LINCOLN – The Cranston Western All-Stars took down the Middletown All-Stars, 15-1, in the final round of the losers’ bracket of the 12U softball state tournament on Monday, July 13.
Cranston Western started hot out of the gates with a four-run first inning and struck out each of Middletown’s first three batters in the bottom of the inning. They would keep up the momentum, scoring another four runs in the next three innings while limiting Middletown to just one hit, a triple by Emily Kinter, and striking out six batters.
Cranston’s starting pitcher, Aubrey Riker, finished the game with 4.1 innings pitched, two hits, one earned run and nine strikeouts. Of Riker’s nine strikeouts, four froze the batters and caught them looking.
“She’s a bull,” Cranston manager Bobby Arrighie said. “She’s been our horse for many years, whether it be in travel, rec, all-stars or middle school. We know what she brings to the table. She’s ready to go two games tomorrow if she can.”
Cranston saved their best for last, scoring seven runs in the fifth to go up 15-0 and force a mercy rule end to the top of the inning. Middletown tried its best to take advantage of its last offensive opportunity, but it was too little, too late. They put four straight runners on base and brought one home, following a groundout to start the inning.
Cranston West had replaced Riker following the groundout with Brooke Dolan. After allowing four-straight to reach base, Dolan received a quick pep talk from one of her coaches and struck out the next two batters to clinch the 15-1 victory.
The team’s mentality is as simple as can be before their rematch against Cumberland in the championship.
“Just trying to get hits off the pitcher, so that we can score runs and beat them in the first game so that [Cumberland’s] pitcher is a little bit tired,” Riker said. “So we’ll have a little extra momentum.”
Cranston Western will take on Cumberland in the championship on Tuesday, July 14, at Sullivan Field at 6 p.m. If Cranston Western defeats Cumberland, a second game will be played to determine which team heads to Bristol, Connecticut, for the Little League World Series East Regionals.
“Nothing’s going to get them down,” Arrighie said. “They’re an experienced team. They’ve played All-Stars together for three years in a row; most of them have been together since they were seven. They played hundreds of games together. They’ve won tournament after tournament. They know what they’re capable of. They know the goal is to go tomorrow, win game one and take care of business.”
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Cranston Western routs Middletown, heads to state softball championship
