NORWALK, Conn. -- The Norwalk Riptide softball team captured the 14U Babe Ruth State Championship Sunday, defeating New Milford, 11-3.
Amy Hurd and Ryan Lajoie shared the pitching duties, combining for 14 strikeouts and allowing only three hits. Hurd and Lajoie pitched back-to-back no-hitters in Norwalk's first games of the tournament.
New Milford scored in the top of the first inning when its leadoff hitter walked, stole second and moved to third on an error. She scored on a fielder's choice.
The Riptide countered in the bottom of the inning. Tori Dugan singled and stole second. Mallory Rochefort walked and Lajoie drove a pitch to the fence for a triple, scoring both runners. Amy Hurd walked, stole second and Lajoie and Hurd scored on a Leslie Garcia hit making it 4-1.
New Milford went down quietly over the next two innings. The Riptide put it away in the third. Becky Stefanatos, Lajoie and Hurd all singled and scored. A couple of back-to-back walks and smart base running led to three more runs and the lead was 10-1 after 3.
The Riptide added one more in the fourth when Stefanatos walked and stole second. Rochefort singled, scoring Stefanatos.
It appeared the Riptide was headed for a mercy rule win but New Milford scored two more unearned runs in the fifth to prolong the game. The last two innings were scoreless for both teams.
The Riptide now heads to Lynn, Mass., for the New England Regional tournament on July 29-31.
Team photo (back row, left to right): Coach Mike Bonanni, Nicole Bonanni, Katelyn Spielman, Amy Alfson, Ryan Lajoie, Coach Rob Rochefort, Mallory Rochefort, Erin Frederick, Coach Wally Hurd
Fron row: Mia Grenier, Tori Dugan, Allie Hall, Leslie Garcia, Amy Hurd, Becky Stefanatos.
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