Crusaders Softball Team Cruises to First Win

On Tuesday, GD athletic director Mike McCaffrey spent his morning grooming the softball diamond and the Crusaders reciprocated, pounding visiting Murdock, 15-4 for their first win of the season.

Solid relief pitching from senior Alyssa Ash, who went 3 for 4 at the plate with five RBI's, helped lead the Crusaders (1-5) past the visiting Blue Devils (2-4).

Starting pitcher Laura Bieren (5K) was dominant, overpowering the Devils in the first. Third baseman Deanna Polcari reached on an error but GD catcher Celina Antonellis gunned her down attempting to steal third to end the inning.

In reality, the game was over when GD plated six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Safeties by Celina Antonellis, Erin Olson, Alssya Ash, Laura Bieren and Ariana Cho with walks sprinkled in between accounted for the runs.

Two Ks for Bieren, a nice pick by Ariana Cho and a five-to-three out gave the Crusaders a tidy, clean second inning.

In the top of the third with no outs, Bieren ran into a bit of control trouble, walking the number seven batter, followed by an infield out before fanning the number nine hitter. Another base on balls, this time to lead-off batter Haley Jandris, put two runners on first and third with two outs. Murdock sophomore Dianna Polcari jumped all over a Bieren offering, delivering it over the center field fence, cutting the GD advantage in half and I thought, maybe we have a game.

Groton-Dunstable picked up a singleton in the third to go up 7-3 but Murdock threatened in the fourth when walks loaded the bases. A Jandris RBI single made it a three run game.

Have no fear. Alyssa is here. Ash relieved Bieren with two outs and got the dangerous Polcari on a fly ball to right fielder Erin Olson. Nice Koji work!

Leading 8-4, the Crusaders iced the game in the fifth, the big hit, Alyssa Ash's three run double that bounced off the fence in center field.

The winning pitcher was Laura Bieren with outstanding relief for Alyssa Ash.