Girard Leads Hoosac Valley Softball into Quarters

ADAMS, Mass. -- Erin Girard went 4-for-4 with three RBIs to lead the Hoosac Valley softball team to a 13-1 win over Franklin Tech in the first round of the Western Massachusetts Division 3 tournament.

 

Gabby Vincent and Abby Jamros each drove in two runs for the Hurricanes, who scored six runs in the fifth inning to bring the game to an early end via the "mercy" rule.

 

No. 13-seed Franklin Tech (13-8) committed six errors behind Rachel Shearer, who was tagged with seven unearned runs in the loss.

 

Kali Puppolo went the distance for Hoosac, striking out 10 and allowing two hits, no walks and just an unearned run.

 

"Kali pitched a wonderful game, working the strike zone, fooling batters with different pitches, really taking command," Hoosac coach Morgan Shafer said. "Erin Girard also had a great game going 4-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs also throwing out one of the Franklin runners in the fifth inning trying to steal."

 

Fourth-seeded Hoosac (13-6) set the tone early with a five-run first inning.

 

Kass Kazimierczak got things started with a bunt single, and Hannah Stansfield and Puppolo drew walks to load the bases. Girard then drove in two runs with a single to start the scoring. Carrington McGrath and Jamros also drove in runs during the first.

 

Hoosac awaits the winner of Friday's first-round game between No. 12 Smith Academy (9-9) and No. 5 Pathfinder (18-2). The winner visits Russell Field on Saturday at 4.