Rutland denies Springfield

Rutland received solid pitching from Skyler Bird and threw the leather at Springfield to win Tuesday’s softball game at Bill Robinson Field, 9-2.

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Rutland denies Springfield Rutland Herald | April 19, 2017 STAFF REPORT SPRINGFIELD — Rutland received solid pitching from Skyler Bird and threw the leather at Springfield to win Tuesday’s softball game at Bill Robinson Field, 9-2. “Rutland played great defense today. Its team defense was the difference in the game,” Springfield coach Andy Bladyka said. Five of Bladyka’s 12 players were freshmen and he started four of them. That showed up in the field. “They exposed our youth on defense,” Bladyka said. Springfield sophomore pitcher Hannah Crosby performed well, striking out nine and walking five. But there were plenty of mishandled balls behind her. Rutland’s defense, conversely, was superb, highlighted by an outstanding running catch by center fielder Mya Cyr. “I thought sure that was a triple or a home run. She almost made it look easy,” Bladyka said. Caitlin Laird was another cog in that Raider defense. “She scooped up a couple of balls at third base that I thought for sure were base hits,” Bladyka said. Bird allowed five hits, struck out two and walked only one. Delaney Courcelle had a big day in the Raider lineup with a two-run triple. She finished with two hits and three RBI. Sydney Veilleux had a two-run double and Carolyn Laird added two hits. It was still a tight game at 5-2 heading into the sixth but it was there that the Raiders plated four runs to put it away. “I liked what I saw from my players. They kept their energy up the whole game and we played much better defense by the end of the game,” Bladyka said. Laura Wentworth knocked in both runs for the 1-1 Cosmos. They will try to rebound on Friday when they host Mill River. Rutland improved to 2-1.