http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110408/SPORTS/704089891
Published April 8, 2011 in the Rutland Herald
Springfield freshmen team up for no-hitter
By POODY WALSH
SPRINGFIELD — Talk about an impressive start.
Three Springfield freshmen pitchers combined to no-hit Green Mountain as the Cosmos opened the season with an 18-0 win at Bill Robinson Field Thursday afternoon.
Andrea Allen went the first three innings for Springfield and was followed to the mound by Sara Locke and Heather Sanborn, who each threw one inning in a game that was called after five innings by the mercy rule.
The three ninth-graders combined to throw 68 pitches, 46 for strikes. Green Mountain had two base runners as Kate Amsden reached on an error and Catie Tyrell walked. No Green Mountain player got to second base.
It was the season-opener for both teams and the first game for new Chieftans coach Hannah Parker.
Despite the loss Parker was upbeat, citing the fact that her team had not been outside and the school’s pitching machine was not working.
“We didn’t put enough balls in play and we didn’t get enough base runners,” Parker said. “I wish we had the opportunity to show some of our speed.”
The three Springfield pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and Springfield coach Andy Bladyka said he has two more pitchers, including another freshman, who will get some work. He wasn’t sure how he would use his pitchers in the games ahead, particularly Monday at Otter Valley, but he did say some will get work in by playing on the junior varsity.
“It’s kind of a nice problem to have, “ said Bladyka, now in his 12th season as varsity coach.
Allen retired the first eight batters in order and Bladyka said that she has five pitches that she can throw for strikes.
“The other two girls throw harder,” Bladyka said.
Allen threw just 41 pitches to get through the first three innings, Locke 16 pitches in the fourth and Sanborn, the hardest thrower, struck out the side on 11 pitches in the fifth inning.
Green Mountain, which is very young, used Stephanie Knockenhauer and Sarah Maguire on the mound.
While the Springfield pitching was the story of this game, the Cosmos also brought their bats along. Jessie Haskell carried the most potent stick as she had three hits and six runs batted in. Alexis Locke and Jenna Paul each had two hits. In all, the Cosmos had 10 hits, but the offense was aided by 13 Green Mountain bases on balls.
Springfield scored in every inning and put the game away with nine runs in the fifth.
“I feel like we have a lot of talent,” Bladyka said. “I couldn’t be happier the way things turned out today. I know Green Mountain lost a lot of players and they are very young, but we were pretty good today.”
Meanwhile, it’s back to the drawing board for Parker who realized that she was up against a talented team.
“But we’ve got to be more aggressive at the plate. We have to put more balls in play and make the other team’s defense work.”
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