THETFORD — Thetford softball’s first goal of the day — getting senior hurler McKayla Stanley to her 300th career strikeout on senior day — couldn’t have taken less time. But the second goal — celebrating senior day with a big time win over visiting Spaulding — was well worth the wait once it arrived.
The Panthers never trailed but only led 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth before an 11-run eruption closed out a dominant 14-1 run-rule victory in five innings on a beautiful afternoon for a senior celebration.
“This team is just phenomenal,” Panthers coach Michelle Morgan said. “And they have amazing chemistry. They’ve been together since eighth grade, and it’s been really amazing to see.”
Thetford recognized six seniors, all of whom start, but drew special celebration for Stanley. The Thetford starter since eighth grade battled knee injuries all year but went the distance for the win, and facing her first batter of the day set a key milestone.
Sitting on 299 career strikeouts, three pitches were all that were needed to set down the Crimson Tide’s leadoff hitter swinging and produce a special celebration, with the entire team mobbing her in the circle and the game ball making its way in the dugout to be saved.
“As the pitcher, her mental toughness is something I commend,” Morgan said. “She’s had some challenges, and it’s great to see her here. She’s playing with a torn knee, and she’s pushing through it.”
Thetford led after just its second plate appearance via back-to-back doubles from Eiea Morgan and Ashlyn Osgood and held a 2-0 advantage after the first inning, but Spaulding bounced back to score its only run of the day with a two-out RBI single in the top of the second. The Crimson Tide threatened to do more with the tying run in scoring position in the top of the third inning, but Stanley forced a key pop-up to first with two outs to get the Thetford bats back to the plate.
A bases-loaded walk restored Thetford’s two-run advantage in the bottom of the third, but Spaulding posed its biggest threat of the afternoon soon after, loading the bases with just one out in the fourth inning.
“This team, from eighth-grade year to now, bases loaded, they just lock in. They lock in, they don’t get worried about it, and they get it done,” Morgan said.
And lock in the Panthers did, with Stanley forcing a pair of infield pop-outs to close the inning and set the table for a big bottom of the fourth.
With the momentum of a strong defensive stand, Thetford scored seven runs before recording an out and 11 in total. All but one Panther reached base and scored in the inning, leaving the game’s close a bit of a formality as two flyouts and a groundout in the top of the fifth allowed the senior day festivities to officially kick off.
Ashlyn Osgood led the line for Thetford, going 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and three RBIs.
Thetford will close what’s been a bizarre season with four games in the final four days of the schedule, after a slew of weather-related cancellations hurt teams across the state. Thetford, with its home field especially waterlogged, was forced to play several home games at nearby Rivendell Academy’s field, but the Panthers were hardly affected.
At 10-1 and with their only loss to undefeated Oxbow, the Panthers are in strong position for a high seed in the playoffs and another trip to Castleton, Vt., for the state final. The Panthers reached the 2023 state final before losing in the semifinals in 2024.
“The defense just needs to keep improving every day,” Morgan said of what needs to keep going for a successful playoff push. “They’re a better defensive team then they’ve ever been. Just keep the bats going, keep them happy and keep going.”
Thetford’s closing slate included a trip to Harwood on Wednesday.