CHESHIRE — In a Senior Day showdown, the Cheshire Rams emerged victorious with a 3-0 softball triumph over the visiting Sheehan Titans.
Cheshire's senior pitcher, Karissa Spring, stole the show in an unforgettable game, her last at home.
With help from senior catcher Jordan Chymbor, Spring hurled a no-hitter, striking out seven and yielding only two walks.
“I knew this may potentially be my last home game; I obviously wanted this to be a successful and a good memory,” said Spring. “So I knew I had to focus on one girl at a time and one pitch at a time.”
Spring's effort extended beyond the pitcher's circle. She also drove in a run.
However, the road to victory was far from easy. Sheehan ace Trinity LaValley was a formidable adversary, turning the contest into an enthralling pitching duel.
Spring retired nine of the first 10 batters she faced. The lone Sheehan base runner, LaValley, walked with one out in the first inning and stolen second. Spring responded by striking out the next batter.
Meanwhile, LaValley mirrored Spring, retiring nine of the first 10 she faced, allowing only a leadoff walk to Erin Hersh in the third.
In the fourth, Spring got solid support from her defense. Shortstop Julia Miller made a stellar play on a ground ball up the middle.
In the bottom half, Cheshire threatened, putting two aboard via walks to Spring and Karla Carangelo. LaValley settled down and got two outs to keep the game scoreless.
The top of the fifth inning showcased Spring's multi-faceted abilities. With one out, she pounced on a bunt and made an accurate throw to retire the runner. Energized by the play, Spring recorded her fifth strikeout.
As the frame ended, the Rams huddled with coach Kristine Drust. Whatever was said had an immediate impact.
“Just continuing to talk about adjustments up to bat,” explained Drust. “What we’re seeing, how to get her to throw more pitches, really just trying to make adjustments.”
Hersh led off with a bloop single down the right field line for Cheshire’s first hit of the game. A pinch-runner came on and Sheehan catcher Julia Cassesse threw her out on a steal attempt.
Undeterred, the Rams loaded the bases on walks to Kayla Chymbor and Ava Pearson and a sharp single to left by Bailey Vitazza. Spring stepped up and delivered a fly to center deep enough to score the game’s first run.
“Knowing they have my back when I’m pitching, I want to have their back when I’m hitting,” said Spring.
“Just seeing our first run of the game with Jordan Chymbor on third and Karissa with the sac fly to put us on the board, I thought was a little poetic for Senior Day,” said Durst.
In the sixth, with two away, Miller once again made a stout play at short. Tracking a ball up the middle, Miller made a strong throw to Vitanza, who skillfully scooped the ball out of the dirt at first base to end the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Rams extended their lead to 2-0 when Carangelo smashed a leadoff home run over the left field fence.
The Rams made it 3-0 before the inning was out. Jordan McCue drew a walk before Molly Fleming singled to right. On the cutoff throw, Fleming almost got caught in a rundown. However, a wild throw allowed McCue to round third and score.
As the top of the seventh arrived, the Rams had their sights set on the no-hitter. However, a leadoff walk and error put two Sheehan runners on base.
Spring rose to the occasion. With the game on the line, she dug deep and struck out two of the next three batters.
“All in all, I think the thing that won us today was the energy behind our seniors and the energy that our dugout had, for sure,” said Drust.
Cheshire closed the regular season at 14-5, Sheehan at 11-9.