PLYMOUTH, N.H. — For a few moments, it appeared Pinkerton softball may have stolen the momentum with a state title on the line.
Cara Murray led off the third inning by blasting a triple to right field, then scampered home on a wild pitch one batter later to tie the game, and send the upset-minded Astro players and fans into hysterics.
But that was as good as it would get for Pinkerton.
Londonderry ace Elisabeth Kearney set the next 13 batters down in order, and did not allow hit the rest of the way, as the top-seeded Lancers defeated their archrival No. 3 Astros 4-1 in the Division I championship game at Plymouth State University.
This marked the first state title appearance for Pinkerton (18-4) since 2005. The Lancers (22-0) took home their second straight state title.
“We came in loose, but we had to face a very, very good pitcher,” said Pinkerton coach Tom Wall of Kearney, who finished the game with 15 strikeouts and allowed just the one hit. “We made better contact against her than the last time we played (6-0 loss in the regular season). Especially Cara’s shot. That was something. We worked on it and got the bats working, but just not enough.”
Pinkerton pitcher Julia Caruso and third baseman Isabella Fall each nearly went deep for home runs, but both shots were tracked down at the warning track. The Astros’ next best chance to score was in the seventh, when catcher Brielle Foote walked and courtesy runner Riley Morissette advanced to third on a passed ball and a wild pitch. But Kearney closed out the title for the Lancers.
Caruso pitched well, scattering six hits — four of which didn’t leave the infield — and struck out six.
“I am so very proud of my girls because of the work they put in,” said Wall. “They came back time and time again, and we fought the entire season. This is a group of amazing, amazing kids.”
Londonderry 4, Pinkerton 1
Pinkerton (1): Mollie Wheale ss 3-0-0, Caitlyn Lemay cf 3-0-0, Brielle Foote c 2-0-0, Julia Caruso p 3-0-0, Abigail Carvalho l 3-0-0, Nalia Hilton dp 2-0-0, Cara Murray 2-1-1, Isabella Fall 3b 2-0-0, Ryleigh Michaud 2b 2-0-0, Alyssa Camell rf/flex 0-0-0. Totals 22-1-1
Londonderry (4): Alison Chambers ss 4-1-1, Abigail Austen 3b 3-0-1, Elisabeth Kearney p 3-0-0, Ginny Flaherty 1b 2-0-0, Allison DiNovo cr 0-1-0, Riley Campo cf 2-1-1, Shannon Crowley 2b 2-1-1, Madeline Normand rf 3-0-1, Jen Raza c 2-0-0, Sadie Moore lf 3-0-1. Totals 24-4-6
RBIs: L — Crowley, Normand, Moore
WP: Kearney; LP: Caruso