Pioneer Valley was on the ropes in the seventh and eighth innings and both times came through the capture the Division 5 state championship over English, which lost its repeat bid.

The Joseph Case freshman shortstop hit the 'Shot heard around Swansea' with one swing of the bat that stayed inside the foul pole for a home run that gave the two-time defending state champions the lead at 6-5 in a see-saw contest at Worcester State University's Rockwood Softball Field.

REPLAY: The WIAA state softball championships continued June 13 in Madison. Here are some highlights from the day's action.

Spencer Richard Lee, of the United State celebrates after defeating Uzbekistan's Gulomjon Abdullaev in their men's freestyle 57kg semifinal wrestling match, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) AP

Dixon might have been the most athletic player on the court in Cranston East’s upset of North Kingstown. Defense was key in the Thunderbolts’ 3-2 (25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 15-25, 16-14) triumph. Dixon stymied NK’s hitters and handed the Skippers’ its only loss this season. The championship win earned Cranston East its first state title.

South Africa has won the World Test Championship against titleholder Australia by five wickets after knocking off the last 69 runs required on the fourth morning of the final in London.

Who has the best athletic program in the Evansville area? Because Tecumseh softball has a case following another state championship.