Berlin Softball Upsets Rockville To Advance To Semifinals

The Berlin softball team used an incredible pitching effort from junior Makayla Harris and three runs in the first inning to beat Rockville in the Class L state tournament quarterfinals Friday. 

Rockville had just one loss all season coming into the game but were not as ready to play as the Redcoats, now 20-3. 

Brittany Sullivan was on third base when she was struck by a line drive and injured and gave way to pinch runner Emily Ference. Ference, a junior, showed no hesitation as she raced home on a wild pitch to give Berlin a 1-0 lead. 

Harris then knocked in two more runs to help her cause with a double and Berlin led 3-0. That was the only scoring for the rest of the game.

Harris went the distance, allowing three hits and striking out nine.

Berlin advances to the semifinals for the first time in 21 years according to head coach Jason Pires.

"Congratulations to the Lady Redcoats Softball team going to the semifinals for the first time in 21 years by defeating 20-1 Rockville 3-0 Friday afternoon," he said. "I couldn't be prouder."

Next up for Berlin will be another tough opponent. The Redcoats are scheduled to play Masuk-Monroe either Tuesday or Wednesday at a site and time to be announced. Masuk was the home of perhaps the best pitcher to ever come out of Connecticut, Rachel Fico. She is now playing at LSU. Masuk is 22-0.