Acton-Boxborough softball blanks Central for North title

Acton Boxborough softball was victorious over Central Catholic 4-0 this past Monday, becoming the North Division I Champions.

The program had never been able to clinch the championship before, although it was close in 1999 and 2007. It was something head coach Mary Matthews remembered well. “I do not think A-B softball has ever made it this far before,” she said. “My sophomore year we came close, but lost in this game and they fell short again in 2007.”

Athletic director Steve Desy noted that it was a program first. For the girls it was something they could have never imagined. During the award ceremony many of the girls kept saying “better than we could have ever imagined.”

A-B came out strong attacking with their offense. Maddie Hatch began the game with a single down the left field line. Lindsay Gibbs came up to the plate to hit a fly ball to left, although too short for Hatch to advance. Jamay Li then ripped a triple down the left field line, scoring Hatch.

Central looked to answer back in the first with their leadoff batter Brianna Martin crushing a triple to left center. A-B’s pitcher Sarah Ropiak struck two of the next three batters, the third out coming from a pop out to the catcher Gibbs.

This was the only threat of Central. Ropiak dominated the rest of the game, striking out eight and walking only one. Matthews could not be prouder of her pitcher. “You cannot talk enough about Ropiak, and even her hitting is great,” she said.

In the fifth A-B’s offense struck again. Starting the rally was Michelle Surdan hitting a single to right field, which  was missed played by the right fielder allowing her to advance to second. She moved over to third on a passed ball, but she did not score until three batters later.

With Nicole Geoffrion up to bat, infield and outfield both pulled in, Geoffrion crushed a ball over the centerfielders head. With the centerfielder trying to make a spectacular catch, the ball popped out of her glove, scoring Surdan.

A-B kept  attacking with Hatch taking the walk and Gibbs hitting a single falling just behind the shortstop. Li would draw the walk to load the bases, but A-B was not be able to capitalize on the opportunity with Ropiak popping out to shortstop.

That was not  the last offense for A-B. In the seventh inning, Gibbs started a rally by laying down a bunt for a single and then she stole second on the next pitch. Li earned her second walk of the game putting runners on first and second. Ropiak came up to the plate to rip a double down the left field line scoring Gibbs.

Central’s pitcher Meg Donegan had been a dominating pitcher all year, yet A-B had a plan to beat her. “Our plan was to put the ball in play. Start from the start. Our goal was to score first and we were able to do that,” said Matthews. 

Yet A-B’s offense was not the only reason for the win, their defense was just as powerful.  With Gibbs being perfect throwing out two of two runners, something Matthews did not understand. “Why would anyone run on Gibbs?” said Matthews.

A-B will face off against King Phillip onTuesday, in Taunton at 7 p.m. in the state semifinals.