WORCESTER – Alexis Ferris started the Division 2 state softball semifinal needing nine strikeouts to become Hampshire Regional’s all-time leader.
Former Raider and UMass pitcher Barbie LaFogg held the mark with 666.
Ferris fanned eight batters, including six in a row at one point, to finish one K behind at 665.
“It doesn’t really bother me,” Ferris said. “It would have been cool (to break the record), but I just did my job.”
She didn’t strike out any batters in the first or second inning, recording her first punchout for the second out of the third inning.
Her second followed quickly to end the frame.
Those two started a streak of six consecutive strikeouts.
Three of her seven strikeouts were swinging, and four Ks flipped backwards with the batter looking.
“She’s unbelievable,” Hampshire coach Brian McGan said.
RENAISSANCE WOMAN — Katy O’Connor sang the national anthem for the third time in Hampshire’s last four games.
The junior also performed the Star Spangled Banner before the Raiders’ Western Massachusetts semifinals and finals.
“(I’ve been singing) forever I’ve just never done anything with it because sports kind of get in the way. I would do the musical in high school in a heartbeat, but it’s during basketball season,” O’Connor said. “Before games or something I always find myself at the piano at my house. My mom always says when I’m really nervous about something she tends to hear me singing upstairs.”
RETIREMENT PARTY – Hampshire Regional athletic director Ann Trytko retired Friday. The longtime teacher and former golf coach spent the last 12 years as AD.
She presented the Raiders with their championship medals and handed the championship trophy over to Hampshire’s seniors.
“These girls have given me one heck of a memory to leave with,” she said to them during the postgame awards ceremony. “I am forever grateful and proud of everything you have done for Hampshire Regional.”
LINE OF SUCCESSION – Taylor Boutwell was the first to touch the championship trophy.
The senior went 2 for 3 with a walk and two clutch RBIs.
She hit a triple that tied the game at one and slapped the game-winning single in extra innings.
BEEN THERE BEFORE – Hampshire was playing in its second consecutive state title game, while Tewksbury reached the final for the first time ever.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com.