STAMFORD - The Stamford city softball championship trophy - the Mary Kay Smith Memorial Trophy, sponsored by the North Stamford Exchange Club - can be a powerful source of motivation.

Especially when that trophy hasn't resided in your school's athletic complex for seven years.

So it's safe to say that the Westhill High School softball team was in the mindset to make history yesterday when it travelled to Stamford High to face the Black Knights.

Well, consider mission accomplished as Westhill was in charge from start to finish while posting a 4-0 triumph that secured the city title and the elusive trophy.

"It's been a long time. And it hadn't happened in my four-year tenure," said Westhill coach Tom Pia. "So today was huge. It certainly meant a lot to the girls."

And current Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference runnerup Westhill (12-4, 11-3) displayed an air of importance throughout the afternoon.

The victory was built on equal parts of hunger, aggression and pinpoint control.

Although the Vikings left 11 men on base, they struck for two runs in the first and third innings off Stamford starter Megan Robustelli (6-8) to build a 4-0 cushion.

A Stamford fielding error and Kylee Ruther's RBI single plated the runs in the first.

Another SHS miscue and Hannah Goldstone's RBI groundout brought home the runs in the third.

"The early runs meant so much," Westhill sophomore righthander Jen Joseph said. "Having a lead made me much more confident on the mound."

Joseph was in command from start to finish.

The Stamford offense managed just four hits (all from the 4th inning on), three fly ball outs, one inning when the first batter reached base and struck out six times while drawing no walks.

"Jen was hitting her spots. She started off strike one on a lot of batters," Westhill catcher Lynette Martinez said. "And those few times she missed the strike zone she didn't leave the ball in the middle of home plate."

"I made their hitters put the ball in play," Joseph said. "And my defense (no errors) supported me well."

Although Stamford's defensive shortcomings gave Westhill a fourth or fifth out in every inning except the 1-2-3 sixth frame, Joseph was the ultimate difference maker.

"Joseph was dominant. She busted us inside all day," said Stamford coach Tony Esposito. "Give Westhill credit. They produced timely hits. We made mistakes. We're still learning we ned to play hard from the very first pitch of the game."

Westhill managed seven singles, drew five walks, reached on three errors and stole five bases to force the action at every turn.

"Early in the season, we were waiting for the big hit," Westhill's Pia said. "Now we're about squeezing out and building our runs. We're more patient at the plate. We're taking a lot of pitches and trying not to chase bad pitches."

And it all came together very nicely for Westhill yesterday.

So the Vikings received a just reward for their efforts.

A city title and the Mary Kay Smith softball trophy.

"I've played with a lot of the Stamford girls in various summer leagues. It feels good to beat them," Joseph said. "But it's a greater feeling to be city softball champs."