Case rallies in seventh for thrilling softball win over Coyle-Cassidy

This was one of your classic never-say-die moments.

TAUNTON - This was one of your classic never-say-die moments.

Freshman Riley Fitzgerald's run-scoring single to center capped a wild, three-run seventh inning that sent the Case Cardinals into the Division 3 South softball finals with a 7-6 victory over Coyle-Cassidy at Taunton High School on Tuesday.

The Cardinals, seeded sixth, will play fourth-seeded Abington on Friday at 5 for the Division 3 South title.

Trailing 6-4 and down to their final three outs, the Cardinals put together five straight hits, ignited by Madyson Medeiros' leadoff blooper that fell in for a double, to earn the berth in Friday's championship game.

Case High freshman Riley Fitzgerald after her game-winning single capped 3-run 7th-inning rally to beat Coyle 7-6 D3 S semifinal. @CaseSports @CASEhoophistory @caseprince pic.twitter.com/wKbdNpCpsX

— Greg Sullivan (@GregSullivanHN) June 13, 2018//
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Case's big inning came after the 15th-seeded Warriors struck for four runs, keyed by a Sarah Rebello double, to take a 6-4 lead into the seventh inning.

"I think a lot of teams would've been deflated by that, but this group has that it's-never-over mentality," said Case coach Michaela Goncalves. "When Maddie hit that little bloop, I told her that good things happen to good people when she came over to third."

The Warriors struck first in this one when Rebello hit a mammoth home run to left-center to drive in Samantha Flaven in the top of the first.

The lead, however, was short lived as the Cards got those runs back in the bottom of the inning when Fallon Marchand, who had singled, scored on a wild pitch, and Medeiros drove home Autumn Medeiros.

Madyson Medeiros after Case scores 3 runs bottom 7th to defeat Coyle & Cassidy 7-6 in D3 South softball semifinal. @CaseSports @caseprince pic.twitter.com/Kiyk3uxS5V

— Greg Sullivan (@GregSullivanHN) June 12, 2018//

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Case extended its lead to 4-2 with single runs in the second and third innings off Warriors pitcher Kennedy Reyes.

Case pitcher Aubrey Carpenter held Coyle-Cassidy scoreless for four straight innings before running into trouble in the four-run sixth.

The Warriors' first five batters reached base before third baseman Autumn Medeiros helped stop the bleeding by snagging a line drive and stepping on third for a double play.

Sophomore Riley Burgess came on to pitch the seventh for the Cardinals, retiring the side in order.

"We wanted to give (Coyle-Cassidy) a change of pace," said Goncalves of the pitching change. "They had scored a few runs in the sixth and we wanted to make the change and see if it sparked us. Aubrey and Riley are our dynamic duo. they are always supporting each other."

Marchand and Madyson Medeiros finished with three hits for the winners.

"We're excited to be going back to the South finals, " Goncalves said. "I'm especially happy for our three seniors (Autumn Medeiros, Marchand and Kylie Lecomte)."

Abington defeated West Bridgewater 6-2 in the other South semifinal contest Tuesday.

"I know (Abington) beat Norton 5-4 this year for, I think, their only loss," Goncalves said. "They got 12 hits in that game. I know they have four seniors going on to play college ball. We're excited for Friday."

To see other Tweets (action and interview) from this game, click here.