Sophomore Poirier Leads King Philip Past Norwood

With three King Philip players suspended for their tournament game against Norwood for violating team rules, it took an unfamiliar face to get the Warriors past the Stallions.

It wasn’t until the day before the game that sophomore Renee Poirier got word she would start for KP but by the way she threw, it would be hard to assume that she pitched more than a handful of games this season.

“A little surprised but excited, really excited to prove myself,” Poirier said of the chance to play. “I pitched that game for my captains because I did everything I could to make sure they weren't sitting down for their last game.”

Behind the sophomores’ seven strikeouts, the Warriors beat the Stallions 3-1 to advance to the quarterfinal round of the MIAA Division 1 South softball tournament against Milford.

In addition, Poirier only gave up one hit, a home run to Kelly Duggan in the fourth inning.

“She battled. Can’t put it any different way. She willed it,” King Philip head coach Norm Beauchemin said. “She’s been on the mound a couple of time and that’s the reason why, in case something happened down the line.”

Taking advantage of a young and nervous Norwood squad, the Warriors picked up two quick runs in the bottom of the first inning when Bri Sebio’s double scored a pair of runs early in the game.

After giving up a home run in the fourth inning, Poirier found herself with two on and two out with the Warriors up 2-1. Despite the jam, the KP pitcher was able to force Erin Garczynski to hit a fly out into foul territory to end the inning.

The Warriors were able to get an extra insurance run when Sebio was able to score on a passed ball from third base to make it a 3-1 game with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Before the run, the Mustangs had a chance to end the inning after Haley Anchukaitis was caught in a rundown trying to steal second. Almost getting the out, Norwood's youth showed as Anchukaitis was able to take second base.

“That third run should have never scored. We had the kid dead in the water on the rundown and we froze. Freshman had the ball, didn’t think she could do it,” Norwood coach Carol Savino said.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Warriors were able to get three fly outs to advance out of the first round of the Division 1 South tournament.

The Warriors will play at Milford on June 3 at 4 p.m.