Johnson’s hitting, Halsey’s pitching launch Smithfield into softball state tournament for first time in 19 years

Isn’t No. 9 in the batting order supposed to be the worst hitter? That certainly did not apply to Smithfield junior Emily Johnson in the biggest softball game of her high school career.

Not only did Johnson hit safely three times on Tuesday, her two-run double to the left-center-field fence in the top of the eighth inning provided the winning runs in the Packers’ 4-2 victory at Grafton in the Class 4 Region A semifinals.

Her heroics, and the three-hit pitching of senior Ashlynn Halsey, moved the Packers (14-8) into the state tournament for the first time in 19 years. They’ll play first in the region championship game Thursday, when a win would earn them a home game in Tuesday’s state quarterfinals.

For Johnson and Halsey, their lineup placement was unusual, adjustments by Packers coach Cathy Riddick.

“Emily had been struggling, so we moved her down to the ninth spot, but she’s worked so hard, it was just a matter of time before she got in a groove,” Riddick said of Johnson. “We started Ashlynn Halsey at pitcher because Grafton has seen our regular starter twice and had been successful.”

In fact, the start was only Halsey’s second pitching appearance. It didn’t begin well as Grafton’s Kalli Helt tagged her for a triple to start the bottom of the first inning, then scored on Emerson Sweeney’s sacrifice bunt to make it 1-0.

But Halsey settled down, facing the minimum 18 batters in the next six innings as she benefited from spectacular defensive plays by third baseman Paightyn McCoole and center fielder Taniek Powell. By then, the score was tied at 1, thanks to Brooke McCoole’s RBI single in the third inning.

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Johnson singled to start the seventh and scored on a bases-loaded walk to give Smithfield a 2-1 lead. Michayla Holley homered to right field for Grafton in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 2.

The Clippers (16-6) could’ve won the game after Emma Day doubled and advanced to third with two outs in the seventh. But Mackenzie Mongillo’s hard shot up the middle bounced unluckily off of Halsey’s leg and to shortstop Donnette Powell, who threw her out by a step.

“That is really what ‘how the ball bounces’ is all about,” Grafton coach Kevin Montini said. “If it doesn’t hit her leg, the ball goes up the middle and we win the game.”

Johnson followed with her two-run double to give the Packers the lead at 4-2 in the top of the eighth. Halsey then retired the Clippers in order, striking out two.

“I was beyond excited when I got on second and saw my team cheering for me,” Johnson said. “It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt in softball.”

Halsey said, “Coach Riddick decided to take a risk today and start me. I knew that I needed to leave it all out there on the field and, since it’s my senior year, I needed to give it my best.

“(The state tournament berth) is amazing. Something we never could have imagined.”