ST. ALBANS – With a strong crowd on hand and plenty of energy from both fan bases, the undefeated BFA-St. Albans Comets’ softball team put together a dominant performance to defeat the Redhawks 12-1 in Division I playoff action and advance to the semifinal on Friday, June 5.
The Comets wasted little time taking control of the game behind a powerful offense and dominant pitching.
Megan Gonyeau set the tone immediately in the top of the first, striking out all three Redhawk hitters she faced. The quick inning energized the home crowd and gave BFA momentum heading into its first at-bat.
Adam Laroche
The Comets capitalized right away. Chatham Brouillette reached after being hit by a pitch and Nora Tatro followed with a single. Marah McGinn then delivered the game’s first big blow, launching a three-run home run to left field to put BFA ahead 3-0.
McGinn said she understood the importance of setting the tone early.
“Your first at-bat is probably the most important of the game because it sets the tone for yourself and your team,” said McGinn. “You want to do things right, and I think I reflected that well. I think my teammates throughout the lineup just carried that on.”
Adam Laroche
BFA continued to roll as the Comets strung together three consecutive singles before Khloe Carpenter drove a three-run double into the gap, extending the lead to 6-0 by the end of the inning.
The pitching remained in control in the second. Gonyeau recorded two more strikeouts before Irie Shedd came on to retire the final batter, giving the Redhawks another scoreless frame.
Adam Laroche
The Comets added to their lead in the bottom of the second. Nora Tatro worked a leadoff walk and, after a double play temporarily slowed the rally, Jillian Smith drew a walk and Irie Shedd lined a hard single to left. Gonyeau helped her own cause with a sharp double down the left field line, driving home two runs to make it 8-0.
The Redhawks showed some fight in the third, using a bunt single and a sacrifice bunt to put a runner in scoring position, but Shedd shut down the threat before any damage could be done.
Adam Laroche
After a Redhawks solo home run made it 8-1 in the fourth, BFA answered again in the fifth. Gonyeau reached on a walk, stole a base, and eventually scored on a passed ball. Later in the inning, CeCe Smith reached with an infield single and Tatro delivered the knockout blow, crushing a three-run home run with two outs to extend the lead to 12-1.
Tatro said the at-bat was all about making an adjustment after falling behind.
“I wanted to get ahead for my team,” said Tatro. “I swung at the first pitch and missed, so I knew I needed to adjust and wait on it a little more. I got the right part of the bat on it and it went over.”
While the Comets entered the postseason with expectations, Tatro said the team has embraced the pressure.
“There’s pressure all season on the Comets, but we definitely have more energy in the playoffs,” she said. “We want to win. We want to be here for playoffs.”
Adam Laroche
BFA’s combination of power hitting, pitching, and team chemistry has made the Comets one of the favorites in the Division I tournament. Both McGinn and Tatro pointed to the close-knit nature of the roster as a major reason for the team’s success.
“This team is so special,” said Tatro. “We all support each other and lift each other up. If someone has a hard at-bat, it’s, ‘Go get them next time.’”
Head coach Bert Berthiaume was pleased with every aspect of his team’s performance.
“Our pitching has been our strength all year, and they were great again today,” said Berthiaume. “We’ve been a power team, and we got a couple of bombs today. Good baserunning, all the little things, we did well today.”
Gonyeau recorded the final outs to secure the 12-1 victory and send the Comets into the next round.
As the postseason continues, Berthiaume knows his team will face tougher challenges ahead, but likes the position his club is in.
“It’s a win-win situation,” Berthiaume said of his pitching staff. “They’re both outstanding, and they’ll each get their opportunity.”
With a packed playoff atmosphere, timely hitting, and dominant pitching, the Comets showcased the formula they hope will carry them on a deep postseason run.