HV Slams Monument For Fifth Straight Win
ADAMS, Mass. — Things looked pretty bleak when the Hoosac Valley softball team started the season off at 0-6. The Hurricanes kept plugging along, however, and eventually pulled themselves back to the .500 mark on Friday with a 13-1 mercy-rule win over Monument Mountain.Morgan Shafers' club has been the hottest team in the county since that unfortunate start, winning its last five games and seven out of the last eight to even its record at 7-7. The Hurricanes now look to be in prime position for a playoff spot with six games remaining.
Hoosac won Friday's game thanks to a solid start from junior pitcher Ashley Ciepiela and a 10-run outburst over the fourth and fifth innings that ended the game two frames early due to the mercy rule. Ciepiela (1-3) picked up her first win of the season, allowing one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts and zero walks.
The Spartans (1-11) got their run in the top of the first inning, using a single by Angela Russell, a passed ball and a Hurricanes' throwing error to get on the scoreboard. That lead didn't last long, however, as junior shortstop Tori Rumbolt answered with a two-run home run to left field in Hoosac's half of the inning.
The hosts added another run in the second when Kassandra Kazimierczak walked, stole two bases and scored on a passed ball. The 'Canes then finished Monument off early, scoring five runs each in both the fourth and fifth innings. Rumbolt had a big day on offense, collected two RBIs, stealing four bases and scoring three runs. Ciepiela and sophomore Jocelyn Duhamel also helped out by driving in two runs apiece.
"A lot of our batters had great days today, but Ashley and Jocelyn especially came through with some key RBIs," Shafer said. "Ashley also got her first win of the season and did a great job on the mound for us. She really worked all of her pitches, but her drop seemed to be working well against the Monument hitters."
Aspen Sawyer took the loss for the Spartans, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and eight walks.
Hoosac next plays at Lenox at 4 p.m. on Monday.