Softball Clinches Title, Baseball Advances to Finals

The LRL championship is KUA’s second in the last three seasons.

Offensively, it was Stella Kozak ’25 who led the Wildcats’ charge, driving in a pair of runs on a home run and a double. Zoie Stevens ’25 and Avy Arias ’28 also drove in runs for KUA, while Runge, Leila Portugal ’26, Kennedy FitzSimons ’26, and Olivia Parker ’26 each tallied at least one hit. Anna Baker ’27, Gabi Young ‘27, and Stella Prieto ‘27 anchored the defense behind Runge.

“Adi pitched an incredible game, and she was prepared on how to throw to every batter in the Tilton lineup," Head Softball Coach Matt Underhill said. "Our defense has been outstanding all year, and it was again in the final. We got timely hits and took advantage of a couple Tilton miscues. But the biggest factor was our girls’ attitudes. They played free, which is hard to do when there is a championship on the line. But their looseness and calmness allowed them to weather the storms of the game, stay even keeled, and block out the noise. We played the game, not the occasion, and I think that was the difference.”

Up next for the Wildcats is the Western New England tournament, where Underhill’s team will compete as the No. 2 seed. KUA will take on No. 3 Choate Rosemary Hall in the first round Saturday at 2 p.m., in Wallingford, Connecticut.

See photos from the final game.

The Wildcats scored three runs in the sixth inning of its LRL semifinal against St. Paul’s on Wednesday, turning a one-run deficit into a narrow victory and a berth to Saturday’s championship game.

Otis Hamner ’27 and Aidan Gracey ’25 each drove in runs for KUA in that decisive third inning, while Daniel Machado ’25, and Henry Sullivan ’27 also swung their way on base in the contest. Defensively, the Wildcats benefited from five-solid innings on the hill from Leo Barta ’25, who surrendered one earned run on three hits while striking out four. Gracey (one earned run, one hit, four strikeouts) also pitched well for KUA.

“Watching this team grow and come together over the season makes this win incredibly meaningful — not just for me as a coach, but for the entire KUA community,” Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Chad Sturgeon said. “When it mattered most, they played a nearly perfect game, showing grit, discipline, and unity. We’re thrilled for the opportunity to compete for a Lakes Region Championship.”

Sturgeon’s team will take on Vermont Academy in the championship game Sunday, May 18 at 1 p.m. at Vermont Academy.