Clutch plays, defense propel No. 1 Case softball past Advanced Math & Science in playoffs

SWANSEA — Defense wins championships.

Led by shortstop Lily Picard, the Case softball team took another step in achieving the ultimate goal.

"We work hard at it all the time and every day at practice," said Picard about the defense.

The No. 1 seeded Cardinals advance to the Elite 8 after beating 16th seed Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School, 6-1, in Wednesday's Division IV Round of 16 contest at Brown Elementary School.

With the victory, Case (21-1) will host eighth seed Uxbridge on Friday afternoon.

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"I've coached softball, travel and 18U for a long time and I have to tell you that this Case team is one of the most solid all-around team that we've run into," said Eagles head coach Jason Ayik, whose team finished the year at 12-8. "You can tell they have some seasoning together as a team. We knew we had to play a clean game and outhit them. But after watching them, they are a better hitting team than we are."

Hailey Berube was laser-focused in the circle for the Cardinals in the win. The senior right-hander pitched the complete game, scattering seven hits, allowed two walks while striking out five in her 87-pitch outing. She threw 16 first pitches for strikes, induced eight ground ball outs and retired five batters on the first pitch.

"It felt amazing today because I haven't been pitching like that in the last couple of games," Berube said. "I feel like this was one of the best games I pitched this season."

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Defense was the story in this one and it began in the first inning.

Case senior catcher Olivia Silva gunned down Brooke Laudate at third base on a pickoff attempt after the Eagles had runners on second and third to end the first inning.

"I watched the videos on Olivia [Silva] and told my girls, "Ayik said. "We knew exactly what she was going to do. Unfortunately, the girl who got picked off was a seventh grade player. She goes, 'I did not take a big lead'. I tell her you don't need to she has a cannon."

In the second inning, second baseman Lexi Yost backed up an errant throw to first and threw a strike to Picard to cut down Sophia Hammel at second base. First baseman Breanna Fontes went to her right to knock down a hard hit ball in the fourth inning then tossing to Yost for the third out. Picard and Yost then combined for a 4-6-3 double play in the fifth inning.

"I think what stood out a lot today for us was my girls were where they're supposed to be at all times," Cardinals head coach Shannon Silva said. "My outfield played great today and Hailey [Berube] pitched a good game today which was good to see. Lily [Picard] played a phenomenal shortstop today."

How it happened

Case opened up the scoring in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Megan Smith tripled down the line at third base. Yost then drove in Smith on a groundout.

In the second inning, Skye Dupre doubled to the gap in right center field. After a sacrifice bunt by Jamie Moniz — first of two on the day — Berube hit a fly ball to center field that scored Dupre on a bang-bang play at the plate to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.

Case opened its lead up to 5-0 in the third inning. Yost and Silva began the frame with hard hit singles. Orton drew a walk to load the bases. Fontes then lined a single up the middle to score Yost and courtesy runner Madilyn Botelho.

Fontes then created what looked like a bad base-running mistake by charging to third on a groundout. But she forced a rundown at second base and got back safely as Orton scored easily from third to make it 5-0.

Dupre hit her second double of the game and scored on a wild pitch.

Advanced Math & Science scored its lone run of the game when senior starter Ashley Correll doubled in Hammell. Berube got the next two hitters on a strikeout and a pop out to end the game.

Dupre (two runs) and Smith (run) each had a pair of hits for Case in the win. Silva (single) reached base all four times. Correll allowed seven hits, walked four and had three strikeouts. Grace Galvin led the Eagles with two hits.

Ayik talks the makeup of his team and the future

"I have two seventh graders, two eighth graders and two freshmen on my starting lineup out of that nine. We have such a diverse team that really do play well. I think in a few years when they learn how to play the game together a little better, I think we're going to be an extremely strong team. I think we played really well. I'm proud of them and I'm looking forward to mulitple years with these same girls."

Silva talks about the competition Advanced Math & Science brought

"I thought that was the best team we've faced all year. Good for us, [it helps us] going into the next couple of games. I'm shocked that they're a 16th seed. I think that was the best pitcher we faced all year. One of things I was happy with was the adjustments my girls made in their at bats from the very first at bat."

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Chezsports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Case High softball advances to the Division IV Elite 8 tournament