Lyon, Lewis, Lummus Lift Generals
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- After the Pittsfield High softball team graduated three key contributors to last year’s Western Mass Championship squad, some might have thought the Generals would take a step back.
Luckily for PHS, it had players ready to step up.
Tess Lyon allowed one hit in four innings of work, Szofia Lewis doubled and drove in four runs, and Jordyn Lummus ran down every ball she had to in center field as the the Generals cruised past Mount Greylock, 14-0, in five innings on Tuesday afternoon.
Lyon, Lewis and Lummus -- at pitcher, catcher and center field, respectively -- filled vacancies left by the graduations of Giuliana Pierce, Hayley Tobin and Britney Perkett at those positions.
“We have really big shoes to fill with the three seniors that left last year,” Lewis said. “Tess and I did, and also Jordan in center. But I think Tess and I worked in the off-season a lot together, and we also prepared in the gym when the weather wasn’t that nice. And I think we just had the chance to prepare.
“I’ve been playing with everyone on this team for years, even back to when we were like 10 years old. So I think we’re just really comfortable with each other, and we all know our strengths and our weaknesses. So we all work really well together.”
The Generals wasted no time getting on the scoreboard on Tuesday.
Natasha Shade led off the bottom of the first with a walk, and after a passed ball allowed her to reach third, Brianna Clary drove her home with a single to left. Clary ended up scoring on a wild pitch, and after Madison Tobin walked her way on, she ended up coming in on a groundout by Lewis.
In the second, an error opened the door to six more Pittsfield runs. Lewis hit her double in the rally, which also saw the Generals earn five free passes.
Shade and Clary each doubled in a two-run third, and Tobin doubled in a run in the bottom of the fourth.
Meanwhile, Lyon did not give up a hit until the top of the fourth. She struck out four and allowed no walks before turning the ball over to Sophia Groves, who pitched a scoreless fifth.
“I think [Lyon] did really great,” Lewis said. “She did an awesome job hitting her spots, and I think she knew she had fielders that were really strong backing her up. That really helped her with her confidence.”
Pittsfield coach Gregory Marchbanks agreed.
“I thought Tess went out there and established the strike zone,” he said. “She hit her spots and just stayed strong and used the defense.
“[Lummus in center] was filling some big shoes from last year, and she came out showing she’s going to run down balls just as well as Britney [Perkett] did last year, if not better. I think she might be a little faster out there.”
Brodi Rosier broke up Lyon’s bid for a no-hitter with a two-out single to left in the top of the fourth.
The Mounties (2-2) go to Monson on Friday.
Pittsfield (2-0) goes to Acton-Boxborough on Thursday.