Stoughton High Softball Tops Sharon in Pitchers' Duel

The Stoughton High softball team scored single runs in the first and second innings taking an early 2-0 lead against in a Saturday morning game at home. It was all the offense the Black Knights could muster against Sharon starter Brittany Whiting, but it was all the offense they would need.

Stoughton starter Jessie Olans grounded the Eagles offensive attack, helping lead the Black Knights to a pivotal 2-1 victory against their Davenport Division rival.

“The kids played great. Our pitching and catching were phenomenal. We kept them off balance all game,” Stoughton coach Janet Sullivan said.

Entering Saturday’s game at 7-9 and needing to end the regular season with 10 wins to reach the postseason tournament, Stoughton second baseman Megan Guerard went so far as to say the Sharon game was a must-win for Stoughton.

“Basically [Saturday] was a deal breaker. We either lost and pretty much didn’t make the tournament or won and kept going forward,” she said. “It was a good win.”

Both Stoughton and Sharon are now 8-9 and need to win two of their final three games to make it into the postseason.

Saturday’s game was all about the pitching, as neither starter gave the other team much to work with.

“I thought it was a fairly even [pitching] matchup,” Sharon coach Deb Parker said. "I think Jessie [Olans] is a real good pitcher. She’s always been strong for them and Brittany [Whiting] has been great for us. For three years she’s pitched every game. I give them both a lot of credit.”

Stoughton scored in the bottom of the first. Colleen Flaherty led off the inning with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly from her sister Megan Flaherty.

The Black Knights added to their lead in the bottom of the second. Olans led off the inning with a single and two batters later, Guerard singled to bring Olans home and give Stoughton a 2-0 lead.

Whiting allowed just one more walk and one more hit the rest of the game.

Olans breezed through the first 5 2/3 innings, scattering three hits and a walk. But with two outs in the sixth, and trailing 2-0, the Sharon bats came alive.

Kristine Mckee doubled. Kelsey Whiting followed with a single, driving in Mckee to cut the Stoughton lead to 2-1. Dani Fine then walked, putting runners at first and second. But Olans got out of the jam when Emily Howards flied out to Colleen Flaherty in centerfield to end the inning.

[Stoughton getting out of the jam] was really important, especially because we weren’t hitting today, so every baserunner was important and critical to us,” Parker said. “So, hats off to them for digging out.”

Sharon went down in order in the seventh, with Stoughton holding on for the win.

As has been the case in many of the team’s wins this season, Sullivan gave credit to the defense.

“We had solid defense all game,” Sullivan said. Megan Guerard, Megan Flaherty—actually the whole team pulled it together. We had a great defensive game and had just enough offense to get the win.”

Sullivan said she believes her team can get the two wins needed to clinch a spot in the postseason.

“I’ve had confidence in this team all along,” she said. “We have two of three left that we need to win. We’d like to win all three. Can we do it? Absolutely. If we come out and play our game and are ready to roll.”

Stoughton travels to on Monday for the first of the three scheduled games this upcoming week.