The Pilgrim softball team is grinding through the Division I playoffs and reached this week’s losers’ bracket final against Bay View.

The Pats wrapped up a 1-0 win over the Bengals last week to send them to the losers’ bracket and remain in the winners’ group. Pilgrim ace Alyssa Twomey was stellar in the circle, pitching a complete-game shutout and allowing no runs on just four hits. She finished the gem with 13 strikeouts.

Gillian Brown knocked in the game’s lone run in the fifth inning which would be enough for the Pats to hold on to the win.

Things would get rocky for Pilgrim the following game when La Salle took a 4-2 decision on Monday night to send the Pats to the losers’ bracket.

The Rams would score a pair of runs in the third inning to take the lead, but Pilgrim responded in the sixth with two runs of its own to tie things up heading to the seventh inning.

Madison Wrench would notch a two-run single to send home Dasani Stewart and Jenna Altieri.

The momentum was short-lived as La Salle turned around to add two more runs in the top of the seventh, and Pilgrim was unable to close the gap in the bottom half of the inning.

“They have the best offense in the state and it’s been that way all season. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy to get a W but now we have another crack at it,” said Pilgrim coach Carlos Rodas after the loss.

Twomey finished the day with seven strikeouts. La Salle freshman pitcher Hailey Vigneau has kept the Pats’ offense off-balance this season, no-hitting Pilgrim in their previous meeting and holding them to just four hits and two runs on Monday.

“She spins the ball and she’s tough. If you’re not technically sound she’s really tough on you,” Rodas said.

The Rams and Pats split the regular season series with Pilgrim winning on opening day. The offenses have yet to truly break out in three games, but should they meet again, Rodas believes that could change.

“Each team saw the pitches better than they did the last two times. If we see these guys again for a fourth and possibly fifth game, the way we have with Coventry the past two years, the offenses will have a huge advantage,” said Rodas.

Pilgrim was slated to take on Bay View on Wednesday with the winner advancing to the state final against the Rams and the loser going home. Jumping out to an early start will be key, according to Rodas.

“First team to 1. That’s how it’s been with us, the first team to 1 wins. It’s the two best pitchers in the state, so get your popcorn ready,” said Rodas.

Should Pilgrim top Bay View, it would have to beat La Salle twice as the Rams have yet to lose a game in the double-elimination playoff.