Everyone expected Turners Falls High School to be here.
Hoosac Valley High School? Not so much.
However, an upset of top-seeded and previously unbeaten Monson High School has the fourth-seeded Hurricanes (14-7) on the verge of pulling off one of the bigger upsets in Western Mass. Softball history, as they try to knock off the perennial power Indians today in the Division III final.
First pitch at UMass’ Sortino Field is scheduled for noon.
Hoosac now has to face the two-time defending champion and second-seeded Indians (21-1), who possess the best player, best pitcher and arguably the deepest bench in the tournament.
But don’t expect this championship tilt to be anything like the Indians’ 13-0 destruction of Monson one year ago.
Anybody who witnessed Thursday’s Hoosac-Monson semifinal knew after a few innings that the Hurricanes had the better pitcher in Kali Puppolo. The sophomore right-hander threw harder (consistently in the 54-55 mph range) and had tremendous movement on her curveball, which she threw regularly and with great consistency.
That could pose some unexpected problems for the Indians, who haven’t exactly ripped the cover off the ball this postseason — they’ve managed just five runs and 12 hits (two of them doubles), and no player has gotten more than one hit in a game. Their best hitter thus far has been junior catcher Gabby Arzuaga, who has a single, double and three RBI in five at-bats.
Turners also got senior second baseman Jenna Putala back in the starting lineup after she was limited to pinch-hitting duty against Pioneer. Her presence at the plate should give Turners an emotional lift.
On the flip side, they’ve been making solid contact and have shown patience at the plate, having struck out only six times as a team and drawn five walks.
Interestingly, Turners has won both games even though its opponents have played errorless ball. The Indians have made three errors, which normally could spell disaster in close games like the Indians have played.
But solid pitching can be a great equalizer, and Turners senior right-hander pitcher Mackenzie Phillips has done a stellar job of coming through in the big situations.
Phillips has allowed just nine hits, one walk and two runs (one earned) while striking out 24 in her 14 innings of work. She’s also helped her own cause with two hits and one RBI.
Puppolo has been just as good in the circle during the playoffs, recording 32 strikeouts and surrendering only six hits, two walks and two runs. She’s also good with the stick, as her .391 average from the No. 2 spot attests.
Leadoff hitter Alyssa Pause can cause problems with her speed and ability to find the gaps (she tripled vs. Monson) and Abby Jamros has the ability to swing for the fence and get extra-base hits, but sixth hitter Logan Stansfield has given the Hurricanes extra pop in the middle of the order. She was 3-for-4 vs. Monson.
Today’s winner advances to Tuesday’s 3 p.m. state semifinal at Worcester State College’s Rockwood Field against the Central Mass. champion. Uxbridge faces Tahanto in that final today at 1 p.m. at Rockwood Field.