Mother Nature was about the only thing that could stop the Valley Storm 12U softball team this weekend.
The Storm went 3-0 overall at the USA Softball State Tournament in Tewksbury, but heavy rain on Sunday forced the postponement of the event with the team playing the Salisbury Rage in the quarterfinal round.
The team went 2-0 on Saturday, beginning play with a 7-6 win over the Central Mass. VooDoo. Anna Bucala hit a two-run, walk-off single to right field with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to give her team an opening victory.
Madison Liimatainen had three hits and an RBI, while Lucia Doulette and Margarette Howland each had a hit and an RBI. MacKenzie Paulin, Ashley Taylor, Kylee Gamache and Skylei Lapan all had a hit, and Paulin went the distance in the circle and struck out four for the win.
In their second game on Saturday, the Storm defeated the Tewksbury Redmen-Costello, 9-4. Taylor had three hits, Howland had two hits and an RBI, Sofia Holden and Maggie Fay each had a hit and two RBIs, Paulin had a hit and an RBI, Liimatainen had a hit, and Bucala had an RBI. Paulin started and struck out four for the win and Holden struck out two in relief.
On Sunday, the Storm picked up a 9-1 victory over the NE Force. Holden went the distance, striking out five for the win. Offensively, Bucala had three hits and an RBI, Liimatainen had a double, triple, and an RBI, Paulin had two hits and an RBI, Holden had a triple and an RBI, and Taylor and Fay each had a hit and an RBI.
Against Salisbury, the game was halted due to rain with the game scoreless in the third inning.
18U
The Valley Storm 18U team went 2-2 in the Elite Showdown played in East Hartford, Conn. over the weekend.
The Storm, which played outstanding defense throughout the event, received a combined 19 strikeouts by pitcher Courtney Dunham who threw all four games.
The offensive contributors were Rachel Rooney (two hits, three RBIs), Kat Hioe (two triples, double, two RBIs), Meagan Healy (three hits), Emily Labonte (two hits, three RBIs), Dunham (four hits, double, RBI), Mandy Fuller (three hits, RBI), Brandi Worcester (hit) and Michelle McDermott (RBI).
GTA Meet & Greet Mixer
The Greenfield Tennis Association (GTA) is holding a free, “meet & greet” style doubles tennis outing on July 13 at the Beacon Field courts beginning at 9 a.m.
The purpose is to have fun and meet and play tennis with friends and players, old and new, on Greenfield’s treasured red clay courts. Men, women, young and old are all welcome to play. Stay as long as you want. Please bring playable tennis balls. Snacks will be provided. If you’d like to attend, please contact Brian at bclamore@gmail.com.
F.C. Hoop Clinic
The 2019 Franklin County Hoop Clinic will offer two different weeks this summer. Week 1 is from July 15 through 19 and Week 2 runs July 22-26 at Greenfield High School.
The clinic will run daily from 8:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. and is open to boys and girls ages 6 through 14. Cost is $150 per participant and includes breakfast and lunch.
The clinic, which will be limited to the first 60 participants, will be run by Greenfield boys’ varsity basketball coach Angelo Thomas and Greenfield girls’ varsity basketball coach John Hickey.
For more information, contact Thomas at 824-6679 or Hickey at 522-7042.
Montague Mug Race
Registration is underway for the 39th annual Montague Mug Race, set for Aug. 17 at the Village Common.
The 5.5-mile race blasts off at 8:30 a.m. Pewter Mugs are awarded to top male/female finishers and coffee mugs to top finishers of each division. T-shirts are given to the first 90 runners.
Now in its 15th year, the Mini Mug Race will kick off at 8:35. This 2-mile course is a great scenic route around the Old South Cemetery. Both races will finish at the ball field. All runners are entered into drawing for local prizes. The course is well marked with plenty of water stops and features a few challenging hills with a run along the Connecticut River.
Registration forms are located at the YMCA, Body Shoppe, Montague Post Office and Park/Rec. Runners may also register by using runreg.com. Find us on the web: montaguemugrace.com. Proceeds benefit Montague Old Home Days and the Fire Association. For more info contact Ann Fisk 367-2812 or shollow25@comcast.net
F.C. Clinic
Registrations are now being accepted for the Franklin County Field Hockey Clinic, which will take place July 15-19 at Greenfield High School.
The clinic is run by GHS coach Erin Thayer as well as high school players from her team. It is open to students entering grades 3 through 7.
The clinic runs each day from 9 a.m. until noon and costs $150. Players can purchase an equipment package (which includes stick, ball, mouth guard and shin guard) for an additional $60. The clinic will focus on stretching and footwork drills, fundamental skills, and offensive and defensive skills as well as small games and 7 vs. 7 scrimmages. To register or for more information contact Thayer (Esuchanek@aol.com).