ATHOL — Jade Tyler fought through the rain and the bats of Athol High School in a 9-6 win for the Turners Falls softball team on Tuesday.
The Thunder (10-0, 6-0 Franklin) had a 9-2 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning when Athol starting hacking away at Tyler.
“I knew they were going to put up a fight until the end,” Tyler said. “I didn’t realize they were going to hit the ball that well.”
The Red Raiders (4-4. 2-4) had six hits and scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Haley Wrigley led off the seventh with a double before a single by Reily Polana put runners at first and third. Lexi Forte and Jenna St. Cyr followed with RBI singles for the Red Raiders.
“I loved the comeback,” Athol coach Sharon Chauvette said. “If we can play seven innings like we did the last two innings we could beat them. They are a good team and have been for years. But they are beatable this year.”
The last Athol hit came from Haley Bigwood, who smacked an RBI double that scored two runs but The Thunder caught Bigwood trying to take third to end the game.
Both teams played through a downpour starting in the bottom of the sixth.
“It was tough,” Tyler said. “We haven’t played much in the rain. I just tried to keep the ball dry and throw a little slower so it doesn’t slip.”
Tyler gave up nine hits and six runs with six strikeouts.
Turners Falls had the cushion heading into the seventh with contributions from multiple hitters. Hailey Bogusz went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and three RBI.
“For me, I have to be patient at the plate,” Bogusz said. “I was just focused on seeing the ball and staying back.”
LeBlanc pitched well for Athol but gave up five walks and 10 hits with seven strikeouts.
Olivia Whittier had two hits including a double with two RBI for Turners Falls. The Thunder will play at Greenfield High School (6-1, 4-0) on Thursday.
“I didn’t like giving up four runs in the seventh,” Turners Falls coach Gary Mullins said. “They wacked the ball and earned it. Sometimes you worry about a game like this when you play Greenfield on Thursday.”
The Red Raiders had a lead in the first inning after an RBI double by Sadey Lehtomaki.
The Thunder got a leadoff triple by Cassidhe Wozniak before an RBI single by Taylor Murphy tied the game.
Turners Falls took a 3-1 lead in the fourth after Bogusz’s two-RBI double. Bogusz later scored on a wild pitch.
Whittier’s RBI double gave the Thunder a 6-1 lead in the inning.
In the sixth inning RBI hits from Alyson Murphy, Julianna Rode, and Bogusz upped the lead to 9-1.
Lehtomaki struck again for Athol in the bottom of the sixth when she knocked in Bigwood from third with an RBI single.
Kendall Deleo made two running catches in right field for Athol, limiting the Thunder to one run in the third inning.
Turners 9, Athol 6
Turners …………………. 001 503 0 — 9 10 1
Athol ……………………. 100 0014 — 6 9 1
Hits: (TF) Bogusz, 3 Alyson Murphy, Taylor Murphy, Whittier 2, Rode 2, Wozniak. (A) LeBlanc, St. Cyr, Forte, Lehtomaki 2, Bigwood 2, Polana
2B: (TF) Bogusz, Whittier, Alyson Murphy. (A) Lehtomaki, Wrigley, Bigwood
3B: (TF) Wozniak
RBI: (TF) Taylor Murphy, Bogusz 3, Whittier 2, Alyson Murphy, Rode. (A) Lehtomaki 2, Bigwood 2, Forte, St. Cyr.
WP: Tyler (7 ip,6 k, 1 bb).
LP: LeBlanc (7 ip, 7 k, 5 bb).
