in the tournament (the Benchwarmers) 20-5.
After trailing in the first inning 0-4, the bats of the big hitters went on display. They hit six balls over the fence. Per league rules, every one hit over the fence after five is a mandatory single.
The only game that didn’t end courtesy of the mercy rule was the second-round bracket game against the Bad Intentions; 17-5. Their other wins included a defeat of the Lumberjacks (23-8) and Benchwarmers in the fourth round (16-1), ultimately sending them to the loser’s bracket.
The championship was bittersweet to Caitlin Castellini, who created the team three seasons ago.
“I started playing slow pitch softball in 2017 when a friend, Mike Coutermarsh, asked me to play in the Claremont league,” said Castellini “After playing for the Outlaws for a few years, I decided to take a break and make my own team.”
Having her friends join her team increased the competition to the league.
First baseman slugger Shawn Bell joined the team last year when team Remix disbanded.
“It’s been an incredible softball season, filled with excitement week after week,” said Bell. “The fun we’ve had on the field was truly unforgettable as our journey reached the peak in the championship, where we faced a tough Benchwarmers team.”
Benchwarmers Mike Morse was very pleased with the team’s overall record of 16-2 in the year, including playoffs.
“Going into the year, we knew we needed to rely on our defense as we wouldn’t hit many homeruns,” said Morse. “We ran into an unbelievable hitting team in Tapped Out and couldn’t keep up with their power offensively.”
Most players view their teammates as family.
“This is truly the best experience I have ever had with officiating any sport in any year,” said George Bessler, longtime softball umpire. “I have never made so many friends as the ones I have made during the season.”
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