Hornets Down Taconic to Stay Unbeaten

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The McCann Tech softball team Friday pounded out 14 hits.

 

But the big difference for the Hornets was in the field, where they committed no errors and made several diving catches in a 10-4 win over Taconic.

 

Emma LeMire earned the win in the circle, striking out three in five innings of work before giving the ball to Mia Girard, who provided two innings of scoreless relief.

 

LeMire was the beneficiary of two diving catches in the infield from shortstop Aiden Champney and a diving grab by center fielder Nora Kondel that prevented an extra-base hit to lead off the bottom of the fourth.

 

“I have a lot of trust in them, especially in the outfield,” LeMire said. “They make amazing plays. I know it’s hard with the sun and stuff, but I have a boatload of confidence because I know they make the plays.”

 

McCann Tech coach Aubrey Thurston said stellar plays were the payoff from hard work in practice.

 

“We’ve been working really hard on defense the last couple of days,” Thurston said. “We know Taconic can hit.

 

“We have a really great group of seniors and great returning players this year. So they’re just working really hard out in the field. I’m really proud of them for laying out for those balls and working really hard to back up our pitchers.”

 

McCann struck first with single runs in the first and second innings, but Taconic showed how potent its offense can be in the bottom of the second.

 

A walk and infield singles from Toni Ahoussie and Madi Barber loaded the bases for Makenzie Boody, who pounded a double to left that chased all three runners home and gave Taconic a 3-2 lead.

 

It did not last.

 

McCann Tech broke the game open with a seven-run rally in the top of the third.

 

The Hornets took advantage of three walks and a hit batter.

 

Shaylee Lawson’s sacrifice fly plated Champney to give McCann Tech a 4-3 lead. Mackenzie Lemanski, Maggie Worhle, Avery Lane and Champney belted RBI singles before the rally ended with the visitors on top, 9-3.

 

Gabby Driscoll’s RBI single in the top of the fifth pushed that margin to seven runs.

 

The Thunder got one run back in the sixth when Mollie Crawford worked a leadoff walk and eventually came home on Jianna Kruger’s RBI single.

 

Ahoussie went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead Taconic’s offense. Wohrle and Lane each had a pair of hits for the Hornets.

 

McCann Tech has scored in double digits in each of its first five games – all wins.

 

Thurston said she knew coming out of preseason that her veteran team would be able to score.

 

“I felt very strongly about how well our bats were going to do,” Thurston said. “We lost Paige [Rochelo] last year. She was one of our big hitters. But our seniors coming in this year, they’ve really stepped it up, and they’ve worked hard in the off-season.

 

“They came ready to hit.”

 

McCann Tech (5-0) travels south to play Mount Everett on Saturday.

 

Taconic (3-5) is at Hoosac Valley on Tuesday.

 

Photos from this game to come.