Cote, Rams Shut Out Hornets
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The McCann Tech softball team looked to be turning the corner in a 5-3 loss to Holyoke Catholic on Monday. The Hornets' offensive struggles returned on Wednesday, however, resulting in McCann's first shutout loss of the year in a 5-0 home defeat to Granby.Rams' starter Tessa Cote held the hosts to just two hits in a complete-game effort, striking out three and walking two to earn the win. Seniors Erika Ziemba and Brittany Briggs managed just two singles for the Hornets (1-10), who fell behind courtesy of the Rams' five-run third inning. Cote started things off with a one-out line drive to left field that glanced off the glove of senior Jamie LeTourneau. Three hits and two errors later, and Granby had more than enough of a lead with Cote dealing from the circle.
"Once again, we faced an outstanding pitcher," McCann head coach Robin Finnegan said. "We actually put a bat on the ball but, unfortunately, it was without authority. One bad inning did us in, and Granby took advantage of three errors and a couple of base hits. We made some good defensive plays throughout the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome our previous errors in the third inning."
Other than the tough third inning, Ziemba was very solid on the mound. She pitched six scoreless frames, giving up two earned runs on seven hits to take the loss. She struck out four batters but allowed five walks in the game.
The Hornets next play at Central at 4 p.m. on Friday.