Wilbraham softball's Suburban League playoff run halted
Aug. 6,
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Front row, left to right: Kayla Anderson, Melanie Ward, Mikayla Stolar, Giavana LaChapelle, Callie Cyr, Abigail Flaherty and Emma Hicklen. Back row, left to right: Jessica Anderson, Alexa Fleury, Kayla Brown, Calli Murray, Rachel Crafts, Jenna Murray. Missing: Meg Roncarati, Grace Trudeau Reminder Publications submitted photo
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WILBRAHAM — Same opponent, three games, all coming down to the last at bat.
That was the scenario for the U12 Wilbraham Falcons as their championship dreams ended in the Suburban League softball playoff semifinals with a 10-9 loss to the Westfield Wild on July 31. Over the course of the season, the Falcons and the Wild had battled to a 5-5 tie in the season opener, bookended by the regular season finale when Westfield defeated Wilbraham 13-11 on July 28. When the playoff brackets were announced, it seemed inevitable that the two teams would meet again. When both won their playoff openers, with the Falcons topping the Greenfield White 9-3, the matchup was assured.
The Falcons entered the playoffs as the second seed, with the tie and loss to Westfield the only blemishes on a 10-1-1 record that saw them finish second by just a half game to Northampton, the eventual championship winner, whom they defeated 7-3 on July 20 in a battle of the only two undefeated teams left.
The playoff semifinal was a see-saw battle that saw Wilbraham take an 8-3 lead, only to see Westfield rally to tie the game before both teams scratched out single runs to take a 9-9 tie into the final inning. Westfield scored in their half inning to lead 10-9, forcing the Falcons to have to plate at least one run to save their season. After advancing a runner to third with two outs, a long fly was caught for the final out. Players, coaches and fans came away drained and proud after witnessing a hard-fought, well-played game by both teams.
"It was a pleasure to be around such a great group of girls and to see them develop as a team, enjoy success, and most of all, have fun," Head Coach Kurt Anderson said.
Throughout the regular season, the Falcons displayed the league's top pitching depth and highest scoring offense, hanging up a total of 155 runs and yielding only 57, leading the league in both categories. The hurler trio of Jessica Anderson, Rachel Crafts and Mikayla Stolar were able to control opposing offenses and the runs came from up and down the batting order.
Ten of the 14 players on the roster rolled right into Suburban League action on the heels of winning the U12A NEYSA Championship on July 2 after an undefeated regular season, bringing their intensity, experience and talents with them. After a brief respite, some will be found back on the diamond, competing for a Suburban Fall League title.
In addition to the three pitchers, the team consisted of Kayla Anderson, Kayla Brown, Callie Cyr, Abigail Flaherty, Alexa Fleury, Emma Hicklen, Giavana LaChapelle, Calli Murray, Jenna Murray, Meg Roncarati, Grace Trudeau and Melanie Ward.
The team was coached by Anderson, Steve Crafts, Glenn LaChapelle and Dan Murray.
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