Milford softball holds on late to beat Pembroke, win second D2 title in a row

MANCHESTER – After leading off the game with a home run, the Pembroke Academy softball team could only bring across one more run, as Milford was able to hold on to a 3-2 victory in the Division II championship at Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday.

The Spartans (17-3) were able to repeat, but that wasn’t on their mind.

“We didn’t talk about that,” Milford coach Jim Rines said. “You gotta get in the right bracket. You gotta get seeded right. Then you’ve got to get on a roll. We told the kids going into this the only way you can defend your title is if you play on the last day of the season.”

Pembroke catcher Briana Connolly led off the game with a home run to give the Spartans (15-5) a 1-0 lead, but that didn’t derail Milford. The Spartans took a 2-1 lead in the second off a double from freshman Amanda Atkinson.

Milford would extend the lead to 3-2, and Pembroke continued to get base runners but couldn’t plate another run against senior Milford pitcher Delaney Parker. Connolly had a chance to drive in her second run of the game with the bases loaded, but was put out for the only time all game by lining into a double play to shortstop. She finished the game 3 for 4 as the leadoff batter.

The Spartans had a runner on third in the fourth and second and third with two outs in the sixth but failed to send anyone else home.

Pembroke did have one final chance in the seventh inning, with runners on second and third and two outs.

A runner had been on third before Parker issued a walk, and defensive indifference at second put the winning run in scoring position. Pembroke senior Rachel Denoncourt had a chance to tie the game or go ahead in the seventh, but flew out to left to end the game.

Parker gave up nine hits but was able to hold on and earn her second straight title with the Spartans.

“Give these kids credit,” Rines said. “They’re 8-0 in June the last two years. They just won their 51st game as seniors.”