Kelly Guindon stepped out from behind the plate in the top of the 11th inning of a tie game against Tri-Valley League rival against Bellingham last week. The Millis High senior catcher called out the play to her teammates in the field.

One out, with the potential go-ahead run at second base.

“Two-one, Two-one! One Down! Infield check two, go one! Outfield cut four!’’ she hollered.

Her voice was loud and noticeable even from afar, much like her signature cleats — pink and highlighter yellow.

“Loudest on the field, loudest in style,’’ she joked.

Guindon settled back into her spot behind the dish, her right throwing hand caressing through the dirt at her feet as she peered into the dugout to take the pitch call from coach R.J. Maturo.

She received the sign, agreed with a nod, and relayed the call to pitcher Carly Wenzel, her best friend on and off the field.

Wenzel struck out the next two batters, validating the trust between coach, catcher, and pitcher for a Mohawk program that advanced to last year’s Division 3 state final.

“It is super important that we are all on the same page, if I don’t agree with coach’s pitch call, I will shake him off,’’ said Guindon, a two-year starter behind the plate.

“The most important thing is being able to trust your coach and trust your pitcher as much as possible.’’

Wenzel, who struck out 11 pitching all 11 innings, led off the bottom of the 11th with a walkoff homer over the head of the left fielder, capping the Mohawks’ 9-8, three-hour victory.

“That was probably the most fun I have ever had playing,’’ said Guindon, who was dinged with foul balls off the mask, arm, and leg and worked with a tight strike zone all game.

“It’s usually a battle back there. You have to learn the strike zone and frame it the best you can to get the pitch in there.’’

Maturo contemplated switching Guindon out for a rest, but the chemistry between his catcher and pitcher was too good to call an audible.

“Wenzel and Guindon were working really well. I can’t break that up,’’ said Maturo.

“Kelly was definitely tired, her legs were a little wobbly and I thought ‘she’s got nothing left’. She’s a tough, tough kid.’’

Wenzel said Guindon “knows me better than I know myself. She knows what I want to throw and where I want to throw it, so there is 100 percent trust there . . . I’m lucky to have her.’’

For every great performance in the circle, there is usually an equally impressive performance behind the plate. A blocked ball in the dirt or a well-timed visit to the mound doesn’t show up in the boxscore, but it can make all the difference in a performance.

Kayse Baker also worked all 11 innings behind plate for Bellingham. She receives most of her recognition as the No. 3 hitter for the Blackhawks, but her most important role this season is undoubtedly working with a pair of young pitchers, freshman Brianna O’Leary and sophomore Sonny Nelson.

“It can be tough to keep a young pitcher’s head in the game sometimes, it’s nerve racking to start on varsity,’’ said Baker, a two-year starter behind the plate.

“I just make sure she stays calm and focused and let her know we all have her back.’’

Baker also threw out an important runner trying to steal second base against Millis to help force extra innings.

“I want girls to try and steal on me just so I can get up and throw it,’’ said Baker. “Honestly, it’s my favorite part of the game.’’

Bellingham coach Dennis Baker (no relation) allows his catcher call every pitch behind the plate.

“It’s like having another coach on the field,’’ said the longtime coach. “She takes the pitchers aside in practice and tutors them, gets them up to speed.

“I trust her when she goes out to the mound to settle the pitcher down. That can’t be overlooked.’’

At Newton North, sophomore Kira Flegenheimer is a first-year starter for Tigers, a perennual contender in Division 1 North.

“Kira has done a great job,’’ said North coach Lauren Baugher. “She calls all the pitches and has worked well with our pitchers. There needs to be confidence there. Each pitcher has a certain routines and that can be difficult for a young catcher.’’

North ace Gabby Vachon was a bit concerned after the graduation of her battermate, Caitlin O’Hanley. But the pair have settled in quickly.

“I’m a really picky pitcher, so I need someone that is easy to work with,’’ said Vachon. “After a couple practices I knew that Kira and I would work well together.’’

Added Flegenheimer, “It was a little stressful coming into the year. Gabby is such a well-respected pitcher, so I wanted to do a good job so it would reflect well on her and on the team. It has gone well but I want to keep working on things I think I can improve on.’’

King Philip sophomore Brianna Lacy has been impressive in her first season behind the plate working with ace Kali Magane.

“I have confidence in her and she has confidence in me,’’ said Lacy. “Playing for a team that has a reputation for being good adds some pressure, but having a good pitcher helps take some of that pressure off.’’

“The responsibility of the catcher is enormous, she has to be in the game at all times,’’ said King Philip coach Norm Beauchemin. “Brianna has done a phenomenal job.’’

“You have to have someone that you have a bond with back there, someone who can read what you are thinking,’’ said Magane.

“It’s the most important position on the field.’’

Michael McMahon can be reached at mcman92@gmail.com.