Southwick completed its undefeated season and earned a Suburban League 12-and-under championship with a 9-5 win over visiting, third-seeded Greenfield Thursday evening at Southwick Recreation Center Fields.
The top seed entered the game 14-0 on the season and one of those wins was a 3-0 victory over Greenfield early in the season. Southwick jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning over Greenfield (12-3), which was playing in the championship game for the first-time ever in 12U play.
Greenfield came back to tie the game with three runs in the top of the second, but Southwick scored twice in the third and four times in the sixth to pull away. Greenfield tacked on two runs in the seventh inning.
“This is the first time that the Greenfield 12U team has made the finals,” Greenfield coach Jessica Wiles said. “I’m so proud of these girls.”
Kameryn Dearborn started and suffered the loss, while Brie Widelo pitched in relief and the two pitchers combined to strike out six.
Dearborn led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a double, while Mackenzie Paulin had one hit and one RBI. Sophia Holden had a hit and two runs batted in, Ava Widelo had a pair of hits, and Rachel Dodge had one hit.
Greenfield has just one player who will be forced to move up to the 14U level. Both pitchers and the starter catcher are 11. Some players may move up due to talent.