Pathfinder-McCann Tech
THREE RIVERS-The Lady Pioneers softball team was surprised, here by McCann in the play-in game of the Western Mass Tournament.
Led by its star sophomore pitcher, Katelyn Haring, McCann defeated injury-plagued Pathfinder, 13-0.
It was a the prototypical closer-than-it-appeared contest, the almost good news for the Lady Pioneers.
Co-champions of the Tri-County League after defeating nemesis Franklin Tech twice, Pathfinder was in it through four innings, trailing by just 3-0. The Lady Pioneers were making solid contact, throughout. But McCann flashed some impressive leather.
But Haring’s slugging added to her own pitching and defensive prowess (she held the Pioneers to three hits and fielded her position, skillfully). Haring drove in five runs as McCann put the game away with five runs inthe fifth and four more inthe sixth.
“We had a great season,” said coach Chris Pope. “They looked like us, on our best day.
“McCann played confident, and they made plays, to win.
“Their great dayi nthis game doesn’t take away what we’ve done all year.”
Playing with its starting catcher Maska, the Lady Pioneers struggled. SShe’s one of the team’s besat hiters and she has worked with pitcher Betsy Vadnais all season. Vadnais struggled with her control today.
McCann advances to the quarter-final round against Pioneer.
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