Drury Loses to Agawam, Limps into Playoffs
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The Drury softball team saved some of its stiffest competition for the end of the season. It hurt their record, but the Blue Devils hope it only improves their chances in the upcoming Western Mass. tournament.
Mary Ann Maroni's squad gave up seven runs over the first two innings of the game on its way to a 7-4 home loss to Agawam on Friday. With the loss, Drury (12-8) closed out the season by dropping four out its last five games.
The Brownies jumped on the board quickly, getting a leadoff home run on the very first pitch thrown by Drury starter Cat Record. Agawam (16-4) then kept it going in the second inning, scoring six runs on six hits and two walks.
Record settled in after that, however, holding one of the top Division 1 teams in Western Mass. scoreless over the next five frames. The Blue Devils responded by scoring two runs in the third inning on an RBI groundout by senior catcher Kait Moresi and an RBI single by junior Olivia Koperek. Record then helped herself in the fourth, roping a two-run double to cut the Brownies' lead down to 7-4.
"It could have been devastating for many pitchers to give up a home run on the first pitch, but for Cat, in her first varsity season, this was a wake-up call to bear down and get the job done," Maroni said. "She then retired the next three batters in order and although Agawam was able to collect six more hits, we held them scoreless from the third inning on."
Mary Ann Maroni's squad gave up seven runs over the first two innings of the game on its way to a 7-4 home loss to Agawam on Friday. With the loss, Drury (12-8) closed out the season by dropping four out its last five games.
The Brownies jumped on the board quickly, getting a leadoff home run on the very first pitch thrown by Drury starter Cat Record. Agawam (16-4) then kept it going in the second inning, scoring six runs on six hits and two walks.
Record settled in after that, however, holding one of the top Division 1 teams in Western Mass. scoreless over the next five frames. The Blue Devils responded by scoring two runs in the third inning on an RBI groundout by senior catcher Kait Moresi and an RBI single by junior Olivia Koperek. Record then helped herself in the fourth, roping a two-run double to cut the Brownies' lead down to 7-4.
"It could have been devastating for many pitchers to give up a home run on the first pitch, but for Cat, in her first varsity season, this was a wake-up call to bear down and get the job done," Maroni said. "She then retired the next three batters in order and although Agawam was able to collect six more hits, we held them scoreless from the third inning on."
"Although this was a loss in the score book, it was a psychological win for the Drury girls, who were able to stay with a quality Division 1 team and even knock their starting pitcher out in the fourth inning."
The Blue Devils collected six hits on the day, led by Record and sophomore Ali Tatro. Record went 2 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored, while Tatro added a pair of hits and scored a pair of runs.
Record went the distance in the circle, giving up 13 hits and three walks while striking out three as her season record fell to 11-7.