At the end of the first inning, things did not look promising for the Dartmouth Girls Athletic League’s Red Sox softball team.

The team’s opponent in the Pony League championship game, the Braves, broke out of the starting gate with four runs. But using the skills the girls have learned throughout their years in the program, the Red Sox bounced back to secure the championship title, 9-6.

The win didn’t surprise coach Noel Ciminello. The Red Sox coach has worked with his team – comprised of both strong athletes and beginners – to make improvements all year. Some of his players even took extra practice time on Saturday to train, he said.

“They’ve put in a lot of hard work in. Everyone on this team has improved,” Ciminello said.

He credited the win to an important lesson, one echoed by his athletes.

“We all kept our heads up, and we didn’t let the other team get in our heads,” said Lily Gioiosa.

The soon-to-be eighth grader has been playing softball in DGAL for the past seven to eight years. She’s in her first of a two-year stint in the Pony League, and thought the championship win was the best game she and her team have played all season.

“We played good defense and kept going back out there,” Gioiosa added.

Catcher Emma Tetrault agreed. She said that although initially being down so many runs was challenging, the turning point came when her teammates got in their hitting grove.

“They’re strong enough in their confidence to play the game, and what we as coaches have given them is to be able to battle back from a dismal first inning and really play a fantastic game,” Ciminello said.

The skills and attitude will transcend the DGAL league. Gioiosa has one more year before leaving the program, but already is eyeing a high school softball career – inspired by her cousin, who got her into the sport.

“My cousin played so I played on her team, and then I just went from there because I liked it a lot," Gioiosa said.

Tetrault also aims to fill big shoes. Both of her sisters played softball, including Dartmouth High varsity player Elissa Tetrault.