St. Thomas Aquinas softball one of three remaining undefeated teams in Division III

DOVER - It's more than just numbers in the win-loss column that show whether a team is having a successful season.

For the St. Thomas Aquinas High School softball team , you can add the words "cohesive" and "support" to the numbers, which are perfect, by the way.

Yes, the Saints are undefeated and will take a Division III-best 13-0 record into Friday's home game against fellow undefeated Prospect Mountain (12-0). However, this team is about more than just wins and losses. It's about playing together, playing for each other, supporting each other, and doing their best to bring home a state championship.

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"Our team chemistry is great on and off the field," said head coach McKenzie McGrath, in her fourth season at the helm of the Saints. "It’s those relationships and tight bonds that really elevate our game. All of the girls have complete faith in each other and trust each other no matter what. If someone has an off-day hitting or in the field, they always have each other's backs and pick each other up. That’s what I love about our team; the ability for any one player to step up, rise to the occasion, and have a big game for us."

St. Thomas Aquinas junior pitcher and third baseman Abbie Gaynor said the players are always supportive and there for each other.

"(When I am pitching) I know I always have support from my teammates behind me," Gaynor said. "When something fun and exciting happens in the game, we're all supporting each other; we're all happy for each other. We just have so much excitement and we're able to share that together and really support each other."

Going into Wednesday's game against Winnisquam, a 14-2 win, Gaynor is 12-0 on the season with 98 strikeouts in 58 innings. She has an ERA of 0.85 and a .131 batting average against. She also is hitting .487 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs. In a three-game stretch, in wins over Hopkinton (12-0), Hopkinton again (15-5) and Somersworth (19-5), Gaynor blasted five homers.

Saints 'hungry' for ultimate prize

After losing to Gilford in last year's Division III semifinals , the Saints have outscored the opposition, 143-28 this season.

"It's super exciting, I think this team is looking really good this year," Gaynor said. "We've been working really hard and it's really been showing in the games. Everyone has been putting in 110% effort."

McGrath said after falling short of a state title last year, the Saints are on a mission this year.

"We're still hungry to get to that championship," McGrath said. "We came back this year probably with the strongest lineup top to bottom that I've had in my four years coaching here. I think this depth is kind of the piece we've been missing the last year or so. I think what's going to take us to the next level this year is our hitting."

Saints taking it one step at a time

McGrath said the Saints have 13 versatile players who have a strong work ethic, and they all are working toward that goal of playing for a state championship. Each year, the program has advanced one more round. McGrath hopes that trend continues this year.

In 2021, the Saints lost in the first round to Campbell; in 2022, they lost in the quarterfinal round to Prospect Mountain, and then lost in last year's semifinal round.

"The girls have that drive to want to get to that next stage," McGrath said. "The last few seasons, we've gone one stage further ... now we have our next stop in mind for the championship. The kids are just really dedicated. They show their passion for softball on and off the field. Our team chemistry is really what I think sets us apart from other teams."

Saints prove something to opposition, and themselves

McGrath and Gaynor, who was a Division III all-state first-team selection last year, got some revenge in the second game this season.

Gaynor struck out 14 and allowed two hits over seven innings, beating Gilford, 2-1. Amelia Anderson had three hits, an RBI and scored a run for the Saints, while Brielle Kelly had a hit and an RBI, and Gaynor had a hit and scored a run.

"We definitely had a fire under us to push and work hard," Gaynor said. "We wanted to show (Gilford) that we could have had them last year, and that we still have it and we have what it takes to get far."

Gaynor also said the Saints needed to prove something to themselves.

"After that game, we were comfortable and it boosted our confidence," Gaynor said. "We started to believe in ourselves more."

"I know it was our only second game of the season, but coming in, we knew that was going to be a big game for us early on in the season," McGrath said. "Coming back from that tough loss in the semis, we were eager to show them what we were made of and kind of show them the new and improved St. Thomas softball."

Showdown with nemesis Prospect Mountain looming

There are two other undefeated teams in Division III - Prospect Mountain (10-0) and Newport (11-0). The Saints will host two-time state champion Prospect Mountain on Friday. The Saints don't play Newport in the regular season.

When the schedule comes out, McGrath quickly finds the Prospect Mountain game.

"I'm sure Prospect's the same way," McGrath said. "It's a big matchup, both powerhouse pitchers. It's always a good pitcher's duel and we have good bats on each side. I think it provides for good entertainment for all of the fans, but it's always a good little rivalry that we're looking forward to. We're up for the test. We know they've been pretty good, to say the least, the last couple of years, but we're ready to go."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: St. Thomas Aquinas softball one of three remaining undefeated teams in Division III