Girls Softball Suffers Tough Loss

Victoria Falco stroked a two run single in the top of the ninth to give visiting Marlborough (7-4) a 4-2 win over Groton-Dunstable (4-8) in an inter-league girls softball game.

The afternoon was damp, misty and raw but, despite the less than ideal conditions, the well-played game was a pleasure to watch. Unfortunately the Crusaders, who made the plays, once again came up just short.

"We have to battle hard every game," said Coach Derek Asadoorian. "We're smaller than most of the schools on our schedule. Just did not get the timely hit when we needed it."

I arrived fashionably late (top of the second) with the score knotted 1-1. In the top of the third, junior Victoria Petrie hit a laser to right center that left the yard in a hurry putting Marlborough ahead, 2-1.

Panther pitcher Emily Woodworth and GD's Alyssa Ash got through the fourth efficiently but in the home half of the fifth, GD manufactured a run to even the game. Try to follow me now!

Emily Figueroa took first base when she was grazed by a pitch. A Celina Antonellis bunt single had runners on first and second with no outs. Figueroa was thrown out attempting to steal third. But Antonellis moved to third on Laura Bieren's infield hit. Erin Olson was out 4-3, but "Wheels" Antonellis broke for home and scored to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth.

The sixth, seventh and eighth innings went quietly with the teams making the plays, in particular the deep fly ball that left-fielder Emily Figueroa flagged down against the fence, and the outstanding play of Panther shortstop Jen Boxell.

"Both teams played great," enthused varsity softball coach Derek Asadoorian. "Good pitching, good defense by two quality teams. Their shortstop (Boxell) took at least two hits away."  

For the Crusaders (4-8), pitcher Alyssa Ash went 2 for 3 with an RBI triple and a double, and Laura Bieren was 2 for 4 with a run scored.