Matos, a longtime receiver for St. Ava Pearson sent the Rams to the finals on a shutout that scored the sophomore Olivia Rydzy.
Knott struck out 10 for Darien and struck out 20 batters. Stanford’s new lineup allowed just three hits. Claire Willing scored the 11th and 12th for the Blue Wave and added three hits, bringing the game’s total to 52.
How to watch
Class LL final
Teams: Cheshire v. Southington
Date: Saturday, June 13
Location: Burrill Family Field | University of Connecticut
Time: 10 a.m. ET
Transmission: NFHS Network
It was a pitcher’s duel all afternoon as Matos and Knott combined for 11 hits in the bottom of the fifth.
Matos, who allowed two hits on the day, struck out the arm in four different innings while Knott did the same.
Cheshire (24-0) will play Southington at the University of Connecticut on Saturday in the state final. Last season Cheshire defeated Southington in the state semifinals before winning the state crown later in the week.
Matos has been on a hot streak all season with a 24-0 record, 0.11 ERA and 429 strikeouts. She didn’t allow an earned run in her first 19 games, a span of 113 innings. Matos also topped 1,000 career strikeouts this season.
The state semifinal was her 15th game with at least 16 hits this season.
Knott finished her junior season with a 14-2 record, 0.29 ERA and 281 strikeouts.
