Pittsfield Wins Tournament Opener

PITTSFIELD , Mass. — Ava McMahon Monday pitched the Pittsfield softball team past Monomoy, 10-3, to clinch a berth in the Sweet 16 and a visit to Uxbridge on Wednesday in the Division 4 State Tournament.

 

Pittsfield had an offensive explosion against the Sharks.

 

Nevaeh Lopez and Ella Bassi combined for four total hits for the Generals, and Bassi recorded two RBIs on a third-inning double.

 

McMahon pitched a lot of strikes, leading to flyouts and groundouts.

 

Pittsfield, a team that’s become known for its late game heroics, picked up the pace well early this game.

 

“I’m proud of the girls today, they really brought it all together just like I knew they were capable of," Generals coach Brian MacDonald said.

 

“Ava pitched a great game in the circle and our defense pulled it together for a very important win against Monomoy.”

 

MacDonald, who coached the 2024 team to the Final Four, showed the playoff experience of his coaching staff.

 

Though it was a huge win for the Generals senior Captain Paxton Ebling, she said that, unfortunately, it would be her last game in the Generals uniform.

 

Due to circumstances in her life coming up in the coming days, she will not be able to make the trip to Uxbridge

 

“I really loved playing for this team, I have Vaeh (Nevaeh Lopez) right by my side all four years,” Ebling said.

 

“Going to be able to play college ball alongside my partner is honestly all I could ask for, we grew in this system from house league and travel ball to high school.”

 

Lopez and Ebling each have committed to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and look to continue their relationship this fall.

 

As for the rest of the team, Kayla Crupi made her return for the Generals on Monday, starting in left field and recording her first hit since early in the season.

 

This was a huge motivator for the Generals, who got the ever so needed base runners early.

 

Gionnah Levardi started at third base this game and played the hot corner to its full extent. She recorded one unassisted double play to follow on two diving catches and two more fielder's choices preventing runners from reaching base.

 

As a whole, the Generals looked right back to great form with the bats, base running, and pitching.

 

McMahon was in control as a ninth-grader making her first start in the state playoffs.

 

“Its certainly a cool thing to have been able to do," McMahon said. "I look at the girls stats from last year like Amanda [Pou] and try my best to keep that energy and dominance in my plays.”

 

McMahon, who is only a first-year player for the Generals, put on quite the performance from the circle this season, registering 46 total strikeouts.

 

She also pitched a solid 55 innings to lead her team in that stat and has gone 5-6 in 10 games.