It’s no secret what the Turners Falls softball team needs to continue its dominant ways this season. The 12-time state champions have a significant hole in the circle.
With Madi Liimatainen pitching at Saint Michael’s College, the Thunder had a question mark at pitcher. But the Thunder seem to have their answer. Freshman Autumn Thornton is prepared for the challenge as she grinds through indoor practices.
“I’m nervous, but I think I got it if I keep pushing myself,” Thornton said. “I know I have a good team behind me. ..I’ve been practicing and I think I got it if I have confidence in myself.”
Early in the season, Thornton will use her arsenal of pitches to find weak contact and let her defense help her get outs. As the season progresses and she finds her way, maybe the strikeouts start to mount. Thornton spent years preparing for her moment.
“I don’t strike out a lot of people because I am only in ninth grade and I am not that fast,” Thornton said. “But I am excited. I was chosen to do this. I have to show what I have. It’s my big opportunity to help our team win another states.”
Gary Mullins enters his 47th year coaching the Thunder. His record stands at 804-174 with 12 state championships and 25 Western Mass. titles on his decorated resume. Thornton’s work ethic impressed Mullins during the offseason.
“The rookie is a little fighter,” Mullins said of Thornton. “She’s got a great spirit. She’s working hard. She’s put in more time than most pitchers so far that I’ve worked with. She’s a worker and wants to be a good pitcher and that’s exciting.”
The Thunder did lose some important players from last year, but there’s no rebuilding for the team. Graduating seniors left holes at centerfield and catcher for Turners Falls.
“At Turners, we can’t be average,” Mullins said. “It’s not acceptable.”
The Thunder do return a nice core of players who have state tournament experience. Janelle Massey and Madisyn Dietz are the only seniors on the team. Massey will play first while Dietz’s role will be in the outfield. Ivy Lopez is a returning outfielder. Ameilya Galbraith is the starting shortstop.
“I have eight or nine kids who are state champions,” Mullins said. “They’ve played in some big games…They’ve been through it. I don’t think playing in a big game is going to freak them out. We have that kind of game experience.”
Massey swings a powerful stick for the Thunder offense. The senior has some home run power and will find herself in a position to carry the offense this season. It’s not just big swings that help Massey in her approach at the plate.
“I think I have a very good grasp of my own strike zone,” Massey said. “If I stay within pitches that are strikes I get good contact on them. Good distance on them.”
Even with a roster full of younger players, Turners Falls has the experience and talent to continue its winning way. Massey’s savvy and knowledge of local pitchers and their tendencies can only help her teammates. The Thunder did lose major contributors at key positions.
“I don’t think that will make us a bad team,” Massey said. “I know people have talked about it. We have new pitcher, a new catcher and a new centerfielder that are all experienced at the position and good at what they do. It boosts our team to keep going. Just because it’s new people it doesn’t change our team. Hopefully we are going for a three-peat state championship. If not, I know we will have a good season together as a team.”
Turners Falls has a scrimmage against Keene High School at home on March 25. The Thunder begin their season against Frontier Regional at home on March 27 at 5:30 p.m.