The 'Rubber Match' Was No Contest: St. Paul Blasted 14 Hits For Their First Championship

You guys, I am still buzzing from Saturday night! Seriously, if you didn't catch the Class S state final, you missed some ALL-TIME sports history. Okay, it was St. Paul softball, but the energy? Totally Emerald City vibes, a true 12s moment! The Falcons, our No. 1 ranked squad, just absolutely WENT OFF against North Branford, taking home their FIRST EVER softball state championship with an 11-3 domination at UConn's Burrill Family Field. This wasn't just a win, fam. This was pure, unadulterated REVENGE after last year's heartbreaker, and they delivered it with bats-blazing fury!

The Score Was Set, But St. Paul Had Other Plans

Coach Gary Hovhanessian called it the "rubber match," and let me tell you, St. Paul showed up ready to settle the score. Last year's 4-2 loss in the final to North Branford? That was fuel, pure rocket fuel. Third baseman Bella McCulloch, one of our senior leaders, said it herself: "That motivated us a lot. I did want North Branford again. I wanted to get revenge from last year." And revenge they got, big time! The Falcons put on a hitting clinic, racking up a ridiculous 14 hits overall. They scored early and often, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first when junior Lily McCulloch, after reaching on an error and stealing second, scored on a fielder's choice from her twin, Laila McCulloch. After North Branford tied it briefly in the second, St. Paul pushed ahead 3-1 thanks to junior pitcher Breyona Demora doubling and scoring, and junior Sydney Yanavich driving her in, then Yanavich herself scoring on a Julia Kozlak single. This team just kept hitting! Sophomore Kaitlyn Wood doubled and scored in the fourth, and Bella McCulloch singled and scored in the fifth.

Demora Deals While the Batters Keep Punching

While the bats were on fire, junior ace Breyona Demora was absolutely LOCKED IN on the mound. She was named MVP of the game, and for good reason: 12 strikeouts, only three hits and one walk allowed. North Branford barely stood a chance against her heat, even with that late two-run homer in the seventh. Our Falcons just kept piling it on. But the real dagger? That sixth inning. They batted around, put up SIX more runs, making it an 11-1 blowout before North Branford could even blink. Coach Hovhanessian said his seniors were thinking, "This could be my last at-bat," and they made every single one count. Even senior No. 9 batter Stella Boucino got another base hit in that monster inning! Lily McCulloch summed it up perfectly: "We all hit the ball way better this year." You can say that again, kid! Man, what a moment. Coach Hovhanessian said "a piece of this goes to every kid that’s ever put on the uniform," and you can feel that championship pride. This isn't just a championship, it's a statement. It's the kind of season that gets etched into history, a testament to raw talent, grit, and that burning desire for revenge. With their baseball team also winning a Class S title earlier that day, St. Paul truly owned the weekend. For our Falcons, this title means they've set a new standard, a legacy for every kid who puts on that uniform. The Class S championship trophy is staying home, and the future for this squad, with MVP Demora and so much talent coming back, looks bright as hell. Can't wait to see what they do next!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.