By Rick Menning
With the pool-play phase of the Junior League Softball World Series now in the rear-view mirror, the all-important diamond doings are on deck with quarterfinal competition on Thursday.
By virtue of their 18-0 victory over Curacao Wednesday afternoon at Everest Park, the Milford All-Stars (2-2) finished as the third seed in Pool B and will face Jenison, Michigan (3-1), which holds down second place in Pool A.
First pitch in the elimination contest is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Madyson Bull ripped a triple, double and single for a four-RBI game in the decisive showing against the Latin America champions. She has amassed 10 hits in 13 at-bats during the tournament thus far.
Cassie Rodriguez propelled a two-run double all the way to the fence in left field, and Emily Roos added her second hit in as many at-bats, as the Connecticut state champions erupted for eight runs in the second inning.
Sophia Scarpa also doubled as 11 Milford batters came to the plate in the pivotal inning. Maya Fallon-Silva came through with a pair of RBI on a fielder's choice and a single, and Alyssa Joye reached base three times and had a sacrifice fly RBI to center field. She also walked in a run with the bases loaded.
Defensively, outfielder Sarah Donegan raced to her left to chase down a sinking liner for a great catch in the fourth inning. And in the circle, Bull struck out five of the first seven Curacao batters she faced in the game
The East Region champions also blanked the Czech Republic, 11-0, in their first game of the World Series on Sunday. Michigan's only loss was a thrilling 6-5 outcome vs. the undefeated Southeast Region champions from South Carolina.
Other Thursday games feature Las Vegas, Navada (West Region) vs. Washington (Host Region); South Carolina (Southeast Region) vs. the Czech Republic (Europe-Africa Region), and Texas (Southwest Region) vs. the Philippines (Asia-Pacific Region).
Here is a rundown of all of Milford's results thus far in the World Series:
Game 3: Texas 15, Milford 12: Despite two incredible home runs by Madyson Bull -- one a monster blast that easily cleared the second "green monster-type" fence in right field -- the East Region champions were outslugged in a nearly three-hour contest.
This game had offensive fireworks galore, but it was Bull's blasts -- accounting for two of the four home runs hit in the entire World Series to that point -- that topped an abundance of highlight-reel rips.
Connecticut's biggest run production came in the fourth inning, when 11 batters marched to the plate during the five-run frame. The onslaught was highlighted by -- believe it or not -- an infield RBI double by Olivia Gregory. whose high pop fly fell between three Texas infielders as she raced to second base.
Abby Corris entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the third inning and proceeded to deliver three straight singles as part of her four plate appearances. She also joined Bull as each pitched three innings.
Emily Roos reached base four times with two singles and two walks, while Alyssa Joye contributed three consecutive hits in her five at-bats. Pinch-hitter Sophia Scarpa also had a great day at the plate with a double and single, and Hana Beauregard reached base three times via walks.
In all, the Milford girls unleashed a 16-hit attack but in just wasn't enough as the Columbus squad scored in every inning but the second.
Defensively, Maya Fallon-Silva made a diving catch to end the Southwest champions' seven-run third inning.
Game 2: Las Vegas, Nevada 9, Milford 0: Facing a team that dominated its West Region and outscored its opponents 97-1, the Milford, Connecticut squad had a very tough outing and was held to only one hit.
The East Region champions kept the contest relatively close and trailed 1-0 after two innings and 3-0 after four innings. However, Las Vegas struck for six runs over the final three frames to seal the win.
Madyson Bull came through with a single in the sixth inning for Milford, which fell victim to an outstanding 12-strikeout performance by Las Vegas pitcher Ava Koenig.
Abby Corris, Erika Fabian and Hana Beauregard reached base via walks, but that was pretty much the extent of Milford's offense other than for Bull's hit.
The Nevada girls remain undefeated, while Milford suffered its first setback in All-Star tournament competition.
Game 1: Milford 11, Czech Republic 0: Mount St. Helens didn't erupt in nearby Skamania County, but the Milford, Connecticut bats certainly did during a 10-run third inning at Everest Park in Kirkland, Washington.
The East Region and Connecticut state champions -- sparked by a two-out, nobody on base triple by Madyson Bull during that pivotal inning -- smashed through a scoreless deadlock as Bull's blast to the fence started a nine-hit parade with 13 more batters (16 in all that inning) stepping up to the plate.
Meanwhile, Milford All-Star pitcher Abby Corris struck out seven and walked only one to achieve a complete-game two-hitter. She gave up both hits in the fifth and final inning, and at one stretch retired 13 of 14 Czech Republic batters.
Corris also helped her own cause with a two-run single scoring both Bull and Emily Roos, who had singled after Bull's triple.
That huge third inning was also highlighted by extremely clutch pinch-hit RBI singles off the bats of Alyssa Joye, Olivia Gregory and Charlotte Doyle. Joye later followed her pinch hit with another single to lead off the fourth inning.
Bull added an RBI single to go along with her three-bagger in that inning alone and finished with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate when factoring in her leadoff single to center to start the game.
Sophia Scarpa also got in on the fun with a tricky bouncer that eluded the Czech Republic second baseman and rolled into the outfield for a two-run hit. Sarah Donegan also connected for a huge run-scoring single.
In all Milford ripped six consecutive singles during the third-inning outburst.
Manager Margaret Bull's squad also showcased its defensive talents during the nationally televised game on ESPN+.
In the top of the second inning, third baseman Maya Fallon-Silva raced in to make a great grab for an unassisted putout on a low-liner bunt attempt. She hauled in the ball inches from the dirt.
First baseman Cassie Rodriguez and shortstop Madyson Bull also flashed the leather with great line-drive catches. Rodriguez and Bull easily snared the blistering shots that came their way for big-time outs.
Great fourth-inning glovework was provided by Olivia Gregory, who made a super running catch in left field.
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