Taking care of business

By David Carty, Globe Correspondent

TAUNTON -- It was business as usual for the West Bridgewater softball team.

The Wildcats shut down Bristol-Plymouth, 10-0, in the Division 3 South final, their third straight win over the Craftsmen this season - by a combined 42-1 score.

West Bridgewater starter Alyssa Williams carried a perfect game into the sixth inning before pinch hitter Kayla Rasar broke it up with a leadoff single. It was the only blemish for Williams, who struck out only two, relying on her defense to get the outs.

"They can flash the leather when they have to," said co-coach Richard Zanca.

They can also get the job done with the aluminum. West Bridgewater had seven hits, including a triple by freshman Alyssa Gray, and were aided by nine walks.

Williams appreciated the support. "It helps you calm down so your nerves don't get control of you," she said.

The sectional title is the third straight for the Wildcats, and the sixth in seven years.

West Bridgewater faces North champion St. Mary's Tuesday in Lowell.

Junior cocaptain Samantha Doyle got the nod for B-P, but allowed seven base runners - six on walks - in the first inning. B-P fell in a 5-0 hole they would not be able to climb out of.

"I thought the tone was set with the first [West Bridgewater] batter," Craftsmen coach Paul Westner said. "She wound up walking her and it was all downhill from there."

West Bridgewater drew nine walks at the plate and logged seven hits, including a triple by freshman Alyssa Gray.

The win extends West Bridgewater's dominance on the softball diamdon. "We know the tradition here and it feels good to win it again," said Meg Dow, Mayflower League MVP.

Both Dow and Williams shook off the idea that winning may be getting old. For Williams and Co., there's one very clear goal in mind: "We want to go all the way," she said.

A few game notes:

• According to co-head coach Ed Fitzgerald, West Bridgewater has not committed an error throughout the tournament. In Sunday's game alone, West Bridgewater cleanly recorded 19 of 21 outs. "We put the ball in play," Westner said. "They just got everything we hit."
• West Bridgewater had an easy run in the regular season, averagin 14 runs per game and obliterating many of their opponents. The tournament has been a completely different beast. The Wildcats only scored four runs in each of their games against Hull and Harwich. They even needed some heroics - a walkoff single by do-it-all Williams - to knock off Hull.
• Lowell is a hike for both St. Mary's and West Bridgewater. St. Mary's can expect about a 45-minute drive; West Bridgewater about an hour.
• The Wildcats must be happy to see a different opponent this year. North Reading knocked the Wildcats out of the tournament each of the last two years. They have Austin Prep to thank for bumping them out in the D3 North quarterfinals.
• If you think the well is running dry on talent in West Bridgewater, think again. Williams and Dow are the only two departing seniors for the 'Cats. On Sunday, eight freshmen started between the two teams.
• Here's the game line score:

  Bristol-Plymouth - 000 000 0 - 0 1 1

  West Bridgewater - 500 014 X - 10 7 0