TURNER'S FALLS — It was a unique early-season challenge the Franklin Tech softball team faced Tuesday.
The Eagles hosted Blackstone Valley Tech, an unfamiliar Central Massachusetts team that advanced to the MIAA division. 4 Last year we made it to the round of 16 and were promoted to the division. This spring, he placed third in a competition that prepares him for technical preparation for next month's state competition.
Playing against a team two divisions above wasn't a problem for the Eagles, as Hannah Gilbert held the Beavers to just two hits while Tech had nine. Franklin Tech won 7-3 at Nancy Gifford Field.
“It was a little bit of an unknown,” Franklin Tech coach Joe Gamache said. “They're an upper division and they come from different areas of the state. We didn't have any information on them. We got a really solid performance from Hannah.”
Gilbert finished the game with eight strikeouts, and the defense behind her came into play when the Eagles (3-0) needed it most.
Combine this with an offense that has allowed a run in five of six, and Tech is a very tough challenge for opponents, regardless of division.
“We made a lot of plays defensively and got some timely hits,” Gamache said. “Our three keys are good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. The girls did that today.”
Blackstone (2-2) took the lead in the top of the first inning on a passed ball by Lindsey Kaye, giving the Beavers a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles responded with a run of their own on the bottom of the frame. Kate Trudeau was hit by a pitch, stole second base, advanced to third base on Lily Ross's single, and Gilbert singled to drive in Trudeau and bring the game to one point.
Liliana Inman's bat gave Tech a two-point lead. Cordelia Guerin started the inning with a walk, putting a runner on Inman, who hit a home run over the left-field fence to give the Eagles a 3-1 lead.
Franklin Tech scored in the third inning. Kyla Goodell singled, advanced to third base following Guerin's double, and scored on Inman's single to give Tech a 4-1 lead.
Blackstone's Brooke Gniadek hit first in the fourth inning, advanced to second base on a ground ball by Alihana Mercado, stole third and scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 4-2.
Goodell added a second home run for Franklin Tech, but it was hit in a different fashion than Inman. With two outs in the fifth inning, Goodell hit a line drive down the right field line, but it rolled over the fence. She used her speed to get to third base, then she turned on the Jets and beat the home throw for an inside-the-park home run to give the Eagles a 5-2 lead.
Tech had two insurance runs in the sixth. Jenna Petrovic singled to get on base, hit a double and was driven in by Ross' double.
Ross then stole third base and hit a home run on Gilbert's sacrifice fly, giving Franklin Tech a 7-2 lead entering the seventh inning.
The Beavers scored in the seventh inning on Julia Trujillo's home cross and Isabella Raymond's double and double steal. Gilbert and Tech escaped further damage, sealing the victory.
With three wins to start the season, the Eagles look to keep their foot on the gas as they enter the heart of Franklin County League East action later this week, hosting Mohawk Trail on Thursday and Hopkins Academy on Friday. ing.
“We are in a good position,” Gamache said. “We're entering the final stages of our league schedule later this week, but we still have some tough standalone games left in the regular season. It'll be a good test. We have some big goals,” he said. So far, the girls are working hard to achieve them.”
Blackstone Valley Technical College will be in the area overnight before playing a second straight game against Turners Falls in Powertown on Wednesday.
