The Apponaug 14-U travel softball team recently won the Rhode Island State Championship, beating the RI Thunder Gold team 11-10 in an extra inning thriller at RIC. With the win, Apponaug also completed the perfect season en route to its first-ever state title.

Apponaug trailed 10-6 after the Thunder put up four runs in the top of the eighth. The team roared back to complete the comeback, with Natalie Fratus driving in the game-winner. Fratus led the way at the plate with three RBI on three hits, while Caroline Smith, Aria Eddy and Skylar Villegas all drove in multiple runs as well. 

Maura Taylor and Kaleigh Zonfrillo also recorded RBI, while Abigail Bryson finished with three hits and Rachel Dias two.

Eddy pitched five innings and allowed no earned runs while recording three strikeouts in the circle. Megan Gardiner pitched three innings as well and picked up a strikeout. Standout defensive performances came from Carsyn Marso, Sophia Muschiano and Madison French.

“It’s always about keeping their mental games strong at the end. Sometimes they get down on themselves but that day was a huge turning point for them. They believed in themselves and each other which helped them get the win,” said Apponaug coach Alicia Eddy, who emphasized the importance of familiarity within the roster as many of the players have shared the same field for several seasons. “They’re so comfortable together in the field. Communication is second nature to them. They’ve been playing together in those positions for years so they’ve been able to rely on each other.”

Apponaug felt that it was being overlooked across the local landscape and was proud to see the players represent the league and Warwick community so well throughout the grueling summer tournament. 

“We were definitely the underdogs in the tournament and this team did a great job representing the city,” Alicia Eddy said. “They are hungry for the game, they are aggressive at the plate, they want to make the next play. They want to win. Their persistence helped carry them to the win.”