Kiley Hogan Leads Tyngsborough Softball to Division 4 Championship Match

WORCESTER — The Tyngsborough softball team is no stranger to the postseason spotlight, having made significant playoff runs in the past two years. This season, with senior Kiley Hogan at the helm, the No. 3 Tigers are determined to secure a championship. Hogan's impressive performance, which included two hits and 12 strikeouts, propelled Tyngsborough to an 8-0 victory over second-seeded Hampshire in the Division 4 state semifinals at Worcester State University.

“She is the heart of the team and she does a whole lot of work with everybody on the team, not just with the underclassmen,” remarked Tigers’ coach April Eringis, praising Hogan's leadership and ability to identify areas for improvement. “She is able to pinpoint the little things that we can fix.” Eringis emphasized Hogan’s role as a pivotal presence on the field, comparable to an additional coach.

After allowing a double to Hampshire's shortstop Lucy Trombley in the first inning, Hogan quickly adapted her pitching strategy. By focusing on the outside of the plate, she dominated the game, retiring 14 of the next 15 batters and striking out the side in both the first and second innings. “It was just me and (catcher) Dev (Amico),” Hogan said, highlighting the connection she shares with her eighth-grade catcher. “I just really lock in and focus on me and her.”

In addition to her stellar pitching, Hogan showcased her offensive skills, reaching base four times with three hits, a walk, a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. Her lead-off single in the third inning ignited a scoring rally that established a commanding 3-0 lead for the Tigers. “From the first inning on, we were putting bat on ball, we were getting barrels,” Hogan noted, reflecting on the team’s offensive strategy.

With a strong lineup that saw every player record a hit, Tyngsborough added runs in subsequent innings, showcasing their offensive prowess. “I honestly believe that it’s the second time through the lineup when we really start to get a move on it,” Eringis explained. Having narrowly missed the title in the last two years, Tyngsborough is eager for redemption as they prepare to face unbeaten top seed AMSA in the finals, set to be held at Worcester State University later this week.

“These kids have worked really hard the last two seasons where we have lost by one run in the state finals, they are gunning for it this year because they can feel it,” Eringis said, expressing confidence in her team's determination. For Hogan, a potential championship would be a fitting conclusion to her remarkable high school career. “It means everything,” Hogan asserted. “We really just have to focus.”