Holland's Hit Lifts Greylock over Rutland
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Junior Sierra Holland has been RBI queen for the Mount Greylock softball team all season long. No two runs batted in probably felt as good as the two she drove in on Friday afternoon, however, as Holland sealed a 3-1 victory over Rutland with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning.The Mounties (4-5) were tied with the Raiders at 1-1 heading into the top of sixth inning when sophomore Alexis Bushika came through with a base hit. Junior Michaela DiNicola then advanced her to second with a sacrifice bunt, which actually put runners on second and third thanks to Rutland throwing error. Holland then stepped up and drove the first pitch she saw from Raiders' starter Taylor Kresconko right back up the middle to score both her teammates. Those two RBI pushed Holland into the team lead in that category with 13 on the season.
Bushika then took care of the rest, retiring Rutland in the seventh inning to pick up her fourth win of the season. Friday's game was one of Bushika's best of the season, as she held the Raiders to just one unearned run on two hits while striking out six batters and walking three. Kresconko also performed well, limiting the hosts to only four hits on the day.
"This was an all-around great game," Greylock head coach June Blake said. "Sierra Holland came through when the stage was set for her, and Alexis had a solid performance on the mound."
Junior catcher Catie Benoit gave the Mounties the lead with an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning. Rutland came back to tie the game with a single run in the fifth frame, but it wouldn't be too long before Holland's hit lifted Greylock to victory.
The Mounties next host Wahconah for a 3 p.m. game on Saturday.