Hoosac Struggles in WMass. loss to Belchertown
CHESHIRE, Mass. -- It's been a strange year for the Hoosac Valley baseball team. Every time the Hurricanes took two steps forward, it seemed like they would always then take a step back at some point.After beating some of the top teams in Berkshire County this year, No. 7 Hoosac ended the 2011 season by taking another step back, making six errors in a disappointing 5-2 loss to No. 10 Belchertown in first round of the Division 2 Western Massachusetts Baseball Tournament. Despite playing at home, outhitting the Orioles 9-4 and putting eight men in scoring position, Bob Rivard's club could only manage a pair of runs in what is what was an untypically early exit for a Hurricanes' playoff team.
"We didn't make the plays when we needed to, and that was the big difference in the game," Rivard said. "The Belchertown team did make the plays that they needed to."
Hoosac, which finished the year with a record of 12-9, started off well by loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the first inning. The 'Canes were unable to score, however, when a strikeout by junior Slayter Aubin and a groundout by Tanner Bird ended the threat. Despite one blown opportunity, Hoosac was able to take a 1-0 lead in the second when senior Nate Alibozek doubled in junior Corey Meczywor, who also reached base with a doubled in the frame.
The Hurricanes appeared to still be in good shape with starter Mike Koperniak on the mound. The junior pitcher was Rivard's top pitcher this season and shut the Orioles (8-13) out for the first three innings. Things began to unravel in the fourth for Hoosac, however, which allowed the first of its five unearned runs on the day.
Belchertown then tied the game in fifth inning when Mike Foley worked a two-out walk, stole second and third base and then scored when Aubin's throw to third got away from the Hurricanes' Zach Lancia. The Orioles then drove the dagger in with two more unearned runs in top of the sixth, loading the bases on two singles and an error before Koperniak was lifted in favor of reliever Nick Burzimati. The Hoosac closer got the first two out of the inning with ground balls, but Belchertown's James Ryan slapped a ball to second base that handcuffed Bird, resulting in an error and allowing two huge runs to score.
The visitors added another unearned run in the seventh to go up 5-1. The Hurricanes tried to rally in the bottom half of the frame, receiving two doubles by Bird and senior Collin Kilne, but they could manage one run before bowing out for good. Kline finished with two doubles on the day, while senior Zach Larabee went for 2 for 3 in a losing effort. Foley reached base three times and scored two runs for the Orioles, who now advance to Sunday's quarterfinal round game against No. 2 Drury at Joe Wolfe Field.
Hoosac had its chances to play a memorable playoff game against its chief rival, but the defense just couldn't support the pitching of Koperniak, who allowed just four hits in his five innings of work.