Homer-Happy Hinkell Slams Drury Past Taconic
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Some days are just better than others.
Monday is a day Kendra Hinkell will probably remember as one of her better ones. The senior third baseman had a career game at the plate, smashing two home runs and collecting six RBI in the Drury softball team's 9-2 win over Taconic.
Hinkell's first homer came in the bottom of the first inning, a two-run shot off of Braves' starter Sarah Pero that cleared the fence in left-center field. Her second dinger of the day came in a six-run sixth inning that helped the Blue Devils (11-4) put Taconic away for good. Up 3-1 to start the sixth, Mary Ann Maroni's club scored three times before Hinkell hit a three-run bomb over the fence in center field for her team-leading fifth home run of the season. She also leads the team in RBI this season with 25.
"Today was a monster day for Kendra," Maroni said. "In addition to her going 3 for 4 with two home runs and six RBI, she played nearly flawless defense, recording six assists and one putout on the day. Cat [Record], once again, was in command on the mound giving up six hits with five strikeouts and only one walk, and our bats finally came alive in the sixth inning."
Record picked up her 10th win of the season by allowing just one earned run through seven innings of work. Pero, who was relieved by Sam Barbarotta in Drury's sixth-run sixth inning, was charged with the loss.
The Blue Devils scored one run in the fifth inning when Hinkell's bloop single to left field brought home junior Lyndsey DeGrenier, who reached base on an error with two outs. Sophomore Ali Tatro started things off with an RBI double in the sixth inning before later scoring on a single by senior Kait Moresi. The Drury catcher then scored on a passed ball before freshman Jessica Sunn (2 for 4) reached base with a hit and DeGrenier walked to set the table for Hinkell's second long ball of the game.
Tierney Crocker led the Braves offense, going 2 for 4 with a double. Teammate Autumn Leon also finished with a 2 for 4 day at the plate.
The Blue Devils next host Mount Greylock at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night. Monday is a day Kendra Hinkell will probably remember as one of her better ones. The senior third baseman had a career game at the plate, smashing two home runs and collecting six RBI in the Drury softball team's 9-2 win over Taconic.
Hinkell's first homer came in the bottom of the first inning, a two-run shot off of Braves' starter Sarah Pero that cleared the fence in left-center field. Her second dinger of the day came in a six-run sixth inning that helped the Blue Devils (11-4) put Taconic away for good. Up 3-1 to start the sixth, Mary Ann Maroni's club scored three times before Hinkell hit a three-run bomb over the fence in center field for her team-leading fifth home run of the season. She also leads the team in RBI this season with 25.
"Today was a monster day for Kendra," Maroni said. "In addition to her going 3 for 4 with two home runs and six RBI, she played nearly flawless defense, recording six assists and one putout on the day. Cat [Record], once again, was in command on the mound giving up six hits with five strikeouts and only one walk, and our bats finally came alive in the sixth inning."
Record picked up her 10th win of the season by allowing just one earned run through seven innings of work. Pero, who was relieved by Sam Barbarotta in Drury's sixth-run sixth inning, was charged with the loss.
The Blue Devils scored one run in the fifth inning when Hinkell's bloop single to left field brought home junior Lyndsey DeGrenier, who reached base on an error with two outs. Sophomore Ali Tatro started things off with an RBI double in the sixth inning before later scoring on a single by senior Kait Moresi. The Drury catcher then scored on a passed ball before freshman Jessica Sunn (2 for 4) reached base with a hit and DeGrenier walked to set the table for Hinkell's second long ball of the game.
Tierney Crocker led the Braves offense, going 2 for 4 with a double. Teammate Autumn Leon also finished with a 2 for 4 day at the plate.