WRENTHAM, MASS. — Top-seeded King Philip wasted little time seizing control and went on to defeat Milford, 9-0, in the Round of 16 in the MIAA Division 2 Softball Tournament.
The Warriors erupted for five runs in the opening inning and never looked back, adding two runs in both the fourth and sixth innings to secure the victory.
Milford struggled to generate offense against King Philip ace McCoy Walsh, who delivered a dominant complete-game performance in the circle. Walsh struck out 15 batters and allowed just two hits over seven innings.
Despite the loss, Liana Chiccarelli provided a bright spot for the Scarlet Hawks. The Milford standout accounted for both of the team’s hits, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate while consistently putting the ball in play against one of the area’s top pitchers.
King Philip’s early offensive outburst put pressure on Milford from the start. The Warriors capitalized on scoring opportunities in the first inning before extending their lead with two-run frames in the fourth and sixth.
Milford’s defense battled throughout the contest, but the combination of King Philip’s timely hitting and Walsh’s dominance in the circle proved difficult to overcome.
The loss brings Milford’s season to a close, but the Scarlet Hawks’ postseason appearance highlighted another competitive campaign in the always-challenging Hockomock League. Chiccarelli’s two-hit effort served as a testament to the team’s determination, battling until the final out against the number one seed in the state.
