In their season opener on Tuesday, St. Paul's softball team showcased their depth and resilience, clinching a hard-fought 8-5 victory against Nobles on the road. The bottom of the lineup emerged as crucial contributors in this thrilling encounter.
Early on, St. Paul's asserted their presence, with Heather Cotter's sacrifice fly in the first inning putting them on the scoreboard. The game remained tight until the top of the fifth when Brooklyn Godisak's timely single paved the way for a lead, followed by Dakota Martinez's double that extended the advantage to 5-1.
However, Nobles fought back, with Keaveney's impressive homer in the bottom of the sixth inning leveling the score at five runs apiece, setting the stage for a tense finish.
St. Paul's rose to the occasion in the crucial seventh inning. Cotter's single, coupled with a Nobles error and Morgan Barbossa's decisive hit, propelled St. Paul's back into the lead, a lead they would successfully defend.
Cotter played a pivotal role, earning the win for St. Paul's after a solid performance on the mound. Despite facing a determined Nobles lineup, Cotter remained composed, striking out 12 batters while walking eight, ultimately securing victory for her team.
Martinez's performance in the middle of the lineup proved instrumental, leading St. Paul's with three runs batted in. Additionally, Godisak and Barbossa's contributions with the bat, each collecting two hits, bolstered St. Paul's offensive efforts.
Alison Jankowski displayed discipline at the plate, drawing two walks for St. Paul's, underscoring the team's overall strong eye and patience throughout the game, which resulted in a total of five walks.
On the opposing side, Nobles demonstrated resilience, led by Keaveney's impactful hitting and Mead's solid performance at the plate. Rutledge's three walks showcased Nobles' disciplined approach, accumulating a total of eight walks for the team.
Looking ahead, St. Paul's is set to face Thayer Academy in their next matchup on Saturday indoors at the NH SportsDome. With this opening win under their belt, St. Paul's enters the upcoming fixtures with momentum and determination, ready to build upon their early success in the season.
