St. Mary’s softball coach Newbury to players: Just play your game

The only thing certain about today’s Div. 3 state championship between St. Mary’s and Montaschusett Regional Vocational Technical School (1 p.m. at Worcester State) is that it will be the last time the Spartans will be together, at least on a softball field.St. Mary’s held its final practice of the season on Friday, and Spartans’ coach Colleen Newbury said the team was unusually quiet.”Maybe it was nerves; maybe they realized it was the last practice, but it was kind of weird,” Newbury said. “The kids know they don’t have any softball after (today).”While this is St. Mary’s first trip to a state final, Newbury played in four with Bishop Fenwick. Still, there aren’t any especially prescient words a coach can say to her players at this point.”I just told them to play the same game they’ve been playing (throughout the tournament),” she said. “Hopefully, we’ll play good defense, hit the ball and get good pitching.”Playing in the Catholic Central League, the Spartans are accustomed to some long bus trips to Brockton (Cardinal Spellman) and Braintree (Archbishop Williams), which may serve them well as they head out to Worcester State for today’s game.The trick is not being rushed by being late, but not arriving too early so the players have to sit around for too long.”We’ll probably meet at about 9 (a.m.) and then leave about 10:15,” Newbury said. “You never know if there’s going to be traffic, even on a Saturday. You’d probably rather get there a little early than a little late.”game.Monty Tech, which plays in the Colonial League in Central Massachusetts, was 19-1 during the regular season, and then lost to Greater New Bedford in the State Vocational Tournament.Monty is completely centered around pitcher Alyssa Babineau, who had to take over mound duties after regular starter Kelly Lacroix hurt her arm.Lacroix is still in the lineup, however.Another strong player for Monty is Ivette Tejada, who has hit well in the tournament.Like St. Mary’s, this is the first time Monty Tech has ever been in a state final.uDirections to Worcester State are as follows:The main campus at Worcester State is located on 486 Chandler Street.Those going to the game via the Massachusetts Turnpike should proceed to Exit 10 (Auburn), Rte. 290 East. From Rte. 495, look for Exit 25, Rte. 290 West.From 290 East: Take Exit 17 (Rt. 9). Turn left onto Rt. 9 West, which will turn into Highland Street at bottom of the hill. Proceed up the hill onto Highland Street.From Rte. 290 West: Take Exit 18 (Rt. 9 West). Turn right off exit ramp and stay in center lane, following directions for Rt. 9 West. Turn right onto Rt. 9 West, also known as Highland Street.From Highland Street: While on Highland Street, stay in the right hand lane. Stay on Highland Street for 1.5 miles. (you’ll pass Elm Park and Doherty High School on the left.) At the rotary, bear left onto June Street. (Pizza establishment on corner) At the second light, turn right onto May Street. The main entrance to the College will be three blocks up on your left.The Worcester State College Softball field is adjacent to Coughlin Memorial Football Field. Once you have followed the initial directions leading to campus, enter the first entrance to the campus on your left. At the first blinking light on campus, take a right. Follow this road past academic/administrative buildings on your right and the student center on your left. The field is directly ahead of you at the end of the road. You can park in the large parking lot next to the Athletic Building.