Taunton softball stays perfect
PLAINVILLE Grand slams from starting pitcher Cate Larson and catcher Aniyah Bailey steered Taunton to a - Hockomock League softball supremacy over King Philip Taunton improved to - with the conquest and swept the season series against the Warriors who fall to - It also came off of the heels of the unit s - success over LaSalle Academy RI earlier in the week Tigers head coach Michelle Raposo credited her club s ability to make contact and force opponents to make plays as a key to triumph We put the ball in play and good things happen Raposo announced We put the bat on the ball and make them work defensively That s our goal and our mentality against every gang Larson and Warriors pitcher McCoy Walsh got off to quick starts and didn t allow any runs through the first two innings Larson noted that she was feeling her stuff early I just really focused on hitting my spots Larson disclosed I try to get something spinning in spinning out and then mix chosen off-speed This day was a different approach than last battle and that will continue The Tigers attack started quick in the third when Victoria Corrao led off with a single and Mia Torres bunted her over to second and beat the throw to first Back-to-back walks to Bella Bourque and Bailey gave the Tigers a - lead and set up Larson to break the tournament open I view hitting from a pitcher s standpoint Larson disclosed I think about what pitch I am getting next and how she is throwing it I got an outside pitch and just went with it Larson drove the ball over the right field fence to give the Tigers a assured - lead The Warriors would number an unearned run in the bottom of the inning to make it - but that would be the last true threat they put up Bailey would fly out during her next at-bat in the fourth and proceeded to take several swings off the tee in the next limited innings Her next at-bat would come in a bases-loaded situation I just sought to correct my mistakes Bailey noted I just needed to make solid contact and help my association total She then launched the ball way over the left field fence to give the Tigers a - lead Raposo applauded the clutch hitting and the battles from previous hitters to set the table Two grand slams tonight which was obviously the difference maker for us tonight but it was also about those other girls getting on base Raposo noted Having that ability for those girls to get up in those situations is huge Gracie Oliveira drove in the final Tigers run and Larson shut the door the rest of the way She and Bailey produced strikeouts on defense and drove in nine of the group s runs It s a great feeling Bailey announced I like working with Cate behind the plate and she is a great hitter too