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Connecticut softball pitchers combine for 53 K's in state title game

IMG_8358by: Andy Villamarzo06/16/25Andy_Villamarzo
Syndication: Iowa City Press-Citizen
A general view from center field during a high school softball game between Iowa City Regina and Solon, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at the Solon Recreation and Nature Area in Solon, Iowa.

It took every bit of 13 innings to decide who the winner of Sunday night’s Connecticut Association of Schools (CIAC) Class M softball state championship game would be. One thing was certain and that was the two pitcher’s on display at UConn’s Burrill Family Field were dealing out strikeouts all evening long.

If you’re someone who likes watching a pitcher’s duel, you got your wish in Hartford.

The Joseph A. Foran Lions (28-0) capped an undefeated season by edging out Woodland Regional Hawks (29-1), 1-0, in 13 innings behind a stellar pitching performance by junior hurler Abigail Corris. Corris and her counterpart, Woodland Regional’s Ella VanAlstyne, combined for an eye-popping 53 strikeouts in the low-scoring affair.

‘What. A. Game. Foran and Woodland went the distance — and then some — battling through 13 innings in the CIAC Class M State Championship! Foran came out on top with a 1-0 win, led by pitcher Abigail Corris, who threw an unbelievable shutout with 32 strikeouts and just 2 walks. Incredible display of grit and skill from both teams in a championship for the record books.’

Corris was one of the New England region’s top pitchers all spring long, with the junior compiling 388 strikeouts along with a 0.62 earned run average heading into Sunday’s Class M title game.

The shutout for Foran was the eleventh of the season on their way to claiming the state championship and did so behind Corris’ arguably best performance of the ’25 season.

Foran’s ace saved her best for last in the state title victory, striking out a game-high 32 batters in 13 innings, yielding just three hits to lift the Lions over the Hawks.

On the other side of the spectrum was VanAlstyne, who had a solid night in the circle herself. The UMass Lowell commitment finished the evening striking out 21 and giving up five hits in the loss.

VanAlstyne’s 21 fanned batters was her highest total of any game this season. The senior finished the spring season with 321 strikeouts and a 23-1 record.

When it comes to top high school softball teams out of the New England region, it’s hard to argue that Foran and Woodland Regional are not in the national conversation along with regional powers Taunton (Massachusetts) and La Salle Academy (Rhode Island).

Sunday night’s pitching duel between Corris and VanAlstyne will go down in the Connecticut high school softball lore as one of the better state title games.