Cranston Western duo powers team to New England Regionals
· Yahoo Sports
When talking about great pitcher-catcher duos, often brought up are each player’s statistics or how many games and championships the two won together, but what isn’t mentioned is the trust between them to be able to deliver such success.
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That trust was shown on Tuesday, July 14, when Cranston Western pitcher Aubrey Riker and catcher Mila Castillo played 10 innings together across two games to win the Rhode Island Little League Softball championship and advance to the New England Regionals in Bristol, Connecticut.
In the first game against Cumberland, played in Lincoln, Riker and Castillo needed just four innings in a 10-0 shutout win that ended due to the mercy rule. Riker pitched all four innings, allowing just three hits while striking out eight. A performance that wouldn’t have been possible without the trust she had in Castillo to sequence pitches perfectly.
“I’ve been catching for [Riker] for, I can’t even count how many years,” Castillo said. “I just can feel when she’s sad, [and I] go up to the mound and know exactly what to say to her. That’s what makes us such a dynamic duo.”
The pair also shined on the offensive side. Castillo had two-RBI singles in both of her at-bats in the first game while also scoring a run herself. Castillo also stole two bases and would have had a third, but was thrown out at home. Riker went 1-3 at the plate with an RBI and two runs to go along with her pitching performance.
“It was a gusty effort,” Cranston West manager Bobby Arrighie said. “[Castillo] did everything she needed to do. We know when she gets on the bases she’s dangerous with her speed. She called a great game for [Riker]. I can’t say enough about all these kids.”
The second game, which decided who advanced to the East Regionals, was more of the same from Riker and Castillo on defense. Riker threw a complete game with Castillo behind the dish, striking out seven while allowing six hits and one run (unearned).
Castillo went 0-3 in the second game, and Riker once again went 1-3 at the plate with an RBI, but their teammates were able to put together the rest of the offensive performance for the 6-1 victory and state title.
“I’m just so excited that I’ve had the same teammates for a lot of years, so I’m just so excited we get to play with each other and do this one last time,” Castillo said.
It was Cranston Western's fourth-straight victory of the tournament after being knocked into the loser’s bracket by Cumberland in the first round. The regional tournament opens Saturday, and Cranston Western, which has a first-round bye, will play Sunday at 7 p.m. against either Vermont or New Hampshire.
The public is invited to a fundraiser to help offset the cost of travel, lodging and uniforms, set for Wednesday evening, from 6-8 p.m. at the Thirsty Beaver pub, 288 Atwood Ave., in Cranston.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Cranston Western duo powers team to New England Regionals