Senior League Softball East Regional: Burkett 3, Webster-Charlton 0: Kayleigh Coffey keys victory

WORCESTER — Matched against a formidable Webster-Charlton squad, Jesse Burkett needed a stellar effort from pitcher Kayleigh Coffey in Saturday's Senior League Softball East Regional Tournament.

It's safe to say that the hard-throwing right-hander delivered.

Supported by solid defense, Coffey allowed just four hits and struck out five in leading tourney host Burkett to a 3-0 victory over the state champs before a large gathering at sun-soaked Vernon Hill.

"That's a very good Webster-Charlton team, so we're happy to get the win," Burkett manager Dan Coffey said. "Their pitcher was outstanding, we struggled offensively. A good win for our girls."

Burkett's infield defense was particularly impressive, reeling off inning-ending double plays in the second and fourth innings. In addition, Webster-Charlton did not have a runner reach third base all game.

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"Kayleigh pitched great — she had them off balance the entire time and had some key strikeouts," manager Coffey said. "Our defense was superb. The double play that Bridget (second baseman Murray) turned with Alexa (shortstop Diaz) to Grace (first baseman Gigliotti) in the fourth inning was just amazing, and we needed it at that time."

In between the inning-ending double plays, Kayleigh Coffey worked out of a two-on, one-out jam in the third with two straight strikeouts.

"It seemed like every time they were about to go on a run and maybe score, something good happened," manager Coffey said. "We got key strikeouts or made big plays on defense."

Webster-Charlton got a standout effort from pitcher Madison Johns. Johns, a right-hander, retired the first 10 hitters she faced and had a no-hitter after three innings. She allowed just five hits and struck out nine. Johns had two strikeouts in the first, second and fourth innings. She fanned at least one batter in every inning.

After failing to get a runner on base in its first three at-bats, Burkett produced a two-run outburst in the fourth inning.

With one out, Diaz and Natalie Barrera poked singles and advanced one base when Emily Gahagan reached on a fielder's choice. Diaz and Barrera scored on an infield error.

Burkett picked up an insurance run in the fifth inning. Murray singled with one out and stole second. After Jayda Cesar flied to center, leadoff batter Amelia Soltys stroked a single, knocking in Murray.

Webster-Charlton, which had base runners in every inning but the first, battled to the end. Ashley Millett rapped a two-out double in the seventh before Coffey bore down and retired the next batter to end the game.

"I thought it was a great pitching effort on both sides," Webster-Charlton manager Ed Johns said. "We'll come back strong next game. All the girls are having fun, and we're just real happy to be here. These guys do a great job with this tournament. And the softball is very good. We'll have to come ready to play next game."

Devan Wetherbee, Breanna Ward and Emilee Leber had singles for Webster-Charlton.

Pool play continues Sunday. Webster-Charlton plays Rhode Island at 9 a.m. at Vernon Hill, and Burkett plays Connecticut at 11:30 a.m., also at Vernon Hill. 

—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.