High schools: Top-seeded Greenfield softball rolls past Georgetown 13-1, into Div. 5 quarterfinals (PHOTOS)
Published: 06-06-2023 9:04 PM |
Winning in the state tournament isn’t supposed to be easy, but the Greenfield softball team has made it look that way so far.
The top-seeded Green Wave rolled into the MIAA Division 5 quarterfinal round thanks to another run-ruled victory on Tuesday night. The defending state champions won their second state tournament game in a row by double digits, taking down No. 17 Georgetown, 13-1, in a five-inning Round of 16 affair at Vets Field.
Greenfield (18-5) will host the winner of Wednesday’s game between No. 8 Drury and No. 24 Oxford in the quarterfinals. That game is set for Friday at 6 p.m. back at Vets Field. Tickets will only be available online (gofan.co), with no money collected at the gate. Adult tickets cost $11.50 and students/senior citizen tickets are set at $6.50.
“It’s definitely going to get harder each round you go but we’re happy with the pitching we’ve been getting and we’ve also been hitting the ball fairly well,” Greenfield coach John Hickey said. “We’ve been hitting well up and down the lineup. It’s been pretty consistent.”
Greenfield sophomore MacKenzie Paulin struck out 10 in five innings to earn the victory. She allowed just one hit and an unearned run, and didn’t issue a walk.
Georgetown’s Maddie Grant struck out two and walked eight in the circle for the Royals (12-8).
The Green Wave pounded out 11 hits on the night. Amber Bergeron was 2-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs, while Anna Bucala (2-for-4, 2B, RBI), Ainslee Flynn (2-for-2, 2B, 2 RBIs), Paulin (2-for-3) and Ellis Benitez (hit, RBI) also keyed the charge.
Mount Greylock 8, Frontier 4 – A fast start from the second-seeded Mounties propelled them into the Div. 5 quarterfinals.
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Host Mount Greylock scored twice in the first inning and two more times in the second en route to an 8-4 win over No. 15 Frontier in the Round of 16 on Tuesday in Williamstown.
“They’re a well coached team, they play the game really tight and well. Those 2-through-6 batters are tough,” said Frontier coach Gary Deane.
Emma Newberry homered in the first inning to get the Mounties off and running. Trailing 4-0 in the third, Frontier rallied with a pair of runs on a two-run home run from Skyler Steele.
“Skyler Steele’s home run, it’s happened a number of times where we’re shut out and Skyler hits a bomb and everybody figures it out a little bit,” said Deane.
The lead grew to 8-2 into the fifth, and while the Redhawks chipped away with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, Greylock pitcher Kami Sweet sealed the deal with nine strikeouts over seven innings.
Frontier pitcher Ashley Taylor allowing eight hits and eight runs while striking out two. In addition to Steele’s homer, Jazzy Hayes, Gabrielle Adams and Delaney Fifield (RBI) also had a hit apiece for the Redhawks.
West Springfield 3, Frontier 0 – The fifth-seeded Terriers had too much firepower for No. 12 Frontier, as the hosts advanced to the Division 2 quarterfinals with a 25-16, 25-16, 25-18 sweep in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night in West Side.
“Tough night but very proud of the players for their commitment and efforts this season,” Frontier co-coach Sean MacDonald said. “Credit to West Springfield, they played very well and clean, with minimal errors. We’re certainly not happy with the result tonight but feel like we’re moving in the right direction as a program.”
Frontier (19-3) received a team-high seven kills from Jesse Kurkulonis, while Aleks Carey followed with six kills on the night. Setter Tavo Vincent-Warner dished out 15 assists, while the back row defense was propelled by Ngawang Deter with nine digs. Kurkulonis and Jack Carey added six digs apiece for the Western Mass. Class C champion Redhawks.
West Springfield advanced to the quarterfinals and a matchup with either No. 4 Milford or No. 13 Wayland.