ST. ALBANS – On Tuesday, June 9, the No. 1 BFA-St. Albans Comets cruised to an 11-0 victory over the No. 4 Mount Anthony Patriots in the semifinal round of the D1 softball tournament. The Comets will face No. 3 Colchester in the final this weekend.
The Comets were led by Irie Shedd in the circle; the freshman threw six innings, striking out 14 while allowing one hit and walking one.
Shedd said, “I love our celebrations and the team atmosphere. It was a really good game, and our energy was up. That’s what I’ll remember most.”
When asked about playing in her first D1 final, Shedd said, “I’ve gone so many times to watch so it will be really cool to go and play on that field with this team.”
Adam Laroche
Mount Anthony limited the Comets to a lead off double by Chatham Brouillette in the first inning, but Isabella Stuart sparked the Comets’ offense with a two home run in the second. Emma Parah added a single, and Nora Tatro smacked an RBI double to give the Comets a three run lead.
When asked about her home run, Stuart said, “My teammates have really ignited confidence in me. I was glad to get us started.”
Stuart spoke of the upcoming final: “This weekend is going to be great. We have a great group of girls, and we’re excited to showcase what we can do, and I hope we take it home.”
Adam Laroche
Irie Shedd remained dominant through the top of the third for the Comets, and went to work in the top of the fourth, retiring the first batter and inducing two fly balls for outs.
Brouillette launched a two-out triple to left for the Comets in the fourth, but a fielder’s choice ended the inning before the run could score.
The Comets added a run in the fifth, as Jillian Smith singled for the Comets, and Megan Gonyeau drove Smith for the team’s fourth run. Julia Hungerford, running for Gonyeau, stole second and third, and eventually scored the fifth run on a passed ball.
Shedd struck out the lead off batter and induced a ground ball to second to get two quick outs in the top of the sixth. A miscue allowed a Patriot to reach first and keep Mt. Anthony’s hopes alive. Shedd dashed those hopes with a strikeout, ending the top of the sixth.
Adam Laroche
The Comets added seven runs in the bottom of the sixth. Aubrey Marchessault got the offense going with a lead off single down the first base line. Ella Dunnigan’s hit gave the Comets two runners, and Brouillette smacked her third hit of the game, plating one run. Parah scored the seventh run on a passed ball.
The Comets closed the game with confidence as Tatro delivered a two run homer. Marah McGinn singled and eventually scored on a Patriot miscue, and Gonyeau doubled to the wall scoring a run.
Gonyeau replaced Shedd in the circle for the top of the seventh, getting three quick outs to end the inning and secure the Comets a trip to the D1 final.
Adam Laroche
Comet coach Bert Berthiaume praised the team, beginning with freshman pitcher Irie Shedd: “Irie was awesome. She walked the first batter, and then she settled in and was tremendous.She gave up one infield hit the entire game, and was dominating and in control once again.”
Berthiaume also complimented senior catcher, Nora Tatro, saying, “I have to give credit to Nora, because when you have a good pitcher, you need a good catcher, and we have Nora.”
Stuart’s home run was also a highlight according to Berthiaume: “Bella’s home run in the second inning let us relax, and we got some nice hits from many people today.”
We’re looking forward to it. Colchester is a good team, and we had two good battles with them. Hopefully, we’ll bring our A game.”