Mansfield – They grew up as backyard neighbors.

Only a short walk through the woods separated their two houses.

Alyssa Hancock and Erin Miller remain close.

They’re nearly inseparable as college roommates and softball teammates at Eastern Connecticut State University.

“She’s still my best friend,” Hancock said. “We’re still close as ever, closer maybe.”

The two former Waterford High School standouts helped power Eastern to the program’s fourth Little East Conference tournament title in six years and an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III tournament on Saturday.

In the championship game, Miller pitched a complete game and Hancock contributed two hits, including a tie-breaking home run, and three RBI in a 10-1 win over Western Connecticut at the ECSU Softball Stadium. The top-seeded Warriors (29-6-1) won all four tournament games and allowed only one run.

“It’s amazing,” Miller said. “I wanted to win this so badly.”

Miller, a senior, earned most outstanding player honors after winning three games – two by shutout. She allowed one run and 14 hits in 19 innings while striking out 12 and walking three. She scattered six hits on Saturday.

“She struggled during the season a little bit,” Hancock said. “But she brought everything she had in the tournament. … I'm just so proud of her. If I would want anybody to succeed, it’s her.”

Hancock, a junior shortstop and leadoff hitter, did her part to make sure Eastern and Miller would succeed in the Little East tournament. She went 8-for-13 with three home runs, two doubles, two walks, seven runs scored and seven RBI.

With the score tied at 1-1 in the fifth, Hancock lined a 2-2 pitch to the opposite field and over the right field fence for a two-run home run. It was her third home run in four tournament games after belting four during the regular season.

In her previous at-bat against Western’s Emily Cintorino, Hancock fell to the ground after striking out with an off-balance swing.

“I just grit my teeth and said I’ve got to get this now,” Hancock said of her approach the next time up. “I’ve got to pick my team up and do it for my team. That’s all I was thinking.

“… That definitely felt good and I was surprised it went over (the fence).”

The Warriors broke open the game with a seven-run sixth inning during which they sent 13 batters to the plate. Hancock drove in a run by drawing a bases-loaded walk and Summer Cipriani, a sophomore from Wheeler, bunted for a base hit and walked intentionally. The game ended after six innings because of the mercy rule.

Before the battle turned into a blowout, Miller escaped a few jams, stranding two runners in the first inning and two in the fifth. She limited the damage while giving up a run in the third.

“All season we’ve been working on her mechanics and her mental approach and it just came on,” coach Diana Pepin said. “She was determined to have a good tournament and go out with a bang.

“I’m very happy for her and very proud of her. She’s such a great kid.”

During the tournament, Hancock showed why she’s a Little East player of the year candidate. She entered Saturday’s game batting a league-best .520.

In the sixth inning, Hancock made a sparkling defense play, diving to her left to glove a hard-hit ball and then quickly popping up to gun down the runner.

“She just plays hard every day,” Pepin said. “Whether it’s practice or a game, she leaves it all out there. She has more heart than anyone that I know.

“You had (former Fitch star Arielle) Cooper that came here, she had heart. Anybody from that Waterford/Fitch area, they just play a lot of softball and love it. Alyssa has been great.”

Cooper, an All-American during her Eastern playing days, was on hand to watch her former team win the title. She came on the field to congratulate and hug Hancock and Miller during the post-game celebration.

Now Hancock and Miller, two softball sisters, will continue their careers in the NCAA tournament.

“They’re best friends and it’s just awesome that they can play together,” Pepin said.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe