Dedham Falls to Bishop Stang in D2 South Finals

All it took were a couple of big hits in the bottom of the fourth inning to end the Cinderella run by the Dedham Mardureers. With a slim 2-1 lead midway though the game, a four run rally by the Bishop Stang Spartans was enough to beat Dedham 5-3 and win the MIAA Division 2 South title.

Dedham finishes the season with a record of 15-10.

The Mardureers had a chance to score in the opening inning with two on and one out. Samantha Girard tried to bunt in Bri Dozier but the Dedham shortstop was called out at the plate while Girard was caught in a rundown between first and second base on the same play.

With Bishop Stang taking a 1-0 lead on a Mikaela Ryan hit in the bottom of the first, Dedham runs from Mary St. Cyr and Elizabeth Balzarini in the top of the second ended a short lived lead for the Spartans.

Things began to fall apart in the bottom of the fourth inning for Dedham when a Katie Wood two-run double to centerfield turned the run one lead into a one run deficit.

A batter later, another double to centerfield by Nicole Andrade brought Wood home and extended the lead to three.

“You got to be spot on in all seven innings and we slipped in a couple spots, didn’t play quiet as perfectly as we have been,” said Dedham coach Erika Eisenhut

A final run was scored by Andrade on a Lindsey Florent single .

The Mardureers got one run back in the top of the sixth off a Gina Reid triple but five straight outs ended the game and sent the Spartans to the state semi-finals.

Despite the loss, there was no doubt of the success Dedham achieved as 18th seed. Before falling to #13 Bishop Stang, the Mardureers pulled off upsets against #15 Medfield, #2 Norton, #10 Apponequet, and #6 Duxbury en route to a sectional final appearance.

With the vast majority of the team returning next year, there is optimism that Dedham can come back next year and go on an even better run.

“I’m really proud of how the girls played and it is exciting we have the team back next year,” said Eisenhut. “Hopefully we’ll remember what this felt like and come back next year and be able to come out with a different result.”

Bishop Stang will play either Tewksbury or Burlington in the Division 2 semi-finals on June 12.