AMHERST — Lila Alvarez had two immediate thoughts after waking up before Sunday's Division 4 softball state championship game.

 

First, the Case pitcher wished her dad, Randy Alvarez, a Happy Father's Day and then mentally prepared herself for the task at hand against No. 2 seed Tyngsboro.

 

In the end, it was mission accomplished for the talented freshman.

 

"I knew our team was ready today and was going to perform well," Alvarez said with a smile after pitching a near-perfect gem in a 1-0 shutout win over the Tigers at Sortino Field on the campus of UMass-Amherst. "I don't know what to say. It feels great honestly."

 

It is the first time in school history that Case (23-1) has gone back-to-back since doing it in 1995-96. The Cardinals captured their sixth state title and move into sole possession of fourth place with Massachusetts titles — behind Turner Falls (20), Taunton (9) and Bishop Fenwick (8).

 

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.