PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth softball team outslugged Tiverton, 13-10, in a crossover game Saturday morning at Tiverton High School as the teams combined for 23 hits over seven innings.

Portsmouth closed its regular season Sunday with a 12-2 win over Woonsocket, finishing 12-5 and in third place in Division II.

Tiverton, which leads Division III, fell to 12-2 with four regular-season games remaining before the postseason. Tigers coach Mike Brigham said he was pleased with his team’s effort despite defensive lapses.

“We had our chances to win but didn’t capitalize. We preach details every day at practice, but a pair of routine fly balls and a bad throw changed the outcome. You never like a loss, but you can always use them as a tool to improve,” he said.

Patriots pound 14 hits

Portsmouth collected 14 hits, including a two-run homer and a double from pitcher Mia Ruggieri. Lilly Morgado, Rainey and Schmidt also doubled for the Patriots, who erased deficits of 3-1, 4-2, 8-4 and 10-7.

Patriots’ pitcher Mia Ruggieri delivers to home during the game against Tiverton on Saturday.

ROB TIERNEY

Patriots coach Josh Mello said he expected a high-scoring game.

“I know a lot of the Tiverton players very well,” he said. “I’ve coached a lot of them in the past. They are a very good hitting team.”

He also expected Portsmouth’s offense to respond.

“Our offense is our identity,” Mello said. “I knew we were going to hit too.”

Tigers jump ahead early

Tiverton came out swinging.

Senior leadoff hitter Lia Doster reached on an error, stole second and scored on a double by Brooke Sowa in the first inning. One out later, first baseman Carly Martin blasted a two-run homer over the center-field fence to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead.

Tiverton added a run in the second and scored four more in the third to build an 8-4 advantage.

Senior captain Sarah Poland went 2-for-4, scored twice and homered. Freshman catcher Abby Gilfillen went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Lily Luis tripled and scored twice.

The Tigers pushed their lead to 10-7 in the fourth before Portsmouth rallied.

Kylie Toner leaps to make a catch in right field.

ROB TIERNEY

Ruggieri settles in late

Ruggieri struck out eight and allowed 11 hits and two walks in seven innings. Over the final three innings, she gave up no runs while recording two strikeouts and three ground-ball outs.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, shortstop Lilly Morgado caught a fly ball on the outfield grass and fired to first baseman Emily Bronson for a game-ending double play.

“Mia was awesome for us,” Mello said. “Especially because she pitched a complete game only 16 hours prior to the game.”

Mello said the Patriots enter the postseason with confidence.

“We did a lot of positive things that will give us confidence going into the playoffs,” he said. “It’s a new season now and we will take things one game at a time, but our players will certainly be poised to make a run.”