St. Anthony’s came into the softball season with question marks after graduating five Division I players. The Friars found answers throughout the season, perhaps none more definitive than sophomore Makayla Martinez.

Martinez came up clutch at every opportunity, picking up three hits and four RBIs as St. Anthony’s secured its fifth consecutive state championship with a 6-3 win over St. Joseph by the Sea in the CHSAA state final at Snug Harbor Little League on Friday afternoon.

Sarah Bielski led off the top of the sixth inning with a single and Martinez followed by launching a two-run homer to centerfield, breaking a scoreless tie.

“It was a magical moment,” Martinez said. “Seeing all the hard work come together on the field and all the excited reactions.”

After the Vikings scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game, Juli Murillo, Sophia Lee and Bielski each reached safely to load the bases for St. Anthony’s (24-3) with no outs in the top of the seventh. Martinez ripped a single up the middle of the drawn-in infield to bring home two runs and give the Friars a 5-3 lead.

“It was a roller coaster of emotions,” Murillo said. “We always have each other’s backs, no matter the score.”

Melissa Gordon hit a double to drive in Bielski and extend the lead to 6-3. Gordon retired the side in order on five pitches to end the game.

“Got a big adrenaline rush toward the end,” Gordon said. “I knew I just had to throw strikes in the last inning and my defense would do the rest.”

St. Joseph by the Sea ends the season 20-3.

Martinez’s bat was just as impactful in the Friars' semifinal win earlier in the day. She had two hits and four RBIs in an 11-2 win over Archbishop Molloy (18-3).

“I was just visualizing hitting the ball hard each time,” Martinez said. “We’ve got some fast players, so when I see runners on, I know if I put the ball in play, they’ll score.”

Bielski singled to drive in Lee and give the Friars a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth. Martinez blasted a two-run homer to extend the lead to 4-1.

“She’s (Martinez) been hot all year. I had no doubt she’d come through in the big spots,” Bielski said. “I always joke with her that when I get on, I know she’s got me and she never fails.”

Bielski singled to drive in Murillo and Martinez hit a two-run double to extend the Friars’ lead to 7-2 in the seventh.

Seniors Bielski (Fairfield), Murillo (Stonehill) and Gordon (Iona) will each be moving on to play Division I softball this fall. Bielski and Murillo have played four years on varsity, amassing a 97-7 record and four state championships.