Turners Tops Hoosac Valley in Western Mass Final

WESTFIELD, Mass. – The top half of the Turners Falls lineup took care of business in Wednesday’s Western Massachusetts Class D final against Hoosac Valley.

 

The Thunder’s first four hitters went 9-for-13 with a home run and five doubles in a 12-1 win at Westfield State’s Sullivan Field.

 

Madi Liimatainen made her mark early with a solo homer down the left field line in the top of the first.

 

She went on to hit a two-run double in the fourth for Turners Falls, which led, 11-0 after three innings.

 

That was more than enough offensive support for Liimatainen the pitcher, who struck out 14, walked none and allowed three hits in the complete-game win.

 

Marilyn Abarua was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and three RBIs for Turners, which earlier in the day was installed as the No. 1 seed in the Division 5 State Tournament.

 

Hoosac Valley mounted its first real offensive threat in the top of the fourth.

 

Izabela Tart doubled and went to third when Hannah Lord hit a deep fly ball to center field. But Liimatainen got the next batter swinging for the third out.

 

The Hurricanes finally broke through for a run in the sixth.

 

Rachael Wnuk led off with a single and, with two out, went all the way to third when Lord reached on a dropped third strike that ended in an overthrow into right field.

 

Wnuk then scored on a wild pitch to make it 11-1 at the time.

 

Gracelyn Wright went the distance in the circle for Hoosac Valley, striking out five, and made the defensive play of the game.

 

In the bottom of the fourth, a Thunder batter hit a pop fly that Wright chased down, making a sliding catch about 4 feet in front of home plate.

 

Hoosac Valley (17-3) is seeded sixth in Division 5. It awaits the winner of Friday’s preliminary round game between English High and Westport.