AMHERST — The most decorated softball program in Massachusetts history will have yet another banner and ring to collect.
Turners Falls won its 11th state title on Saturday as junior ace Madi Liimatainen put the shackles on fourth-seeded Georgetown to lead the second-seeded Thunder to a 5-0 win for the Div. 5 title at Sortino Field.
“We got a pretty good one,” joked Turners Falls coach Gary Mullins.
Liimatainen was simply dominant after a shaky first inning. She set down 18 in a row at one point while striking out 14 and allowing only one hit.
Her 14 strikeouts were the most in a state final since Taunton’s Kelsey White struck out 13 in the 2021 Division 1 final against Wachusett and tied for seventh most in ever in the finals.
“This is something that we all will remember for the rest of our lives,” Liimatainen said. “We knew what we needed to do.”
The Royals (15-7) had a chance to get out to an early lead when Ava Fair walked and Maddie Grant singled off her counterpart. A walk to MacKenzie Riley loaded the bases but a pop out to short got Liimatainen off the hook.
Her teammates gave Liimatainen all the offense she needed in the home half of the first. Ironically, it was Liimatainen who got the rally started with a walk. Catcher Holly Myers followed with a single and both runners moved up on an error in the outfield.
Second baseman Addison Talbot made it 1-0 with a sharp single to right, scoring pinch runner Ivy Lopez.
One inning later, the Thunder (20-5) padded their lead and then some.
Madisyn Dietz reached on a one out error before a single by Marilyn Abarua and a walk to Autumn Thornton loaded the bases. Grant got a pop up for the second out but Liimatainen ripped a single to center to plate two for a 3-0 lead.
Janelle Massey and Talbot followed with walks to force home two more and stake Liimatainen to a 5-0 lead.
That was more than enough as the Thunder junior put the shackles on the Royals the rest of the way.
Georgetown only got two balls out of the infield over the final six innings as Liimatainen fanned at least two in each frame but the seventh.
“This game is probably at the top of the list,” Liimatainen said.