The Southwick-Tolland Regional High School softball team was not worried about the opposing pitcher, a battering offense, or a stalwart defense. The Lady Rams, who have dubbed themselves, “Landsharks,” for the 2012 season, were afraid of – the rain.
Several Southwick players agreed yesterday after their 4-2 win over visiting Renaissance that the only thing they wanted to avoid was the rain, or more specifically, a rainout.
“We didn’t want it to rain – ‘Landsharks’ don’t want it to rain,” said senior first baseman Sarah Crosby, who along with senior left fielder Kendra Bowe, is attempting to provide leadership as the lone upperclassmen.
“We want to go all the way this year,” she added. “We don’t just want to make tournament this season. We want to be Western Mass. champs.”
The upbeat attitude appeared to rub off on one young Ram – at least on Wednesday – as freshman designated hitter Sarah Bodzinski racked up a pair of run-scoring hits. Bodzinski blasted an RBI double in the bottom of the third inning to give Southwick a 3-0 lead, and tacked on an insurance run in the fifth to make it 4-1. Wilcox, who scored on Bodzinski’s third-inning hit, reached on a two-run triple.
“We’re a well-oiled machine,” Wilcox said. “Our defense is very strong.”
Southwick pitcher Jordan Wiley earned the win on the mound. Wiley recorded four strikeouts, while avoiding a big offensive from Renaissance.
The Lady Rams improved to 5-3.
Westfield Voc-Tech 20, Smith Voke 19
Monica Iglesias and Cassie Iglesias each made big catches in the outfield to preserve the victory for Voc-Tech in a wild-and-crazy contest.
Voc-Tech led 10-3 before Smith Voke rallied for 14 runs, all in the fifth inning, courtesy of walks and errors.
“I didn’t even know when we would get out of that inning,” Voc-Tech coach Kyle Dulude said.
In just one inning, Voc-Tech had gone from seven runs up, to seven down, and trailed 17-10. But the Lady Tigers responded with a 6-run, sixth inning and tacked on four more runs in the seventh.
“We showed grit and determination,” coach Dulude said. “It was one crazy thriller of a game.”
Alyssa Bonk led the Voc-Tech offense with a home run, triple, and single. Monica Iglesias and Felicia Ortona had three hits apiece.
Westfield 13, Chicopee 2
It was a tight-nit contest throughout, until Westfield’s trademark offense exploded for nine runs in the seventh inning to pull away.
Sarah McNerney kept Chicopee off balance, scattering seven hits, allowing two runs (one earned), and striking out five batters. She walked none.
Jules Sharon (4-for-5), Maddy Atkociatis (2-4, 2 RBIs), Heather White (3-4, 3 RBIs), Liz Gale (2-4, 2 RBIs), Kaitlyn Puza (2-5, RBI), and Jessie Pratt (3-4, RBI) all enjoyed multi-hit games for Westfield (10-0), which has already punched its tournament card.
JV RESULTS: The Lady Bombers’ JV squad shut out Chicopee 15-0 to remain unbeaten (10-0). Lexi Minicucci went 4-for-4 with a home run, and threw a one-hitter on the mound with eight strikeouts.
Vic Camp had four hits for Westfield. Bombers’ Abby Hart (2 doubles) and Taylor St. Jacques each went 3-for-4, and Becca Sullivan added a pair of hits, including a double.
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HS BASEBALL
