New York City Havoc Capture 2009 Women's Major Softball National Championship

August 11, 2009 - Liz Strein drove in Nicole Adisano with a single to left to score the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning, giving the NYC Havoc a 2-1 win over the Stratford Breakers on Sunday, in the title game of the 2009 WMS Championship at DeLuca Field in Stratford, CT.

The game was played without the international tie-breaker rule, and the Havoc and Breakers treated the fans to an increasingly suspenseful toe-to-toe battle, as the contest extended into extra frames. The walk-off win left the Breakers to watch as the Havoc celebrated on the infield.

The Breakers advanced to the title game with impressive back-to-back victories over the Stratford Brakettes and St. Louis Saints Sunday morning, as Sara Plourde pitched 14 innings to take a pair of one-run decisions.

The Havoc were sitting pretty as they entered the final, having defeated the Topton VIP's 5-4 in the winner’s bracket final Saturday afternoon, scoring four runs in the seventh inning for a dramatic come-from-behind win. By steering through the winner's bracket undefeated, NYC needed to win just one game to capture the hardware, while the Breakers would have needed to beat the Havoc twice.

The Breakers got on the board early with an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Priscilla Alicea reached on an error by second baseman Nicole Adisano, and moved to second on a miscue by starting pitcher Alyson Chiaramonte.

The back-to-back errors gave the Breakers two runners on with no outs. Chiaramonte fanned the next batter, and retired Plourde for the second out. Both runners moved up a base, putting Breakers at second and third with two outs. Chiaramonte then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Alicea to come home for a 1-0 lead.

The Havoc answered the call in the second, as Chiaramonte led off with a double. She advanced to third on a single by Nicole Estrada, and came home on a base hit by Adisano. The 1-1 tie would hold into extra innings, and the anticipation grew with every out.

The Havoc threatened in the fourth, when Kim Procida singled with one out. Procida was forced out at second on a grounder up the middle by Nicole Estrada, who reached on the fielder's choice. Mary Cait Cuneen also contributed a base hit, putting runners at first and second with two outs. Breaker starter Kelsey Tuthill induced a grounder to second by Adisano to get out of the jam.

Sara Plourde came on in relief in the fifth inning, and went the rest of the way. By day’s end, she had pitched 19 and 1/3 innings over three games.

The Breakers had two chances with runners in scoring position, but could not deliver the big hit.

Alicea reached on a bunt single with two outs in the fifth. She stole second base, but was stranded there when Katie Dinahanian grounded out to third.

Plourde led off the ninth frame with a single, and was sacrificed over by Kelsey Tuthill. The Breakers again struggled to find a hit when most needed, as Chiaramonte retired the next two batters in order.

Adisano reached on an error while leading off the tenth inning. She made it to second on a sac bunt by Shannon Skeggs. Adisano took off for third on a delayed steal, waiting for the ball to be thrown back to the mound after a pitch from Plourde. Adisano outraced everyone to third, and safely stood 60 feet away from the plate and the title.

Strein delivered the game-winning hit through the hole on the left side, and Adisano skipped home to capture the title for the Havoc. The New York City players flooded the field in celebration, and doused Havoc manager Dawn Gugliaro with the ceremonial jug of Gatorade.

Havoc shortstop Kim Procida was presented the Allyson Rioux Award, given to the Best Defensive Player in the tournament. Procida impressed with her glove throughout the championship, but especially showed off her defensive prowess in the second inning. Procida dove to her right to snare a line drive by Alyssa Pagano, offering up her body with a fully-outstretched grab of the would-be hit. Procida received a healthy applause from the crowd, and was awarded properly after the title game.

Chiaramonte was presented the Joan Joyce Award, given to the tournament’s Most Outstanding Pitcher. She finished 3-0 in double-elimination play. She was also named to the All-Tournament first team.

Havoc centerfielder Jess Dima (Utility) and catcher Amanda Byrnes were also named to the All-Tournament team.

Plourde was named MVP of the tournament, and was given the Micki Stratton Award for her excellence on the field. Alicea was also named to the All-Tournament team as an outfielder.

Congratulations again to the 2009 Women's Major Softball National Champions, the New York City Havoc! Congratulations also to the Stratford Breakers for their Runner-Up finish.