The Cranston East softball team’s Division III reign came to an end on Sunday at Rhode Island College, when Tiverton erased a five-run deficit to force extra innings and walk off to an 9-8 win in the ninth inning of the Division III title game.

Tiverton rolled to a 14-2 win over the Bolts the previous week to send the defending champs to the losers bracket. East bounced back, beating Rogers 6-2 to earn one more chance at the Tigers.

East took a 1-0 lead over Tiverton in the first inning and scored four runs in the fourth inning to go up 7-2. The Tigers rallied to score six runs in the final three innings to force extras before getting the game-winner in the ninth.

Gianna Tocci, Cydnee Meekins and Aniah Parker all drove in multiple runs for East while Lexi Montalban knocked in another. Nevaeh Fatorma scored three runs as well. Montalban pitched 8 1/3 innings and allowed three earned runs while striking out six batters.

The Bolts had a breakout season in 2024 as they finished undefeated and cruised to their first championship. The team returned this spring with a few new faces, including Montalban at pitcher, and managed to return to the title game despite the end result.

Graduating will be senior captains Fatorma and Jaeda Viveiros. After years of struggle, the duo became centerpieces in the program’s revival and rise to prominence in the state.

“It’s incredible. It says a lot about how tough we can be. I hope (the younger players) see how confident I am in them and get back here next year. I just want them to know that they need to have confidence in themselves,” said Fatorma, who will be playing for Division II Assumption next spring. “I’m excited (for college). I wasn’t expecting to lose today, but I’m ready for the big change. It’s a different game.”

Viveiros will miss the Bolts, especially Fatorma, who has become one of her best friends the past four years.

“We have been friends since we were little so to play together is a great feeling. It’s crazy because I didn’t expect this, and to bring the bond onto the feel was amazing,” said Viveiros, who echoed Fatorma’s message to the returning girls. “They need to just stay positive and not get caught up in the mess when (things don’t go right). Stay confident, stay calm.”