AMHERST –– It was a three-peat. It’s now a dynasty.
Top-seeded Taunton won its fourth consecutive Division 1 championship by downing 21st-seeded Hockomock League rival King Philip, 5-0, on Sunday at Sortino Field. The Tigers (25-0) capped a flawless season for their ninth title in program history.
The four consecutive championships are the most since Bishop Fenwick reeled off seven straight from 1990-96.
Taunton coach Michelle Raposo won back-to-back championships as a third baseman in 2002 and 2003. In her second season as a coach, she accomplished the same feat with her sophomore daughter, Mia Torres.
Posing together for a picture in left field holding the championship trophy, they beamed from ear-to-ear.
Torres jump-started the Tigers’ offense from the leadoff spot, slicing a ball into the right-center gap and speeding around for a triple. Freshman third baseman Bella Bourque looped a sacrifice fly to left and the Tigers got off to a 1-0 lead in the third inning.
They never looked back.
“It’s nice that we can both celebrate going back-to-back,” said Torres. “It’s what we’ve always wanted. We can know both relate to winning two and I think it’s a great thing for both of us.”
Torres, a right fielder, finished 3 for 4 with a pair of runs. Bourque collected two RBIs and junior shortstop Brooke Aldrich launched her sixth home run of the postseason as the top of the order proved to be a series of tough outs.
Senior Texas Tech commit Sam Lincoln finished her high school career with yet another shutout, scattering four hits with three walks and nine strike outs.
The Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year proved unflappable, her confidence growing as the offense supplied plenty of support.
Despite playing six underclassmen, the Tigers showcased their poise. They were unflappable thanks to their experienceplaying in pressure-filled environments. The feeling of climbing to the top of the mountain and adding to the program’s success doesn’t grow old.
“I remember being a player and it was unheard of to win two state championships back-to-back,” said Raposo. “To come out here and do it as a coach, it brings back all those feelings as a player.”
Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.