Rice Rolls into Postseason Behind Strong Pitching
VERGENNES – The Green Knights earned the fourth seed in the upcoming Division II playoffs, sweeping Vergennes, Milton and Enosburg last week to end the regular season at 13-2.
Alayna Havreluk struck out 12 to earn the win as Rice took care of business on the road against Vergennes last Tuesday 15-3. Finley Strong had an RBI and scored three runs in the win. Strong is the daughter of former Hazen Union and Lyndon State baseball standout Jeff Strong. Bella Messineo matched her teammate in the circle on Wednesday, twirling a one hit gem to lead the Green Knights over Milton at home 15-1. She helped her own cause with a two-run triple and Strong collected two more hits and an RBI in the win. Havreluk continued her dominance on Friday, striking out 15 in a 7-3 one hit gem over Enosburg.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
Rice is scheduled to host No. 13 Lamoille on Wednesday and will likely host the winner of Enosburg-Spaulding on Saturday as they look to get back to the Division II Final Four for a second consecutive season. DANVILLE – The Craftsbury Academy (CA) and Caledonia United softball teams have struggled mightily this season, but both teams sent their seniors out in style last week by splitting their home and home series to earn their first victories of the season.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
On Thursday, Myah Morgan belted a double, a triple and earned the win in the circle to power Cal United to a 15-10 home win over CA. Peyton Winn blasted a home run and a triple on her way to a three hit performance and Phoebe Crocker and Austin Roos combined for four more hits in the win. Winn closed things out to earn the save and combined with Morgan to strike out seven on the day. Seniors Ida Astick, Sophi Mancini, Selena Lamery and Kayley Goodsell were honored along with Hess for their outstanding high school careers.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
The Lady Chargers found payback at Dustan Field over the weekend with their biggest offensive output of the season, finding their first win 28-6. Senior Savanah Boyce earned the win in the circle and scored three times on Senior Day. Fellow Hazen Union senior Libby Bowley was honored before the game. Adelina Augsberger scored four times. Gracie Crown and Lynsey Allen combined for six more runs in the win.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
“The girls have really been standing out with their defensive effort the last couple of weeks. After coming up a little short on Thursday, the girls showed up and showed out in our regular season finale. Communication was good all game, the girls worked hard, and we had so much fun. We’ll use Monday to keep progressing offensively as we get ready for the playoffs,” said CA head coach Ashley Gravel.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
The Lady Chargers made the long trip to ninth seeded Twin Valley to open the Division IV tournament on Tuesday in a play-in game. Cal United will travel to second seeded Proctor on Thursday for a quarterfinal matchup.
