Even Mother Nature Can't Stop KP Softball Team

Not since the fourth inning of the fourth game — some three weeks ago — has an opponent scored upon the King Philip pitching staff.

The duo of Meg Rico and Megan Carnase had blanked teams for 55 straight innings since North Attleboro had a runner cross the plate in early April. A single tally was not enough as the Warriors rolled to their 12th win of the season defeating Oliver Ames 4-1 in Plainville.

Mother Nature did all she could to aid the Tigers in their quest to be the first to knock off the unbeaten Warriors with two rain showers, the second which also included hail and caused a brief halt to the game. OA’s Nicole Duffy-Protentis doubled home Nicole LeBlanc with two outs in the top of the fourth, cutting into KP’s then-3-0 lead. The Oliver Ames run was the first earned run allowed by KP this season.

“To think that we were going to go the entire season un-scored upon is unheard of,” King Philip Coach Jim Leonard said. “If it were a dry field, things may have been different. It’s not a big deal, results are important and the end result was a win.”

King Philip scored first when Hailey Mullen reached first on a bunt that chased home Breanna Schaffer, who had gone in to run for Olivia Godin. The catcher had opened the second inning with a single.

The home team would extend its lead with a pair of runs in the very next inning. Centerfielder Alyssa Siegmann opened the inning with a double off OA pitcher Elizabeth Batsinelas. Following an infield hit, Carnase stole second base with the throw sailing into center field, Siegmann trotted home. Carnase would later score on a Godin double to give the Warriors a 3-0 lead through three innings of play. KP would add its final run in the fourth courtesy of an Anna Kelley sacrifice.

KP banged out eight hits in the win, with Godin (2-3) being the only batter with multiple hits. Jen Robillard, Siegmann, Carnase, Cayleigh McCarthy, Tori Constantin and Mullen all had single tallies in the Warrior win.

“We faced a very good pitcher today,” the coach said. “It was good for the team to have to play a quality opponent; we needed to manufacture runs early.  I have a lot of respect for Oliver Ames, they always play hard.”

On the mound Rico went the distance for her eighth win. The junior pitcher fanned another 14 batters, upping her total to 118 on the season, while only allowing four hits. KP will host Franklin (Monday), Mansfield (Wednesday) and Coyle Cassidy (Friday) next week.