Easthampton Pulls Away from Hornets
EASTHAMPTON, Mass. — The McCann Tech softball team is starting to hate both the fifth and sixth innings.The Hornets ran into troubles in those two frames for the second game in a row on Thursday. On Friday, McCann gave up eight runs in the fifth and sixth innings in an 11-3 loss to Central. The Hornets then surrendered four runs combined in those same two frames on Thursday, helping Easthampton pull away for a 7-3 win at home.
Trailing 3-1 entering the top of the fifth inning, McCann (1-12) tied the game when senior Erika Ziemba crushed a two-run home run over the left-center field fence. The Eagles answered back with two runs in the bottom half of the frame, however, and added two more in the sixth to put the game away.
"The game was closer than the score indicates," Hornets head coach Robin Finnegan said. "It was well played by both teams, unfortunately we were on the road, and the girls didn't have a say in the outcome of the game. We are better than our record indicates, and we will stay positive."
Ziemba took the loss on the mound for McCann, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out four batters and walked five, while two Hornets' errors allowed Easthampton to score four unearned runs. Caelin Motter struck out three and walked two to earn the win, allowing three runs on six hits in a complete-game performance.
Kelly Avard led the Eagles' attack with two hits and one RBI. Sophomore Jordan Prevey was a threat on the bases for McCann, collecting one hit and finishing with four runs scored.
The Hornets next host Lenox at 4 p.m. on Friday.