Hailey Berube, Brooke Perron shine in Joseph Case's masterpiece over New Bedford

SWANSEA — After losing to Fairhaven 20 days ago, the two-time defending South champion Joseph Case softball team has been all business.

Cardinal junior catcher Olivia Silva and junior pitcher Hailey Berube said their team chemistry has finally arrived.

"I believe we are coming together as a team," said Berube after pitching a complete-game, two-hit 9-0 non-league shutout win against New Bedford on Thursday at Elizabeth S. Brown Elementary School. "We're working as a team and it is much better."

Silva, whose team have now won eight straight games, said this is the best that Berube thrown in four years catching for her.

"This is the best I've seen her pitch ever," she said. "These past eight games she has been on a roll. Our defense has been here. I feel like we're finally, especially these past three games, are putting it all together. The offense has been through the roof."

Berube wasn't the only story for Case (13-4) in this one.

The bottom half of the Cardinal's lineup brought their A-game to the plate.

Sophomore Brooke Perron who was mired in a midseason slump and was forced to sit, came up big by belting two home runs — the first of her varsity career. She also drove in three runs.

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"I've never done that before," Perron smiled. "I just started keeping my hands in and squaring up to the ball."

Senior Emera Marcello also had a big day at the plate with a pair of hard-hit doubles, scored two times and knocked in three RBI. The No. 7 hitter Breanna Fontes also contributed two hits and scored a run.

"I'm usually not a strong hitter, " Marcello said. "I've been working at my swings at practices a lot. I'm glad I really waited on the ball today."

Case head coach Shannon Silva said she wasn't aware of the current win streak.

"Everything has been different since we lost to Fairhaven," she said. "Our defense was definitely struggling. We had a lot of errors. We have turned it around since then. Our hitting as well has changed."

Whalers head coach Harry Lowe said his team simply ran out of gas, playing in their third game in four days.

"It caught up to us," Lowe said. "We ran into a pretty good pitcher today. We hit her [Berube] pretty good the first time. But this time she got us back. A lot of things added up to this loss, but we'll take it."

Silva said the Cardinals are hitting their peak at the right time.

"We've been working hard," she said. "I feel like we're clicking at the right time."

Five takeaways

Berube retired the first seven batters before giving up a single to Ava Kaplan. The Cardinal right-hander fanned five batters and walked two during her 91-pitch effort. Berube has thrown two straight shutouts in the circle. She also collected her 100th strikeout this season.

Defense for Case shined during a gray, misty afternoon. Senior tri-captain Abby Sirois took away a hit from Lauren Mitchell in right field and gunned her out at first base. Sophomore shortstop Lily Picard took away a hit with a leaping grab of a ball heading into left field.

New Bedford made two errors which led to two unearned runs. They also had a wild pitch, which led to another run. The Whalers also stranded five base-runners. Sydnee Ramos had a great game at shortstop, making several running grabs in the outfield.

Since the 9-7 loss to the Blue Devils, the Cardinals have allowed just six runs in eight games. Half the wins are shutouts.

Offensively, Case has averaged over 10 runs a game through eight wins.

Lowe on his decision to pull Lilly Gray

The Cardinals knocked star NB pitcher Lilly Gray out of the game after two innings. It was the shortest stint this season for Gray.

"The field was a little soft today and I saw Lilly had some problems with her shins. I decided not to have her throw anymore. We have some big games coming up next week and the following week. I did not want to push that envelope anymore."

Silva takes about her team's hitting and Perron, Marcello

"We focus so much on hitting. I'm pretty confident generally we're going to play pretty solid defense so we focus on hitting all the time. They are really starting to click. It was Brooke Perron's day. I'm so proud of her. She is such a good kid. Emera is such a competitor. Everything she does, she does it at 110%. She plays hard and swings hard."

Stats

Sirois and Brooke Orton each scored a run in the win along with courtesy runners Alexandra Holden and Skye Dupre.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Chezsports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Berube, Perron shine in Joseph Case victory over New Bedford