The Johnston Lady Panthers edged out the St. Raphael Academy Saints, 3-1, on Thursday afternoon at Mazzulla Field in the D-II playoffs.
Johnston’s standout shortstop, Jordan Moretti, drove in two runs in the bottom of the second inning to give the Panthers the lead, and they never looked back.
“I knew we had to do something and just to get the team going, it was a big hit,” Moretti said.
Johnston head coach Manny DaCosta knew that this one was going to be a nail biter.
“We knew that they are more of a defensive pitching team and we knew it was going to be a close game because the last time we played them it came down to one run,” DaCosta said. “So, that’s why we just needed to stay ahead of them. It’s nice to get out in front and then play with the lead.”
Madison Plouffe, the team’s ace, was exceptional yet again, pitching a complete game and finishing with four punch outs.
“Maddie pitched a fantastic game,” DaCosta said. “I really thought that she was on target today, which was nice.”
St. Ray’s leadoff hitter Ashley Bullen reached via a single up the middle in the top of the first. Next, Taylor Troiano used a bunt to get runners on first and second. But, Plouffe would get the next hitter, Haley Howarth, to pop up to the second baseman, Lauren Civetti, before getting Saylor Costa to fly out. With runners at the corners, Taylor Moreau lined out to a leaping Moretti for the final out.
In the top of the second, Cameille Keith worked a two-out walk for St. Ray’s. On a passed ball, the runner moved up to second. Kaylee Contreras worked a walk next. Then, Bullen hit an infield single that scored a run, putting St. Ray’s up 1-0.
In the bottom of the inning, Johnston’s Katarina St. Angelo walked to lead off. Next, Emily Raposo reached with a single. With one out, Samantha Febus notched a single to load the bases. That’s when Moretti hit a two-out, two-run scoring single, giving Johnston a 2-1 edge. Civetti followed that with an RBI single, giving Johnston a 3-1 advantage.
Moretti looked ahead to Johnston’s next opponent, Mount St. Charles, which it fell to, 10-0, the last time the two teams met.
“We’ve got to stay positive and just have clean defense and we have to hit the ball,” Moretti said. “We’ve just got to keep up and stay positive.”
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