TURNERS FALLS — The Athol softball team didn’t seem to lose a beat offensively Wednesday afternoon.
Coach Sharon Chauvette said in the preseason that the team would rely more on its pitching than its hitting, but the Red Raiders smacked 12 hits and turned 16 walks into a 22-0 win over Franklin Tech in the team’s season opener.
The pitching was just as good, as Haley Bigwood and Lindsey Leblanc combined to no-hit the Eagles in five innings.
Rozlyn Nelson had one triple for the Red Raiders, while Destiny Wrigley had two doubles and one single. Bigwood and Geca Baptista each finished with one double, while Sadey Lehtomaki had one double and one single. Hannah Lajoie, Jenna St. Cyr and Lexi Forte all added singles.
Bigwood pitched three innings and struck out six with three walks. Leblanc pitched the final two innings, striking out four batters and issuing one walk.
The team will face Ludlow High School on the road on Thursday at 4 p.m.