Local softballers win title
Cumberland LL notches seventh crown in a row
CUMBERLAND — The Cumberland Little League Major Division all-star softball team picked up its seventh consecutive District 4 title Friday night at Diamond Hill Park, but visiting North Smithfield didn’t make it easy on the hosts.
Cumberland dominated North Smithfield in the teams’ first meeting in the winners’ bracket semifinals and the District 4 champions used an Abby LaRose two-run triple to score the first five runs in Friday’s title game.
But, something funny happened on the way to Cumberland’s coronation. North Smithfield scored three runs in the second inning and four more in the third to take a one-run lead. Cumberland battled back and eventually subdued the visitors, 16-8, behind a home run and five RBIs by LaRose and four RBIs and a pair of runs scored from No. 2 batter Madi Zancan.
“This is my second year managing this group and I love these girls,” Cumberland coach Sandi Pickering said. “These girls are great. I love them. This was the first time they’ve been down in a game in the district tournament. I think they got a little nervous, but when we work as a team we can come right back. They really just focused.”
North Smithfield, which bounced back from its first-round defeat to Cumberland with mercy-rule wins over Woonsocket and Lincoln, received a solid effort in the circle from Abby Fenton, who allowed just four runs from the end of the first inning until the fifth inning.
Lindsey Dolpe led North Smithfield offensively with two RBIs, a hit and a run scored. Lexi Bogan reached base three times and twice walked with the bases loaded to deliver runs. Laura Matchetti also had a pair of RBIs.
“We’ve been fighting all tournament long, so I expected us to battle them,” North Smithfield coach Walter Karspech said. “I’m very proud of this group. I mean, if they were expecting a walk in the park, we gave them a tough game.”
Cumberland won’t have much time to enjoy Friday’s victory because they will be back on the practice field Saturday in preparation for the four-team state tournament at Elmwood Little League in Cranston. Cumberland’s first opponent will be District 2 champion Cranston Ravens Sunday at 6 p.m.
Reigning state and Eastern regional champion Warwick North is also back in the state tournament after dominating District 3 again.
“We need to come back at practice and they need to settle down and focus on playing softball,” Pickering said. “I think we warmed up our pitchers a little too early tonight and I think on Sunday we need to give them a later warmup so they’re ready to go. We just need to continue getting better.”
Cumberland starter Jillian Sheehan worked around a hit and a walk in the first and then she led off the bottom of the first with a double. The speedy righty then stole third and appeared to hurt her leg on the play.
Sheehan was replaced by Kaidy Carr, who quickly scored on a fielder’s choice. Carr, Zancan, catcher Lizzie Pickering, LaRose and Talia Fernandes all scored runs in the inning. The big hit came off the bat of LaRose, who drove a two-run triple to center.
“Abby is phenomenal out there and I just love her,” Pickering said. “All of them are great hitters, they just need to take their time when they are up.”
North Smithfield battled back with three runs in the second inning, as Isabel Costa (single), Sophia Pouliot (walk) and India Caro (walk) scored.
Cumberland scored once in its half of the second and then North Smithfield took the lead with four runs in the third. Dolpe had the big hit when her double scored Pouliot and Bogan. But, for the second straight inning, Sheehan stranded the bases loaded.
“Jillian is definitely cool and very calm when she’s pitching,” Pickering said. “She was very resilient, especially after the first inning. We wanted to give her an inning break and then she came out and pitched great in the last three innings.”
Sheehan held North Smithfield off the scoreboard in the fourth and fifth innings, while her teammates proceeded to rack up 10 runs, including seven in the fifth inning to ensure another trip to the state tournament.