Monson-Hoosac Valley Softball tournament opener
Yet, despite the heroics, Monson was unable to close it out. Monson’s inconsistency inthe field, a malady all year, insured its exit. In the 9th, Raymond overthrew Monica Morin on an infield grounder. Then in a key play, 3rd baseman Melissa Harris made a brilliant play. She fielded a grounder and by faking a throw to 1st, had Hoosac Valley runner Dix trapped off of second. But the HV runner eluded the rundown play. It lead to a bases loaded, none out situation for HV. Raymond was firing hard and was able to strike out Hunt. But then a misplayed piutch allowed the go-ahead run to score. It opened up the floodgates, under the darkening skies. Two fly balls were mishandled and the visitors took this opening round tournament game, the lone contest played, this afternoon.
“We’re ecstatic,” Meczywor said afterward. “After they had tied it inthe seventh, we told ourrselves we needed to shake it off. We pretnded everfy ining was anew game.
“It’s all about picking each other up.”
Said Monson coach Phil Murray, “We hit a lot of balls hard.
“It wasn’t meant to be.
“We finished 15-6. It was another successful season for us.
“But in a tournament game, you just can’t give a team extra outs.
“It’s an 8th-9th seed game. It’s a flip of the coin.”
“We played hard, and went out and did the best that we could,” Raymond said. “We were happy we were able to tie it.
“I thought we had a strong year.”
