BUCKLAND — The runs came at a rapid pace for the Mohawk Trail softball team during its MIAA Division 5 preliminary round matchup against TechBoston Academy on Friday.
The No. 25 Warriors put three runs on the board in the first inning and exploded for seven runs in the second to take a commanding 10-0 lead.
With the runs flowing, Riley Giard did her job in the circle to hold the No. 40 Bears down, tossing a five-inning no hitter and striking out 10 along the way as Mohawk Trail cruised into the Round of 32 with a 15-1 victory.
The Warriors will travel to North Adams to face No. 8 Drury in the Round of 32 on Sunday at 11 a.m.
“This is the first time we’ve gone to states so I’m thrilled to pieces,” Warriors coach Sherri Lannon said. “It was great to see them rise to the occasion. I’m very proud of them.”
Giard said she didn’t realize she had a no-hitter going, and was instead focusing on the task at hand. The junior was just happy to get the win, and she said Mohawk Trail (11-10) is finding its rhythm at the right time of year.
“I didn’t even know I had the no-hitter going,” Giard said. “It’s amazing. It’s great to win this game. I was kind of worried based on how we played the last couple games but I feel like we’re back in our groove now.”
Lannon said she’s seen Giard grow during her five years working together, getting to see her development through the years while noting how she has always put the team first over individual accolades.
“She’s come a long way,” Lannon said. “I’ve coached her since she was in seventh grade. She’s done a complete 180. She’s a joy to be around on and off the field. She’s a great team player and loves to support every one of her teammates. It’s not about what she’s done , it’s about what everyone on the team has done to help her. I have a great team and I’m happy with them.”
Walks and errors did TechBoston in during the first inning. Aileen Moffatt and Rachel Pease got on with back-to-back walks to open the frame, with Moffatt scampering home on a passed ball to give the Warriors the early lead.
Addie Loomis then cracked a fly ball to left field that was dropped, allowing Pease to score. Loomis took second on the play, stole third and made it home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Maddie Cosentino that put Mohawk Trail ahead, 3-0, after one.
It was the same story in the second. Kaylin Sumner got on with a walk, stole second and moved to third on an Aileen Moffatt bunt. Sumner scored on a passed ball while Moffatt stole second, third and came home to give the Warriors a 5-0 lead. Pease and Loomis got on with walks and both stole their way around the bases to put two more runs on the scoreboard.
Sophia Goodnow walked, stole second and third and made it home on a Giard groundout. Cosentino reached on a single and stole her way around the bases while Abi Dobias walked and eventually came around to give Mohawk Trail a 10-0 lead after two.
Pease added to the lead in the third, smacking the ball to right field and using her speed to make it around the base path to score and make it an 11-0 game going into the fourth.
The Bears scored on a passed ball in the top of the fourth for their only run of the game.
Cosentino and Dobias singled in the bottom of the fourth for the Warriors and Aileen Moffatt put down her second bunt of the game to load the bases for Pease. Pease blasted a hit to deep left field, clearing the bases while she once again used her speed to beat the throw home and give Mohawk Trail a 15-1 lead.
“The girls can put it where they need to and they know the situation,” Lannon said. “They always know what is expected of them at the plate.”
The Warriors now turn their attention to the Blue Devils, which went 15-5 on the season to earn the No. 8 seed in the Div. 5 field. While the two schools are only 30 minutes apart, they did not play during the regular season, with neither team knowing much about the other heading in.
“We haven’t played them,” Lannon said. “We know they’re the eight seed so we’ll just go out there and give it all we have.”