MIAA softball: Franklin Tech’s run ends with loss to Maynard in Div. 5 Round of 8

MAYNARD — The postseason run of the Franklin Tech softball team met its demise, as the No. 12 Eagles lost, 4-1, to No. 4 Maynard in the Division 5 state tournament Round of 8 on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles battled back from a 1-9 record to win a Class C Western Mass championship before winning twice in the state tournament. Franklin Tech was the last Franklin County team remaining in tournament play.

“They are a special group,” Franklin Tech Joe Gamache said. “They faced a lot of adversity. That’s what we talked about after the game…nobody gave us a shot to be here. To be honest, I didn’t think we’d be here. But it’s a life lesson. You face adversity and you stare it in the face. They had two options and they didn’t quit.”

The Tigers (16-4) advance to play to the Final Four, where they will play No. 9 Lenox. Maynard pitcher Maddy Karlan had 15 strikeouts. The sophomore gave up six hits with three walks.

“She was solid,” Gamache said of Karlan. “We struggled with our timing and with some of the movement that she had. It was deceitful. We had a good scouting report on her coming in, she’s been a strikeout pitcher all year. She’s held some pretty solid hitting teams at bay. They are going to be a tough out.”

Lindsey Taylor had her way with Karlan, going 2-for-3 with a single and a solo home run in the top of the third. Taylor is one of six seniors who played their final game for the Franklin Tech softball program.

“Really we just stuck together as a team,” Taylor said. “We never got upset with each other or let each other down. We always tried to pick each other back up and stick together as a team and a family. It’s been great ever since freshman year. Our team has always stuck together. We’ve never, well maybe a few times, never fallen apart as a team. We try to stick together and hang out outside of school and bus rides here. Make the most of everything.”

Skylei Lapan, Samantha Duncan, Lyla Mickiewicz, Alison George and Breanna Kempf all played their final game for the Eagles.

“There was great team chemistry,” Gamache said. “They get a long really well. Really proud of them. They have made their mark on the school and the program and on me. The seniors will go on do great things. The hope is that the returning kids don’t throw their gloves in the closest and pull it back out in February.”

Brayleigh Burgh took the loss in the circle, giving up seven hits with seven strikeouts and a walk. Maynard took the lead in the first inning. Ryleigh Raschi opened the game with a single. A sacrifice fly by Karlon eventually brought her home for the game’s first run. Taylor tied the game in the third, sending her solo shot to left field.

Abigail Karlon gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the sixth with an RBI double. Elizabeth Schmidt opened the inning with a double. Maynard scored two more runs on an error to add some insurance.

Down to their last three outs facing a 4-1 deficit, the Eagles managed to load the bases after a hit by Burgh and two walks from George and Charley Knight. Karlon forced a pop out to end the game for the Tigers.

Sofia Melnik had a double and a single for the Eagles