Late Rally Propels Masuk to 2nd Straight Softball Title [VIDEO]

STRATFORD, CT — For nearly six full innings in the Class L state softball championship game, a pitcher's duel between Masuk's Sam Schiebe and East Haven's Tori Heapy seemed as if it would remain scoreless until Saturday, or even later. Neither hurler would give any ground, escaping the few jams they would encounter.

Masuk finally broke through with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, then Schiebe shook off a two-out walk to retire Jilien Ayala on a fly ball to nail down the Panthers' second straight state title with a 2-0 victory Friday night at DeLuca Field.

Schiebe struck out 16 Yellowjackets while allowing just two hits and four walks. She was named Most Valuable Player of the championship contest.

Megan McFarland, a left-handed hitter, started the game-winning rally in the bottom of the sixth for Masuk with a double just inside the left field line. Sarah Falcone dropped a perfect bunt just past a charging infielder to put runners on first and third, and Gretchen Bunovsky was walked intentionally to load the bases and set up a force play at home.

Madison Procyk delivered what proved to be the decisive run with a sacrifice fly to center field, then after Schiebe walked to load the bases, Kaitlyn Welch was hit by a pitch to force home the second run.

Heapy pitched well for the 16th-seeded Yellowjackets, allowing five hits and striking out six.

(Tim Jensen/Patch Media Corp.)