Win over Eagles Clinches Playoff Berth for Hornets
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The McCann Tech softball team advanced to the second season in style on Monday, playing one of its
better games in a 4-1 home win over Easthampton. The victory improves the Hornets' record to 10-6 overall and qualifies them for a spot in the Division 3 Western Mass. tournament. "I am so proud of this team," McCann head coach Robin Finnegan said. "They are a ton of fun to coach and when they come to play, we can compete and beat anyone. They are all looking forward to the tournament and, hopefully, we can make a good run. We have four games left, which hopefully we can stayed focus for to increase our chances of getting a home game."
The Hornets previously beat the Eagles 5-4 in the first game of the season but didn't allow the game to stay that close the second time around. Senior pitcher Katlyn Haring played a big part in that, allowing Easthampton just one unearned run and three hits in a complete-game performance. Haring struck four batters and walked three to improve her season record to 8-5.
Haring also helped her own cause by going 2 for 3 at the plate with a double. Junior Ashley Alibozek hurt the Eagles in two different ways, using her bat to go 2 for 4 with two triples and two RBI and also using her glove to make two spectacular catches in the McCann outfield. Junior Jamie LeTourneau and sophmore Alex Lincoln both went 2 for 3 with a run scored, while senior Bryana Malloy added a suicide squeeze bunt and an RBI.
The Hornets next play at Smith Academy at 4 p.m. on Thursday.