Lincoln-Sudbury had one of the more successful programs in the state the last two years, but head coach Devan Morrison wasn’t totally content.

The back-to-back 19-1 records were something almost any softball team in the state would kill for, but the regular season success didn’t transfer to the postseason as the Warriors lost in the state quarterfinals last year and the Round of 16 two years ago.

“When I was looking at our team the last two years, I wasn’t happy with our resiliency come tournament time,” Morrison said. “Once the Dual County League set it up so that we played everyone just once, it opened up so many opportunities. It did present a little bit of a geographical challenge, but it was good to have a chance to play good competition.

“I was very transparent about this with our upperclassmen and explained why I wanted to ramp it up.”

In addition to the two DCL showdowns against Bedford and its star pitcher Alyx Rossi, the rest of the slate included Rhode Island power LaSalle, Newton North, Hopkinton, Central Catholic, Tyngsboro, Wachusett, King Philip and two against Silver Lake. Despite that gauntlet, the Warriors are 15-5.

After a disappointing 10-0 loss to LaSalle, Lincoln-Sudbury showed some mettle against defending Division 2 state champion Walpole. The inspired Warriors knocked off the Timberwolves, 5-2.

“The season opener against LaSalle was a punch in the gut, but it woke us up,” Morrison. “We were really fired up against Walpole and winning that game, even though it was early in the season, gave us the confidence and belief that we could handle the tough schedule.”

Another watershed moment for Lincoln-Sudbury was the two-game series with Silver Lake. After losing to the Lakers 12-0 in the first meeting, the Warriors rebounded with a 1-0 victory in the rematch.

“That was a big challenge for us,” Morrison said. “The first game was a tough one, it was scoreless after 3 ½ and they went on to win, 12-0. That really left a bad taste in our mouths. We did get a second chance three weeks later to show we were better than that and we really played some gritty defense.”

Lincoln-Sudbury has star power. UMass-bound Kelsey Blanchette has been a mainstay on the mound and at the plate. The Lent sisters (Ashley and Nicole) and Sophie Jorjorian have joined Blanchette at the top of the lineup.

Back on top again

Xaverian captured its third consecutive Catholic Conference title, rallying from a 4-0 first-inning deficit to defeat St. John’s (Shrewsbury), 10-9. The winning run came home when Nolan Rappoli was plunked by a pitch with the bases loaded in the last of the seventh.

“The league presents us with several challenges throughout the season and what we need to do to be a good team in the postseason,” said Xaverian coach Gerry Lambert. “You have to be able to bounce back from adversity — we got slaughter-ruled (13-3) in our first league game against BC High. So this team has done a good job of bouncing back all year long.”

Xaverian had to against St. John’s (Shrewsbury). Lambert stressed to his team after the inning that this wasn’t the time to try and play hero ball.

“I just told them let’s take things one bat at a time,” Lambert said. “Sometimes kids want to hit a grand slam home run with no one on base. In the second inning, we were able to go up there and string together five straight singles and our No. 8 and No. 9 hitters (Jack Coen and Will Curley) came up big with two strikes on them. It’s not always going to be the No. 3 guy in the lineup getting the key hit.”

The title game went back and forth, Xaverian rallying to take a 9-5 lead only to watch the Pioneers rally with four runs to tie the game, setting up the wild finish.

“I think we were stunned when Nolan got hit,” Lambert said. “I can say I’ve never seen a game won on a hit-by-pitch. Usually it’s a fly ball tag-up, line drive, grounder. I was just telling the runners on base to stay out of the double play.

“The last thing on my mind was a plunk on the shoulder.”

All-Star game schedule

The Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association will host its 47th annual Senior All-Star baseball game on Tuesday, June 17, at BC High’s Monan Park with a 7 p.m. start. The game will feature league MVPs from various North and South leagues in Eastern Massachusetts. Among those who have competed in the game include future major leaguers Tom Glavine, Manny DelCarmen, Mike Vasil and Kevin McGlinchey.

Admission is $5.

The MBCA Junior Select All-Star Games will be held at Howard Park in Malden on Thursday, June 12. The Junior Selects will play at 4, followed by the Sophomore Selects.