Hancock Hammers Away in McCann Win over Smith
HATFIELD, Mass. -- The field conditions were hand-made for hitting, and Katie Hancock more than obliged, going a perfect 5 for 5 at the plate to lead the McCann Tech softball team to a 15-8 win over Smith Academy on Thursday.The sophomore slugger hit three singles, a double and a triple in the Hornets' 19-hit attack. She also scored four runs and knocked in four more to raise her season total to 15 RBI for the year. Smith scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the visitors' lead down to 8-5, but McCann (11-6) quickly regained control by putting up five more runs in the top of the sixth frame.
"This ended up a slugfest in a very wet game," Hornets head coach Robin Finnegan said. " The field conditions were poor at best so getting your footing defensively was a struggle for both teams. There were lots of hits and, luckily, we capitalized when we needed to. Any win is a good win, but we will have to step up our game next week when Ware and Gateway come to town."
Senior Bryana Malloy also had a solid day at the plate and on the base paths for McCann, going 3 for 4 with four runs scored and an RBI. Senior Amanda Cariddi and junior Cassie Field each chipped in with three hits for the Hornets, who received four strong innings from starting pitcher Erika Ziemba. The junior hurler allowed one unearned run with three strikeouts and one walk to improve her season record to 3-1. Senior Katlyn Haring allowed five earned runs over the final three frames to close out the game.
McCann next plays at Lenox at 4 p.m. on Friday.