Auntie Ashley 3-hits Terriers

In Springfield, Ashley Richardson found a new reason for getting off to a slow start: Becoming an aunt.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100416/SPORTS/4160356                   # # # # Auntie Ashley 3-hits Terriers  •  Rutland Herald  •  Staff Reports - Published: April 16, 2010  •  In Springfield, Ashley Richardson found a new reason for getting off to a slow start: Becoming an aunt.  •  Dashing to the field in time to warm up in haste, the Springfield High School pitcher gave up three first-inning runs and then shut down Bellows Falls the rest of the way to earn a 13-3 victory in Marble Valley League softball on Thursday.  •  Richardson was late because she was at Springfield Hospital with her sister, who was giving birth to a baby boy. The hospital is within view of the field at Riverside Park. Shortly after one Richardson sister delivered, so did the other.  •  "I told Ashley there's only one story you want to tell about this day and it ends with a victory," coach Andy Bladyka said of the pep talk he gave his senior starter.  •  Richardson gave up singles to Emma Shaw and Megan Lebeau and, coupled with her only walk and a bases-loaded error, it resulted in a 3-0 BF lead. But Richardson found her groove and allowed only two baserunners – and one hit – the rest of the way.  •  The Cosmos, a mix of young and veteran players, rapped 11 hits. "Up and down the lineup we were pretty solid," Bladyka said.  •  Nine Cosmos hit safely against Shaw, including Eibhilin Whittemore, who came off the bench with a two-run single to make it 7-3 in the fifth. Kristin Cook also had a big hit, a three-run triple, and drove in four runs.  •  Richardson struck out seven as the Cosmos went to 2-2.  •