By Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor
WORCESTER, Mass. – Heading into the bottom of the fourth in Saturday evening’s Div. 1 state title game at Worcester State’s Rockwood Field, Taunton (24-1) trailed league rival Attleboro (18-7) by a run. The Tigers trailed by five runs before they even stepped to the plate, had clawed back to go in front, and the Bombardiers had just regained the lead.
Senior Victoria Corrao stepped to the plate to start the inning. On a 1-1 count, Corrao turned on a pitch and lifted one to deep right. The ball carried over the fence and off one of the porta potties for a game-tying homer.
It was the second of three hits from the Taunton leadoff hitter and her third run scored in the game, which tied a record for the most runs by an individual in a state title game (which was also tied on Saturday by Taunton junior Bella Bourque and King Philip junior Kelly Donahue).
Corrao was the spark plug at the top of the order, helping Taunton come from behind twice to secure an 11-8 win (which also set a record for most combined runs in a final) and the program’s sixth straight state title.
“Absolutely amazing,” said Corrao while clutching the state championship trophy after the game. “We worked so, so, so, so hard and it definitely felt like a little bit of pressure but we knew we could handle it.”
The pressure comes from trying to avoid being the team that ends Taunton’s streak. The Tigers have only lost once in the past three years and haven’t lost to an in-state opponent since a loss to KP in 2023. They are now one championship away from matching Bishop Fenwick’s run of seven straight from 1990-1996.
How do the Tigers avoid being overwhelmed by trying to continue this run?
“We have fun,” Corrao explained. “The key is literally having fun. We have fun on the field, we talk, we don’t let anyone get down on themselves. I mean, yeah we get a little frustrated at some moments, but we pick each other up. We’re a family.”
In a lineup as loaded with talent as Taunton’s, Corrao’s role at the top of the order can sometimes fly under the radar, but with her and classmate Mia Torres putting pressure on the opposition it creates opportunities for others to drive in runs.
“She just keeps battling,” said Taunton coach Michelle Raposo about Corrao. “She works hard in the cage, saying what can I do to fix my swing, what can I do for a slap? I said, just stop thinking and just go out there and compete. You’re a great hitter and a great player, just put the ball in play and you’ll get on.”
On Saturday, Attleboro jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first, but Corrao had an instant response. She drilled a line drive into the gap in right center and raced around for a triple that gave the Tigers a much-needed spark. She scored Taunton’s first run after an error.
In the second, Corrao again led off and worked a walk. She scored on Bourque’s home run to center that gave Taunton its first lead of the game. Two innings later, she got a homer of her own.
“I mean, that felt amazing,” Corrao said, smile stretching from ear-to-ear. “I didn’t doubt us. The first inning was definitely, yeah this is going to be tough, but I knew we could pull through.”
Corrao added a bunt single in the fifth inning, getting on base for the fourth time in the game.
“I feel like it’s pretty important,” she said about her role. “I think starting it off, everyone’s energy comes from that but even if I don’t start it off with a home run or a bunt or whatever then they all have my back. I have Mia and Bella behind me and it just goes on down the lineup.”
This was a transition year for the UMass Dartmouth-commit, who moved from right field to second base before the season, filling in for an injury. Alongside Bourque at shortstop, it was a completely new middle of the infield for the Tigers, but one that quickly gelled.
“She’s just a happy-go-lucky kid and she just wants to compete” Raposo said. “Moving from the outfield, we tested a few kids and she seemed like the most seamless possibility and she’s taken on that role and her and Bella have worked so hard. They both worked really hard at finding their space.”
“I’m so happy and thrilled for her that she produced in this game because she was feeling like she hadn’t been. She’s just a great kid.”
On the final play of the game, Bourque fielded a grounder and flipped to second. After delivering time and again on the biggest stage, Corrao ended the game and her Taunton career with the ball in her glove and another title to celebrate.
