McCann Plays Tough in One-Run Loss to Everett
SHEFFIELD, Mass. -- Sometimes the best games of the year come in defeat.That's how McCann Tech softball coach Robin Finnegan felt after her Hornets lost 3-2 to Mount Everett on Thursday. The Eagles' Claire Tomich won the game with a hard-hit single down the third-base line in the bottom of the seventh inning, but McCann (8-5) hung tough all game, scoring single runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to erase a 2-0 deficit.
"What a game," Finnegan said. "Unfortunately we came out on the losing end, but I am so proud of these girls and the way they stepped up against a dominating pitcher. The girls do not realize yet the value of this game even though we didn't get the win. It has shown them that they can compete with anyone and, hopefully, will give them the confidence they need to advance to the tournament.
"The girls were upset and disappointed but like I said the moral victory that we took from this game was huge."
Down 2-0 entering the top of the fifth inning, the Hornets rallied to tie the game on RBI singles by senior Katlyn Haring and junior Ashley Alibozek. Mount Everett (8-5) started things off in the seventh when Alex Hoover reached on an error. Haley Flynn then followed with a single to put two runners on before Haring, who took the loss in the circle, buckled down to get the next two outs. Tomich came up big, however, getting the one hit her team needed to earn the victory.
Haring pitched an excellent game in defeat, striking out six while allowing two earned runs on eight hits without a base on balls in a complete-game performance.. Eagles' starter Alicia Bazonski was even better, going the distance and striking out 13 McCann batters without giving up an earned run in the game.
Senior Amanda Carridi led the Hornets' offense by going 2 for 3 with a run scored. McCann next plays at Southwick at 4 p.m. on Friday.