Spartans Top Mount Everett to Qualify for Tournament

SHEFFIELD, Mass. – Bella Viola went 3-for-5 with a double, and Ember Raifstanger homered to lead the Monument Mountain softball team to a 9-5 win over Mount Everett on Wednesday that clinched a berth in the state tournament for the Spartans.

 

Avery Raifstanger went 2-for-3, and Sammy Ulrich drove in a pair of runs for the Spartans, who built a 5-0 lead before the Eagles were able to tie it with five in the bottom of the fifth.

 

Monument Mountain went on top for good with a three-run sixth. Viola got things started with a leadoff single and moved to second when Jade Abderhalden reached on a fielder’s choice.

 

With two out, Olivia Simms singled to left to drive in Viola and move Abderhalden into scoring position. Meg Dupont then drove in Abderhalden with a single to left and moved to second on the throw home.

 

Simms scored when Jada McKie reached on an error to make it 8-5.

 

“We gave up too many second chances, and good teams are going to capitalize on your mistakes unfortunately,” said Mount Everett coach Joshua King, whose team committed seven errors in the loss.

 

“I did like how we battled back being down 5-0 and thought we had turned the corner going into the last two innings but gave them extra outs which never helps your cause. As I tell them over and over it’s a learning experience, especially myself as I need to prepare them better to be successful. I take responsibility for this loss today as I didn't prepare my team to play.”

 

Makayla Carpenter led Mount Everett’s offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.

 

Dupont earned the win in the circle for Monument Mountain, striking out 12 and walking five.

 

The Spartans (10-2) host Westfield Tech on Friday.