The knock paid dividends, as Rossi finished what she started, striking out 16 Duxbury hitters Wednesday to cement her second perfect game of the season. The Boston College-bound southpaw, who recently eclipsed 900 career strikeouts, fueled Bedford to a 10-0 second-round triumph in the Division 2 tournament at Helen Gfroerer Field.
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Rossi also blasted two solo home runs, helping the third-seeded Buccaneers (19-1) move within three wins of their first state title since 1990. Rossi, who transferred back to Bedford from Austin Prep as a junior, is grateful for one final ride with her sister, Annie, and childhood friends.
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“We’re all feeding off each other, celebrating each other, and picking each other up,” Rossi said.
Alyx Rossi poses with the game ball after pitching a perfect game to defeat Duxbury and adding two home runs.Trevor Hass
It was a tough ending to a breakout season for the 19th-seeded Dragons (10-9), who will return the vast majority of their team next year after earning the program’s first tournament victory since 2013 this spring.
The Dragons made Rossi work, and flew around in the field, yet simply ran into a buzz saw earlier than they would have liked.
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“It’s difficult to put into words the work that they put in and the turnaround that they had at the speed and the pace that they had it,” said Duxbury coach Mike Barba. “It’s a great group of girls, off the field more importantly. I’m super proud of them. The sky’s the limit going forward.”
But on this day, the Dragons had no answers for Rossi, who smacked the first pitch she saw over the right-field fence, then Becca Sobol extended the Buccaneers’ margin to 3-0 through two innings.
Kate Patterson provided a two-run double, Alice Cooprider and Mia Vitti ripped RBI singles, and Rossi added another homer for good measure.
“Yesterday, we ended practice a little early,” said Bedford coach Dennis Walsh. “I said anyone who wants to stay, we’ll do a little extra. She stayed for extra batting practice, and it paid off. I asked her if I could get a little bit of credit.”
Rossi made it clear success belongs to the entire program, but it’s clear the Buccaneers will continue to lean on her overpowering repertoire as they try to make history.
Next up is a date with No. 6 Tewksbury on Sunday, in a rematch of last year’s quarterfinal, won 2-0 by Bedford. The Buccaneers made the quarterfinals two years ago, the semifinals last year, and are determined to go the distance this spring.
“We set a goal at the start of the year,” Walsh said. “Finals or bust.”
Division 1 State
King Philip 12, Newton North 0 — It was a banner night for Liv Petrillo, who not only slugged a pair of home runs, but recorded her 100th career hit and 100th career run in a second round win for the third-seeded Warriors (20-3) against No. 14 Newton North (14-8). Liv Wainwright went 3 for 3 with two doubles, a run, and an RBI.
Lincoln-Sudbury 2, Franklin 0 — Kelsey Blanchette made her presence felt with an RBI triple and a run scored, as well as fanning 14 in a three-hitter for the sixth-seeded Warriors (17-5) in a second-round win over No. 11 Franklin (10-12). Sophie Jorjorian drove in a run and Nicole Lent scored a run, in addition to throwing out a runner at second base.
Taunton 7, Weymouth 1 — Senior Cate Larson fired five perfect innings before yielding a hit, and fanned 18 in a second-round win for top-ranked Taunton (22-0) vs. No. 17 Weymouth (12-10). Mia Torres posted four hits, Bella Bourque crushed a homer and drove in two, and Ash Herbert added an RBI single. Weymouth junior ace Jillian Ondrick recorded her 750th career strikeout.
Division 2 State
Hopkinton 7, Marblehead 1 — Charlotte Holden doubled twice, plating a pair of runs in a second-round victory for the second-seeded Hillers (19-3) against No. 15 Marblehead (17-5). Zoe Le Vine finished 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI, and Ashley Callery knocked in two runs.
Middleborough 8, Plymouth South 2 — Taylynn Robinson’s solo home run highlighted a three-hit effort as the No. 9 Sachems (17-5) downed No. 8 Plymouth South (13-7) in second-round action. Robinson and Brooke Blanchette led the team with two RBIs apiece. Taryn Clancy went 4 for 4 with three doubles at the plate and struck out 10 in a complete game win, allowing eight hits and two runs.
Tewksbury 6, Reading 5 — With two outs and the tying runner on third base, Redmen pitcher Gabe Davis jammed the Rockets hitter into a pop-fly to center field as sixth-seeded Tewksbury (19-3) held on for a dramatic second-round win against No. 11 Reading (19-3). “Keep cool, hit spots,” said Tewksbury coach Kirsten Dick, on the mentality against the final batter. “If you miss your spots, we have a problem.” She praised Davis for staying cool, calm, and collected in a hectic final frame. “Other pitchers could let that internalize and she doesn’t let that get to her,” said Dick. Sydney Whalen drove in three runs (a two-run single and a sac fly), leading a balanced offensive attack in which four players recorded an RBI. For Dick, a first-year coach, the ride continues. “It’s been surreal,” she said. ”I didn’t know what to expect coming in. I know that Tewksbury is a great program and has been for years.”
Walpole 17, Stoughton 0 — Sharlotte Stazinski surrendered just one hit, fanning 10 in five innings as the fourth-seeded Timberwolves (16-4) cruised to a second-round win against No. 13 Stoughton (14-8). Freshman Adriana Torres, sophomore Abby Riley, junior Grace Todd (3-3, 2 runs, 4 RBIs, double), and senior Norah Broderick each blasted a home run.
Westwood 4, Malden Catholic 3 — Izzy Walsh supplied the heroics, delivering an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to secure a walk-off win in second round action for the seventh-seeded Wolverines (15-4) against No. 10 Malden Catholic (16-6). Bridget Mulkeen drove in three with a pair of hits, including a two-run homer, and struck out eight in the circle.
Division 4 State
Abington 9, Wahconah 4 — Maddie McDonald and Malia McDonald sparked the offense, combining for four hits, five RBIs, and three runs as the No. 7 Green Wave (17-5) cruised to a second-round win against No. 10 Wahconah (11-11). Elsie Testa earned the win in the circle and plated a pair of runs offensively. Brenna Howley and Riley Agnew went 1 for 3 with three runs scored apiece.
Joseph Case 14, Gardner 0 — Lila Alvarez allowed one hit and racked up eight strikeouts in five innings, supplying three hits of her own in a second-round triumph for the fourth-seeded Cardinals (16-6) against No. 13 Gardner (14-6). Bre Fontes and Ella Preston each added a pair of hits.
Tyngsborough 5, Millbury 1 — Senior Hogan was tremendous, striking out 13 and allowing one run on four hits and two walks in a second-round triumph for the sixth-seeded Tigers (18-4) over No. 11 Millbury (12-10).
Globe correspondent Cam Kerry contributed to this report.
Trevor Hass can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @TrevorHass.