HUNTINGTON – The Gateway Regional High School softball team conducted a history lesson for its nine-year head coach Mike Mason.
Gateway produced an all-around solid effort to earn a 5-3 victory over visiting Monson Friday, its first against the Mustangs in more than a decade. The Gators schooled the opposition with solid bats, fine pitching, and exemplary defense.
“This is a huge win for us,” coach Mason said. “Brooke (Fairman) was great on the mound. …We had hit after hit after hit, and we played team defense.”
Gateway rallied from an early 2-0 deficit with consecutive singles in the bottom of the first inning from Becca Wolfe, Fairman, Arielle Baillargeon, Bri Bruno, and Becca Williams, whose hit resulted in two runs scored.
Monson cut Gateway’s lead in half in the second inning, but the Gators tacked on an insurance run. Kendall Rooney hit a booming double and scored on a throwing error in the sixth.
Rooney also made two sensational diving catches in the outfield.
Fairman scattered seven hits and struck out three batters.
“They earned their first win of the season,” said Mason, whose team is now 6-3 overall. “It was a stellar performance by the whole team.”
Monson fell to 6-3 overall.
