TURNERS FALLS — The Franklin Tech softball team could not overcome several defensive lapses in a 14-1 loss to Blackstone Valley Regional on Tuesday afternoon.
The visiting Beavers scored five runs in the second inning to take a commanding early lead. Blackstone Valley pounded out 17 hits and took advantage of five errors by Franklin Tech.
“There’s only one place to point,” Franklin Tech coach Joe Gamache said. “Coaching. I have to do a better job. But they are working hard. They are putting in the work. We got some young kids that are doing some good things.”
Lyla Mickiewicz of Franklin Tech delivers a pitch against Blackstone Valley Regional, Tuesday in Turrners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Brayleigh Burgh of Franklin Tech doubles in the third inning against Blackstone Valley Regional, Tuesday in Turners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Brayleigh Burgh of the Franklin Tech softball team takes a look after getting to third base against Blackstone Valley, Tuesday in Turners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Lindsey Taylor of Franklin Tech makes contact against Blackstone Valley Regional, Tuesday in Turners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
The Franklin Tech bench watches the action in the seventh inning against Blackstone Valley Regional, Tuesday in Turners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
Franklin Tech (1-7) scored the one run in the bottom of the third inning. Brayleigh Burgh doubled to get in scoring position before an RBI single by Sandra Johnson. Lyla Mickiewicz got the start in the circle for the Eagles. The senior gave up six earned runs, 16 hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Mickiewicz added a single at the plate for Franklin Tech.
As the Eagles turn their attention to the second half of the schedule, there are hopes for improvement as they see teams for a second time. Franklin Tech is winless in Franklin East play.
“We kind of set a bar,” Gamache said. “Hopefully now we see some improvement. The only team we haven’t see yet is Hopkins because that game got moved. We’ll see them on Friday. But other than that we have yet to win a league game, so the measuring stick is there. We know what happened the first time. The hope is the second time around we will have a different outcome.”
The independent contest with the visitors from Upton came as part of a two-year agreement. The Eagles traveled to Worcester County last season to play the Beavers. Both teams fed each other after each contest during April break. The two teams enjoyed sandwiches, drinks, chips and a dessert platter under the sun. Franklin Tech won last year’s contest, 5-0.
“They treated us to lunch so we did the same for them,” Gamache said. “They have a long ride.”
The Beavers starter, Brooke Gniadek, had a dominant afternoon in the circle. Gniadek struck out 13 hitters in seven innings with four walks. Elleigh MacNeil, Ella Foster and Emma Deverix each had two RBI for Blackstone Valley.
Gniadek recently committed to play Division 1 softball at the University of New Haven. She committed to play with the Chargers in early March.
Pioneer 7, Mohawk 4 — The Panthers completed a series sweep of the Warriors in Buckland in a Valley Wheel contest. Jaelyn Boliski pitched into the fourth inning for Pioneer (4-4, 4-1 Valley Wheel), striking out one with five walks. Lucianne Burnap and Jacobia Tyminski pitched in relief. Grace Stevens got the start for Mohawk (4-4, 2-3 Valley Wheel). Stevens gave up seven hits and two earned runs with 13 strikeouts.
Laylah Goulston, Abigail Fortier and Maggie Tsipenyuk each had a hit and an RBI for the Panthers. Juniper Totino and Stevens both knocked in a run for the Warriors. Addie Loomis and Sadie Wilcox each went 3-for-4 at the plate. Loomis added two stolen bases. Aurora Moynihan helped out on offense for Mohawk, going 2-for-4.
