QUARTERFINAL UPSET SENDS ROCKETS TO SEMIS
By Ruthie Laroche
For the County Courier
The Rockets spent six hours on a bus Friday, but for Head Coach Jim Bose and the Richford athletes that made the trip, it was a day well spent.
Richford, the fifth seed in Division III, traveled to Chester to face fourth-seeded Green Mountain, hoping for an upset to keep their season alive.
“The Rockets played their hearts out,” said Bose, smiling after the game.
Lagging just one run behind their opponents in the final inning of the game, Rocket catcher, Abigail Adams, launched a two-run home run, propelling the Rockets to a 4-3 win. “Abigail wasn’t the only hero in this game,” Bose noted, “all 13 girls, including four freshman JV players, had something to bring to this win!”
Green Mountain scored first, putting two runs on the board in the fourth inning.
The Rockets answered in the sixth when Adams singled and Hayley Snider walked. Hanna Hurtubise singled scoring Adams.
Freshman, Madison Johnson, who was pinch-hitting, hit a line drive to right field, scoring Snider and tying the game. In the bottom of the sixth Green Mountain’s strongest hitter, launched a ball to the outfield. Rocket center fielder, Christine Greenwood, made the catch.
With two outs, Green Mountain batters reached base on singles and scored, bringing the score to 3-2 in their favor. Richford pitcher Katie Rotunno singled in the top of the seventh, giving the Rockets a much-needed base runner. With Rotunno on base, Adams stepped to the plate and hit the home run that would eventually secure the win.
Rotunno returned to the mound in the seventh, pitching to three batters who each grounded out, one to Rocket third baseman Austin Archambault, one to second baseman Hanna Hurtubise and one back to Rotunno who made the final game-winning play.
“Katie pitched an awesome, complete game getting ten strikeouts, two walks, and only three hits!” said Bose, still enjoying the thrill of the upset.
Adams finished 3-4, including a double and the game-winning home run; Hanna Hurtubise collected two hits. Richford batters had a total of ten hits in the game.
“The Rockets played with heart and determination and clearly wanted this game! I’m very proud of these girls!” said Bose. “I told the girls they all have ‘it’ and to bring ‘it’ to the game and play their hearts out! They did just that!”
Richford will be facing number one seeded BFA Fairfax on Tuesday, June 4 at 4:30 pm in Fairfax.
