Ciepiela Helps HV Reverse the Score Against Lee
ADAMS, Mass. -- Sophomore Ashley Ciepiela ended up being the slight edge the Hoosac Valley softball team didn't have against Lee on Friday.Last week, the Hurricanes dropped an 10-9 decision to the Wildcats. The two teams quickly met for a rematch on Monday, and Ciepiela made all the difference in Hoosac's 8-7 victory at home. Ciepiela helped the 'Canes on both sides of the ball, going 3 for 3 with a home run, two triples and five RBI from the plate while also allowing one unearned run in just under four innings of relief from the pitching circle.
The Wildcats (5-10) jumped out to a 6-3 lead on Hoosac starter Katelynn Iacuessa before Ciepiela came in and shut Lee down over the next three innings. She ended up striking out one batter and walking another over three and two-thirds innings of work to improve her season record to 3-0.
"Kate did a great job, but our defense made a few errors behind her, allowing Lee to score five runs," Hurricanes head coach Morgan Shafer said. "I put in Ashley to try and change the tone of the game. She did a great job, holding them to only one run, which they scored in the seventh."
Iacuessa was hurt by five Hoosac errors, allowing the Wildcats to score five unanswered runs off of her through the first three innings. Ciepiela got her team back into the game in the third inning, belting a three-run homer to tie the game at six runs apiece. The Hurricanes (11-4) scored another run in the fourth inning before Ciepiela's RBI triple in the fifth frame gave the hosts an 8-6 lead.
Senior Karli Scharde also had a nice day at the plate for Hoosac, going 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI triple in a three-run first inning for the 'Canes. Ashley Raftery took the loss for Lee, while teammate Jackie Loudon led the way on offense with two hits and three runs batted in.
The Hurricanes next host Mount Everett for a 4:15 p.m. game on Tuesday.