56 straight wins. 5 straight titles. No stopping juggernaut Taunton softball in Division 1.
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Larson and Aldrich have not lost a postseason game as varsity players, present in all five title wins since joining the team in eighth grade.
'It's been amazing,' said Aldrich, who will play at Providence. 'It's probably been the best five years of my softball life. These are all my family now, no matter what year.'
The Mountaineers (22-3) delivered the first blow, plated two runs in the top of the first. The Tigers (25-0) eventually wore them down, consistently putting the ball in play.
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Larson ripped a middle-inside pitch over the left field fence to tie the game in the second inning. She also crushed a double off the center field fence, essentially the knockout shot as the Tigers struck for five runs in the sixth.
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'I don't know what it is about the sixth inning – you just want me to have a heart attack,' joked Taunton coach Michelle Raposo, after the Tigers came back with two runs in the sixth inning in their semifinal victory. 'It hasn't been just one part of the lineup that's working, it's the entire lineup.'
Larson started the state final as a freshman, but the presence of 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year Sam Lincoln shifted her out of the circle. For her senior season before she plays at Georgetown, Larson was the ace again.
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'All of my spins,' said Larson, on what changes she made since pitching on the same stage four years ago. 'I've also added a bunch of pitches that I was moving tonight. What worked for me four years ago is not my best pitch now.'
For another year, the Tigers have reached the top of the mountain.
'I'm so proud of Taunton High and the dynasty that we've created,' said Larson. 'It's amazing for the girls who graduated before me and also the girls that will come next year.'
Taunton captains Brooke Aldrich (left) and Cate Larson raised the Division 1 trophy after their 10-4 win over Wachusett at Worcester State.
Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe
Taunton's Madison Crowley sprints to first after knocking in a run.
Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe
In her final high school game, Taunton senior Cate Larson scattered seven hits and struck out eight Wachusett hitters.
Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe
Taunton players held up five fingers for their five consecutive state championships after beating Wachusett in the Division 1 championship at Worcester State.
Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe
Cam Kerry can be reached at
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