Softball: The Murphy sisters offensively and defensively help North Rockland advance

CENTRAL VALLEY - The last time North Rockland went to the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinals, UCLA won it's 11th NCAA title but it's first under Kelly Inouye-Perez.

As Red Raiders second baseman Keira Costin caught the final out of the ball game Saturday in the NYSPHSAA Class AA regional final, it meant solidifying something that hadn't been done since 2010.

North Rockland defeated Section 9 champion Monroe-Woodbury, 4-1, at Monroe-Woodbury High School ending the reigning Class AA champions season.

Something the Crusaders did to the Red Raiders last season.

"This feels amazing," Red Raiders shortstop Ally Murphy said. "Even when we were younger, it was always tough playing the girls on this team in little league and everything like that. To finally come out with the win in a big spot, it felt really good. We've worked the whole year for this moment and we're not done yet."

The game started as a pitchers duel between Delaney McGovern of North Rockland and Crusaders starter Arianna Exarchakis. It wasn't until the fourth inning till the Red Raider offense really found its stride.

With runners on second and third with two out, on the seventh pitch of the at bat to Murphy, she took the ball to left field scoring both Ava Jacobs and Mia Valverde to give the Red Raiders the 2-0 lead.

"I was ready," Murphy said. "I knew my team needed me in that moment. We were prepared for this."

Red Raiders coach Jackie DiNuzzo explains what she has meant to this team.

"Ally Murphy has been our catalyst all year," DiNuzzo said. "I know Delaney on the mound is great but Ally gets us going. When the girls see her hitting, it calms the rest of the team down. She's a stud of a player. Phenomenal."

But not to be outdone, her sister and left fielder Tara Murphy was key to this game for the Red Raiders. Anytime the Crusaders had traffic on the base paths, the inning had some form of a defensive play by Tara.

"You just have to keep your feet moving and always be ready for the ball," Tara Murphy said of her defense. "Watch the ball off the bat and get there super quick."

Tara Murphy helped out offensively getting a solo home run to center field in the fifth inning. Catcher Olivia Leon added the fourth run in the top of the sixth inning driving in Ally Murphy.

McGovern was thankful for the Murphy sisters on the left side of the filed.

"I don't know what I'd do without them," McGovern said of the Murphy sisters. "I've been playing with Ally since I started softball. She's always been that she is today. She's always been one of the best I've ever seen."

The Crusaders were able to get a run across in the bottom of the sixth inning when Maddy Bennix drove in a run on an error scoring Exarchakis.

Softball: One inning for a repeat Section 1 Class A title for North Rockland

Softball: Section 1 softball tournament results hub

What it means

North Rockland advances to the NYSPHSAA Class AA state semifinals for the first time since 2010. They will face Sections 2's Shenendehowa at 3:30 p.m. at the Moriches Athletic Complex Friday at 3:30 p.m. What it also means is that there will be a brand new NYSPHSAA Class AA champion.

Section 9 champion Monroe-Woodbury concludes their season at 20-5.

Co-player of the game

Ally and Tara Murphy, North Rockland: It's hard to choose one sister over the other because both of them were such a catalyst for the Red Raiders in the win. Ally's two-run triple in the top of the fourth helped get the party started. If it wasn't for Tara's defense out in left field, this game may have had a different outcome.

By the numbers

North Rockland (21-2): Ally Murphy went 3 for 4 with a triple and two RBI. Olivia Leon went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Tara Murphy went 1 for 4 with a solo home run. Hannah Leon went 1 for 3. Ava Jacobs had a double. Delaney McGovern got the win tossing a two-hitter with three walks and three strike outs.

Monroe-Woodbury (20-5): Olivia Shippee and Emily O'Brien each had a hit off of McGovern for the Crusaders. Arianna Exarchakis took the loss going the first four innings. She allowed two runs on three hits, two walks and three strike outs. Valerie Pedersen came in to finish the game.

They said it

"I was nervous because my previous two at bats weren't that great," Tara Murphy said of the home run. "I was just trying to stay on top of the ball because I've been struggling a lot with that this season. So I was really excited when I hit it."

"Since I was 10 years old I've lost to Monroe-Woodbury," Red Raiders ace Delaney McGovern said on her pitching performance. "They've always been so good. I came in this year knowing this year, it was either show up or show out. I have to play my game. even though I wasn't on my game, it was a little slippery out there. I did my best."

Follow Debbie Schechter on Twitter at @LoHud_Debbie & @LoHudSoftball. Follow on Instagram @scrubsgeek1318 & @lohudsoftball.