Falcons achieve synergy, capture U12A softball title |
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The Hampden-Wilbraham Falcons celebrate NEYSA U12A Softball Championship. From left to right, front row: Melanie Ward, Graycn Rothschild-Shea, Maia Hutcheson-Jones, Mikayla Stolar, Giavana LaChapelle and Jenna Murphy. Back row: Rachel Crafts, Emma Hicklen, Callie Cyr, Jessica Anderson and Taylor Sanborn. Missing: Kayla Anderson and Grace Trudeau. Reminder Publications submitted photo
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July 9, 2012
SPRINGFIELD — A bit of redemption, perhaps?
After a heartbreaking loss in the final game of the NEYSA U12A championship playoffs last year, the Hampden-Wilbraham Falcons clinched this season's league title with a victory over South Hadley on July 2 at Greenleaf Park.
The Falcons went into the playoffs as the No.1 seed, on the heels of a dominant regular season that saw them run up a division-winning 12-0 record and outscore their combined opponents 154-23. That meant that they awaited the winner of a one-game playoff between West Springfield and South Hadley. With South Hadley having prevailed, the Falcons faced off with the Tigers in a best-of-three series that began with a doubleheader on June 30.
Riding the excellent pitching of Jessica Anderson and Rachel Crafts, the Falcons came into the series having defeated the Tigers three times during the regular season.
In game one, the team turned in a solid performance with Crafts allowing few base runners and the offense putting up some runs in a 16-2 mercy-rule win.
Game two under the lights was a different story as the Falcons gave up an uncharacteristic four runs in the first inning and never got untracked until late. South Hadley's offense found some life throughout, helped by some Falcon mistakes, and the lead climbed. Trailing 14-7 in their final at bat, the offense came up with a six run rally, but fell short, 15-13.
Fearing a repeat of 2011, the Falcons came into game three determined to not let the regular season be the bright spot. The pitching again was stingy and was backed by some solid defense. In a well-played game on both sides, the Falcons led 4-0 and scratched out a late run to make it 5-0. South Hadley broke the shutout with a single run late and then scored two in their last at bat. With a runner on, Crafts struck out the last Tiger batter for the championship in a 5-3 final.
If not redemption, it was most certainly "synergy," a team motto adopted by the Falcons at playoff time
"Each girl brings to the team her own individual talents and gifts, but when we all come together as one we are one powerful team and that is synergy at its best," Paul Stolar, head coach, said.
Great credit goes to South Hadley, who came into the playoffs as an underdog and fought hard to stretch their season and the favored Falcons to the limit. As for the champions, a season of a lot of hard work, beginning with indoor sessions in March and rainy-day batting cage work, paid off in the form of a jubilant on-field celebration and lots of ice cream off-field.
This year's squad of 13 girls returned six players from 2011, while adding seven new players, including both pitchers. They never skipped a beat, finishing with a 25-2-1 record over the last two seasons. A number will move on in 2013 to the U14 level, leaving behind a strong legacy for the next group of U12 Falcons to challenge. This summer, many team members also play on Wilbraham's Suburban Softball League entry, a team off to a 4-0-1 start.
In addition to Anderson and Crafts, the team included; Kayla Anderson, Callie Cyr, Emma Hicklen, Maia Hutcheson-Jones, Giavana LaChapelle, Jenna Murray, Graycn Rothschild-Shea, Taylor Sanborn, Mikayla Stolar, Grace Trudeau and Melanie Ward.
The team was coached by Stolar, Kurt Anderson, Steve Crafts, Dan Murray, and Glenn LaChapelle, with key organization by Andrea Stolar.
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