PLYMOUTH, N.H. — As the final out was harmlessly popped into the air, a sea of Pinkerton red and white overtook the pitcher’s circle, converging on emotional ace Julia Caruso.
With the chance to send Pinkerton softball to its first state title game in 20 years, the superstar pitcher was better than dominant.
She was totally unhittable.
Caruso fired a no-hitter, overwhelming a Bishop Guertin squad that could not manage any real, solid contact in a truly commanding performance, as No. 2-seeded Pinkerton bested the No. 7 Cardinals 5-0 in the Division I semifinals on Wednesday night at Plymouth State.
“This is so amazing!” said Caruso. “I’m just so happy for the whole team. I actually didn’t even know I threw a no-hitter! I didn’t realize until you told me. That’s crazy. I’ve never been in a position like this before. I’m just so happy to be able to keep playing with these girls and play for a state title.”
The Astros advance to their first title game since falling to Concord in the then-named Class L championship in 2005, the year after beating Alvirne (2-0) for the 2004 Class L title.
Pinkerton will play in the Division I title game on Saturday (4:30 p.m.) back at Plymouth State.
“We are so hyped!” said second baseman Ryleigh Michaud, who had two hits and scored a run out of the No. 9 spot. “We lost in this round last year, and we came into today knowing the feeling of losing, and knowing this game was going to be different. Then we went out there and pulled it off. It’s awesome.”
The win comes one year after Pinkerton fell to Londonderry 2-0 in the Division I semis, despite then-freshman Caruso surrendering just a single hit through six innings.
“Last year was really heartbreaking,” said Caruso.”And Londonderry ended up playing BG in the title game. It was our turn this year, and we are so excited to start preparing for Saturday.”
Caruso finished Wednesday’s masterpiece with 13 strikeouts, and allowed just one ball out of the infield, which centerfielder Caitlyn Lemay easily tracked down. She established her brilliance early, recording strikeouts on eight of the first nine Bishop Guertin outs.
The only trouble Caruso found herself in was in the sixth, when the Cardinals loaded the bases on an error and a pair of walks.
Caruso then threw a wild pitch, but sprinted to home plate, grabbed the throw from catcher Brielle Foote and got the tag down on the BG runner’s cleats, getting spiked in the process.
“She ran into me a little, and it hurt a little bit,” said Caruso, who seemed to favor her hand for a minute, with a laugh. “But that’s all part of the game. I was fine. My screwball was really working tonight, and my changeup.”
After going scoreless through three innings, it was Caruso that sparked the go-ahead rally with a single to start the fourth. Her courtesy runner Samantha Harrington scampered home on a Cara Murray double to right field. Murray then score on a passed ball.
“I knew what I had to do, just keep my head on the ball,” said Murray. “I could hear my teammates and coaches cheering for me. I made contact, and I felt like it was going to fall in. I think that took a little pressure off us. I saw everyone cheering, and I knew we were going to win the game.”
The Astros took control with a three-run fifth. Michaud and Molly Wheale (3 for 4) opened the inning with singles, Foote plated a run with a ground-out, then Caruso had an RBI-single and Abigail Caravalho added an RBI-double. That’s when the celebration started brewing.
“This is a very resilient group,” said Pinkerton coach Tom Wall. “You know, 2005 is a long time ago. Twenty years since our last championship game. That’s pretty special. It’s a pleasure to be playing on Saturday.”
Pinkerton 5, Bishop Guertin 0
Division I Semifinals
Bishop Guertin (0) — Sophia Bilodeau 2b 3-0-0, Bella Nutting 3b 1-0-0, Meara Mcdevitt ss 3-0-0, Gabby Gillette cf 3-0-0, Jenny Davey p 2-0-0, Kaylyn Miles c 3-0-0, Chloe Sellers rf 3-0-0, Avery Zapanas lf 2-0-0, Kailey Oleksak 1b 0-0-0. Totals 20-0-0
Pinkerton (5) — Molly Wheale ss 4-1-3, Caitlyn Lemay cf 4-0-0, Brielle Foote c 3-0-0, Julia Caruso p 3-0-2, Samantha Harrington cr 0-2-0, Abigail Caravalho lf 2-0-1, Nalia Hilton dp 2-0-0, Cara Murray rf 3-1-1, Isaella Fall 3b 3-0-1, Ryleigh Michaud 2b 3-1-2. Totals 27-5-10
RBIs: Foote, Caravalho, Murray, Caruso
WP: Caruso (7 ip, 12 Ks); LP: Davey
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