AUBURN – Meghan Ford’s first reaction was surprise, but that quickly turned to exhilaration.

The Poland leftfielder didn’t really expect to see Elisha Dorso headed for home and attempting to score the tying run Thursday. When the St. Dom’s runner did round third in the bottom of the seventh, Ford couldn’t have been happier.

“That’s my favorite play,” said Ford. “It’s awesome to throw people out at home. So I was like Yes! He sent her.’ I was like really excited and pumped up.”

Ford threw a strike to catcher Kasey Darnell. The senior catcher blocked the plate, caught Ford’s relay and tagged Dorso out to end the game.

“Meghan always has a pretty good throw,” said Darnell. “So I was just thinking, (Dorso) wasn’t getting home. She was there, and I had it and tagged her. I wanted to make sure I got between her and the plate.”

The 2-1 victory ended Poland’s regular season tying the program’s best record of 11-5, achieved two years ago. The Knights were ranked seventh in the latest Western B standings but could still move up a spot.

“This last week our team has played amazing,” said Ford. “This momentum is going to carry over into the playoffs.”

The Saints finished the regular season at 11-3 and hopes to hold the fourth spot and earn a first-round bye in Western C.

The Saints entered the final inning down 2-0. After two outs, the Knights had the victory nearly secure but an Erica Dorso single and an error on an Elisha Dorso grounder gave St. Dom’s life. With two strikes, Laura Robitzek singled to left. Erica Dorso scored easily from third. Elisha Dorso tried to score from second but quickly learned not to test Ford’s arm.

“Our outfield, that’s one of their strengths,” said Poland coach Susan Robbins. “It’s an all senior outfield. They’ve been known to throw anybody out. Anyone of them has the arm to get to home at any given time. That outfield has been together for four years.”

The Saints managed just five hits against Kelli O’Connor, two each by Emily Goss and Sarah Caron. St. Dom’s left the bases loaded in the second and had runners at second and third in the fourth before O’Connor escaped the jam. Robitzek was stranded at second in the fifth when O’Connor finished off a Caron hit back to the mound.

“She’s definitely matured,” said Robbins of her sophomore pitcher. “She’s peaking at the right time. You can definitely see a change in her the past couple weeks. She’s really stepped it up and kicked her game up a notch. When she steps on the mound, she’s really in charge.”

The Knights took the 1-0 lead in the first inning off starter Amanda Collette. Cortney Clark, who led Poland with three of its six hits, scored on a Katie Simpson two-out single. Then in the third, Clark scored again on an error on a Darnell grounder.

“I almost cried I was so happy,” said Darnell about the win. “It’s an amazing way to end it. Last year was a little bit disappointing, but we came back. It’s kind of like our sophomore year.”