In a matchup featuring the two best pitchers in the state, someone would have to step up and make a play. Milford catcher Taylor LeBrun stepped up and made two.
LeBrun came through with an RBI single in the bottom of the second inning, and in the seventh the freshman backstop gunned down a would-be base stealer to help Milford earn a 2-0 victory against top-ranked King Philip in a nonleague clash yesterday at Milford High.
The loss was the first for King Philip (3-1) since the 2010 regular season, a 1-0 loss to Milford that was avenged in that year’s Division 1 state final.
“Obviously you knew coming it was going to be a pitchers’ duel,” Milford coach Brian Macchi said. “The past three days of practice I’ve been preaching you have to put the ball in play against (King Philip’s Meghan) Rico and make them make plays.”
Caroline Fairbanks led off the second inning for Milford (5-0) with a bloop single, took second on a sacrifice bunt by Sam Bonvino, and came all the way around when LeBrun lined a single into right. LeBrun later scored on a double by Elizabeth Stallone.
Those two runs seemed to be all the cushion that Milford ace Shannon Smith needed. The University of Kentucky commit struck out 17 Warriors, including nine straight from the fourth through the sixth innings, while allowing just two baserunners, both on singles.
“They were getting kind of amped in the batter’s box and their hands were moving too fast so they couldn’t protect the outside as well as they usually do,” Smith said. “I didn’t want to them to be able to expect where it’s coming.”
Rico was stellar as well. The George Washington-bound senior allowed five hits and struck out 12.
Baseball
Brandon Bingel earned his second win for St. John’s Prep (5-1), striking out seven in a 7-0 triumph against Arlington. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBI.
Boys lacrosse
In the Greater Boston League, Medford (6-1) took a 9-7 decision against Cambridge (1-5), thanks in part to hat tricks from Ryan and Chris McCarthy.
Girls lacrosse
In the Bay State League, Shannon Fitzgerald scored half of Newton North’s goals as it beat Mansfield, 14-7.
Sean Brennan and Shawn Myrick contributed to this report.