Richmond softball clips Country Day, 1-0, in wild finish to win regional title

BEVERLY HILLS — There was no doubt in Piper Clark's mind. The Richmond softball's team lone senior, who represented the game-winning run, knew exactly what to do.

After sliding safely into third base, she saw the throw get past the third baseman. Clark rose to her feet, turned left and bolted to home plate.

She was met with a hug from teammate Emma Bambrick upon arrival, because now there was no doubt about it. The Blue Devils were regional champions.

Richmond clipped Detroit Country Day, 1-0, in a Division 2 regional final at Blue & Gold Club Stadium on Saturday.

Sophomore Katie Shuboy struck out 14 in a complete-game shutout for the Blue Devils, who improved to 27-8 overall and advanced to Tuesday's state quarterfinal against Frankenmuth.

"I heard everyone in the stands screaming," Clark said of the game's final play. "So I was like, 'Okay, I'm going.' My heart immediately started racing and I just saw everyone running at me. I got a little scared, but I was very excited. I'm so proud of us."

The dramatic finish was the result of Clark's aggressiveness. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, she was standing on second base while junior Abbey Rinehart had a full count in the batter's box.

Rinehart held off on the next pitch and drew a walk.

"It was a ball outside in the bottom corner," Rinehart said. "(My teammates) were talking about it in the dugout before, how it was going to be an outside pitch. So I was waiting for it, I saw it and was running."

As the pitch was thrown, Clark noticed Country Day's third baseman wasn't paying attention to the bag and made a break for it.

The Yellowjackets' catcher immediately fired the ball to third. But the throw sailed left of the third baseman and into the outfield. It was the perfect opportunity to clinch a game dominated by pitching.

"It's one of those things that you're never going to forget," said Richmond coach Howard Stuart, whose team won its third straight regional championship. "It was totally (Clark's decision to steal third). She's really fast. It caught me by surprise."

But the offensive breakthrough didn't surprise the Blue Devils, who figured it was just a matter of time.

"It was 0-0 for awhile, but I knew we would eventually score a run," Shuboy said. "So I wasn't worried at all."

"Our confidence going up to the plate was very high," junior Ashley Stafford said. "And our energy was through the roof."

Now Richmond must bring that same energy to Tuesday's state quarterfinal against Frankenmuth. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Marysville City Park.

"We're playing well," Stuart said. "(These players) really enjoy each other. They want be together. They have a good time and get along really well ... we're on a roll."

"I'm so excited," Clark said. "It's my last year. So I want to leave it all on the field."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.