STORRS—For Sydney Miller, the week began with tears of exhaustion and relief, flooding from her eyes, heart and soul after she threw more than 230 pitches in a 15-inning semifinal win that advanced the Brookfield Bobcats to Saturday’s Class L championship game.
On Saturday, at UConn’s Burrill Family Field, Miller was once again left in tears, only this time they were tears of unadulterated joy as the senior right-handed pitcher struck out 12 without a walk, leading the top-seeded Bobcats to a 3-1 win over No. 2 New Milford to claim their first CIAC state title since 2000.
“This is such a special senior year,” Miller said. “We got so close last year and we fell a little bit short, but we’re such a team and energy-wise we just pulled through this year.”
Facing arch-rival and fellow SWC opponent New Milford in the finale, everybody expected a close game and the game didn’t not disappoint in that regard.
It was New Milford which eked out a 6-5 win during the regular season, but this contest was decided a gutsy No. 9 hitter in the Brookfield line-up, and two miscues that would later lead three unearned runs by the Green Wave that gave the Bobcats what it needed to win.
Especially against Miller’s potent right arm.
It was Brookfield’s Mary Aurrachio leading off the second inning with a single to right field. An infield error then allowed Emma Ferguson to reach safely, giving the Bobcats runners on first and second with nobody out.
New Milford sophomore starting pitcher Lydia Rocky then struck out two straight Bobcats and appeared to be on the cusp of getting out of the inning unscathed when No. 9 hitter Emily Casey stepped to the plate.
Casey, a freshman second baseman, delivered an RBI single to right field, scoring Aurrachio and giving Brookfield a 1-0 lead.
“It’s such a privilege being here,” Casey said. “Playing good defense, Sydney did great, my middle infielders, my shortstop, Liv. I’m just happy to move the line-up over to our bigger hitters. I’m just lucky to be here.”
Brookfield coach Alyssa Lionetti had nothing but rave reviews about the only freshman in her lineup.
“Being the only starting freshman, I feel like there was a lot of pressure on her this year and I think she just worked really hard to meet the girls where they were at,” the second year head coach said, “and she’s done a fantastic job.”
The shortstop Casey spoke of, sophomore Olivia Sinapi, then got the break of the game when a second infield error in the inning plated two more runs, giving Brookfield a 3-0 lead.
Again Miller, though, it might have been a touchdown lead instead of a field goal.
Once Brookfield had the lead, Miller retired 11 straight New Milford batters, pushing the game into the top of the sixth with the shutout.
“She was phenomenal,” Brookfield catcher Samantha Aurrichio said. “She did so great. I’m so proud of her. (Last Monday’s 15-inning win) was definitely an exhausting game, I will say. We had her not pitch for like two or three days, but I was saying to her the entire time, rest up, do what you have to do for today’s game and obviously it worked because we’re going home with the gold.”
The Green Wave didn’t give up.
They did get one run back in the top of the sixth when Cienna McNamara doubled and scored when Regan O’Laughlin doubled to make it a 3-1 game.
Carly Coloneri would single with two outs in the seventh, but Miller ended the game with a strikeout and Brookfield had its first title in 26 years.
Lila Conrad finished with two hits for Brookfield as did Mary Aurrichio. Sydney Miller also singled.
“I’m just so proud of this team to represent this town. It means everything to me,” said Lionetti, who pitched for Brookfield in 2018, the last time the Bobcats played for a state crown. “I know it means everything to these girls and it’s just a great feeling. They’ve worked so hard, they deserve it. I wanted this so bad for them. They really are just such a special group. I know everybody says that, but I really, really mean it. This group is just so special and they will definitely, definitely hold a special place to my heart. I’m just so proud of them.”
It was the last game in a Brookfield uniform for three seniors—the Miller twins, Haylie and Sydney, and Addie Coutts.
For New Milford, it was two seniors who saw their careers come to a close as O’Loughlin and Lia Manka suited up for the last time as Green Wave players.
Rocky pitched well for New Milford, surrendering no earned runs while striking out 11 and walking two. Lillian Fortier had the other hit for the Green Wave.
New Milford head coach Robert Farmer couldn’t have been more proud of his team, though.
“It was a great effort. Great effort all year,” he said. “A lot of trials and tribulations. They’ve always looked up and they’ve always been able to rise up. They’ve came through. They tasted the riches of the hunt of trying to get a Class L championship and they know what it takes. You got to play clean defense. You got to step up when the moments presents itself and not make it bigger than what it is. Keep it simple, play the game. At the same time, remember what got you here.”
Brookfield finished the season 26-1.
New Milford finished 26-2.
CLASS L STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO ALBUM
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