The players, who were unable to compete last year when state officials canceled all spring sports because of covid-19, split their first two games, then rolled to 13 consecutive triumphs. They competed admirably in all 16 games without head coach Diane Whittaker and, although the girls were eliminated from tourney play early, they battled gallantly in a 5-4 extra-inning loss to Mansfield in the Division 1 South Sectional playoffs.

Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Natick got a pair of RBI doubles from Julianna Kiley and Kerina Killelea to tie the game. In the eighth inning, however, the Hornets’ catcher (Jill Koppy) tripled, then scored on a pop-up base hit by pitcher Ashlyn Conley for the winning run. 

“We were all very proud of the girls,’’ said acting head coach Tom Lamb, who directed the squad in Whittaker’s absence. “They battled hard all season long, they were consistent and cohesive and they won close games (four one-run wins). Coach Whittaker, who suffered a concussion in an accident, deserves lots of credit for the job she did with team-building. Last year, when the season was canceled, she directed google-meet activities for what was the Corona Olympics.’’

Lamb had high praise for the way the Redhawks rallied against Mansfield. 

“Give Mansfield credit, they didn’t make any mistakes,’’ he emphasized. “But our kids bounced back, tied the score and just fell short. Both starting pitchers were strong. Katherine Canty pitched very well for us, overcoming a fifth inning where we committed two errors and Mansfield scored four runs. 

“The girls achieved so much after splitting our first two games. They won a lot of games and they shared the BSC championship. They came a long way after not competing last year, then starting this season with wearing masks, sanitizing equipment and distancing. They were a special group, handling so many challenges.’’

Lamb isn’t a stranger to softball. He coached Natick’s varsity team in 1989 and for the last three years he’s been both a volunteer and an assistant coach.

“This year’s team had lots of strengths,’’ he emphasized. “We had excellent senior leadership, two outstanding pitchers, quality hitting and solid defense. The girls had high softball IQs, they were coachable but most importantly they were competitive. They didn’t like losing.’’

The squad’s 11 players included four seniors, six juniors and one freshman. The captains were seniors Canty and outfielder Maddie McCarthy.

“Katherine had a 10-1 record in the regular season,’’ Lamb said. “Her earned-run average was 1.51 and she struck out 111. She was simply overpowering and had great control. Her assortment featured a good change-up, a riser, a fastball and a curve. And, she rarely walked a batter. 

“Maddie is very athletic, has speed and is versatile. Her work ethic is strong and that matched her strong arm and her strength on defense. She played both in left field and in right.’’

Natick’s other two seniors were pitcher Martha Jennings and second baseman Ava Leombruno.

“Martha did a great job as a back-up starting pitcher,’’ Lamb said. “She was like a Swiss Army knife, able to play in the infield or outfield. She had a good assortment of pitches and she was a good contact hitter. Technically sound, Martha is smart and a great student of the game.

“Ava was solid at second base. She’s very competitive and a determined fielder. A very sound hitter with experience, she always had a good feel for the strike zone.’’

Catcher/shortstop Jess Brill and Kiley (first baseman/pitcher) had dynamic seasons as juniors. During the regular season, Brill hit .588, had 11 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and 3 doubles. Kiley hit .568, smashed 2 home runs, knocked in 20 runs, stole 5 basand had 10 doubles.

“Jess is an elite player,’’ Lamb said. “She was one of the finest catchers in the league. She could hit and hit for power. A catcher with a strong arm, no one attempted to steal bases. Jess called a good game and was like a coach on the field.

“Julianna also is an elite player, both on offense and defense. Her arm strength was  excellent and so was her range in the field. She didn’t commit an error at first base, and she was one of the top power hitters in the BSC.’’

Two other juniors —Killelea (shortstop) and outfielder Mia Hansen — were quality contributors.

“Kerina’s arm is quick,’’ Lamb said. “An excellent hitter who could hit for power, she batted cleanup. She was a major plus and did a great job. A smart player, she knows the game and was superb taking throws from Jess Brill and making the tag. Mia kept improving by demonstrating a good eye at the plate. She hit a couple of home runs and her arm is very strong. Her range in the outfield was excellent and she was a top-notch teammate.’’

Rounding out the Redhawks’ remaining juniors were centerfielder Sam Bean and infielder/outfielder Sam Gondelman.

“Nothing got by Bean in the outfield,’’ Lamb said. “She covered a lot of ground and she had plenty of speed. A smart, take-charge outfielder, Sam positioned herself well for every batter. A line-drive hitter, she also displayed good speed on the bases. Gondelman was very versatile, able to play a variety of positions. A team-oriented player, she hit the ball hard and demonstrated plenty of speed and quickness. A smart player, she was used often as a pinch runner.’’

Freshman Olivia Schultz played third base and also was a reserve catcher. Lamb labeled her “an outstanding player from day one.’’

“Olivia has a strong arm, she’s athletic and intense,’’ he noted. “A line-drive hitter, she had a good feel in the batter’s box. Competitive and well-respected, Olivia was humble and very determined. At third base, she did a good job against teams that played small ball.’’

Lamb credits Natick’s success, especially during its 13-game winning streak, to outstanding pitching and a blend of solid, timely hitting.

“Canty and Jennings gave us excellent pitching and we got good hitting during that stretch,’’ he emphasized. “We treated the season like a sprint instead of a marathon. We knew we had to go no worse than 1-1 in our first two games. We beat Walpole and lost a close game to Newton-North. We had 13 straight wins because of hard work, consistency and determination.’’

Natick’s success this year, Lamb says, is linked to the program’s two varsity assistant coaches and a pair of sub-varsity coaches. The varsity assistants are former NHS players — Lucia Cabacini and Brenna Keefe. The sub-varsity coaches are Nancy Molina and Jeff Wright.

The 73-year-old Lamb, who calls softball “exciting and challenging,’’ is no stranger to success, having won his share of Super Bowls. When asked to compare the softball title to his Super Bowl success, he said: “every championship is special, unique and different.’’

Lamb says he hopes to return to coach with Whittaker next season. 

“The future does appear to be bright,’’ he said. “There’s a good nucleus of players returning and our two jayvee teams had good players and winning records. But, we’ll need to develop a couple of pitchers.’’

Natick softball, however, appears to be back. And, it seems like it’ll be a perennial contender in the BSC. The Redhawks’ recent championship snapped a 27-year drought and that’s what made the 2021 season so significant.