When the Concord National Youth Softball 12-under All-Stars needed Taylor LaTorra and Charlotte Mae Fithian at their best, the pitcher-catcher combo answered the call.
After teammates rallied to take a lead in the top of the seventh inning, LaTorra and Fithian locked down Mount Monadnock for a 7-5 win on Sunday to deliver the CNYS All-Stars to their third consecutive state championship. The Concord battery was there for every pitch, from Friday’s start to Sunday’s conclusion.
Mount Monadnock forced extra frames by tying up the final, 5-5, in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The CNYS All-Stars fought back from adversity after dropping the first match in the three-game series to Mount Monadnock at Martin Park. Concord bounced back in big fashion in game two with a 13-3 win in five innings on Saturday.
On Sunday, the state title hung in the balance as game 3 went into extra innings.
Kinsley Foss started on second base and was advanced to third on a bunt by Kali Schmid. Her steal of home was all Concord needed to go ahead for good.
“It took a lot of perseverance, from each other and all my teammates,” LaTorra said after the win.
Concord U-12 Softball’s Taylor LaTorra (2) and Charlotte Mae Fithian (R) celebrate the last strikeout to win the state title over Mt. Monadnock. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Concord pitcher Taylor LaTorra was in the circle for every pitch of the three game series against Mt. Monadnock at Martin Park for the U12 Little League Softball state title. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Concord’s Hartley Clark lays down a bunt against Mt. Monadnock to get on base in the top of the fifth inning. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
Concord scored two runs early in Sunday’s decider with five straight walks and two steals of home by LaTorra and Fithian. Mount Monadnock managed to come back and go ahead late, though.
Down a run, 3-2, in the sixth inning in the last game of the state championship, Concord needed a spark.
Fithian reached base on a single. LaTorra advanced her with another hit. Fithian scored to tie it up on her second steal of home on the day.
“We knew going in it was going to be harder, but that prepared us because we knew we could come back, we know we can fight back,” Fithian said.
Then Hartley Clark singled and was advanced by Preslie Root on a walk. With bases loaded, Foss fired off a double to drive in LaTorra and Clark. It seemed like with one half inning to go, Concord could close it out. Mount Monadnock found a way to stick around and it took big plays from everyone, netting two big runs to tie it up.
Shortstop Root came up big multiple times in the third game Concord with big catches, a double play in the first and a pickoff in extra innings.
Lauren Plodzik was key to keeping the rhythm in game 2 on Saturday alongside Fithian and LaTorra, who all produced two hits, two runs and an RBI each. The three were tasked with leading a significantly younger group this year in hopes of returning to the regional tournament. This was their last year with this team before aging out, and they made it count.
“I feel like we’ve grown a lot by just being there for each other and working very hard to get to this point,” Plodzik said.
The win booked the team a spot in the 2026 Little League Softball New England Region tournament in Bristol, Conn. Concord will represent New Hampshire against Vermont in Saturday’s 8 p.m. contest.
Concord coach Tim LaTorra was able to put it all together for the girls this year. They had a strong core of returners last year, but this season was more of a mystery.
He tried to give them as much game preparation as he could with only two nights of practice a week. The intense scrimmaging paid off when it counted.
“It shows them how to compete and be an athlete. Whether you’re up or down, you give the best version of yourself,” LaTorra said.