By Paul Vozzella
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Warriors found themselves on the wrong side of history in Westwood on Wednesday evening. Medfield walked off the softball field with the same amount of hits as they walked on with – zero. The 6-0 score brought the Warriors’ record down to 4-7.
Coming into the game, the Warriors were playing their best stretch of ball. Having won three out of its last four games, Medfield produced eight or more runs in each win, but the Wolverines proved to be too much to get any offense going.
Westwood’s pitcher, senior Bridget Mulkeen, is no stranger to Medfield, either.
“It's the end of an era,” said head coach Travis Taliaferro. “We've faced Bridget a number of times. We've had a bunch of good battles, and she got us today. This year, in particular, she seems to really be trusting herself with some other pitches, and that kept us off balance. Her field made every play they had to make today. They were terrific.”
Despite recording no hits, Medfield was able to threaten by drawing a couple of walks in the fifth inning. Ashley Fessenden and Katie Currie were both able to get to ball four to lead off the inning and advance into scoring position with a groundout from the next batter. Unfortunately, the ensuing two batters would strikeout, ending the inning.
Medfield was unable to garner any action on the base paths for the rest of the game and struggled to do the same before the fifth inning.
“Honestly, we just looked a little unsettled today,” said Taliaferro. “[We had] some uncharacteristic swings, especially with two strikes.”
In the field, Sophie Baker got the start at pitcher and lasted all seven innings. Heading into the fourth inning with a 3-0 deficit, multiple errors led to Westwood doubling its lead. Baker would finish the game strong, however, recording consecutive one-two-three innings.
“We gave them some second chances, which came back to hurt us,” said Taliaferro. When you're scratching and clawing for a playoff spot, sometimes that matters. Seven years ago, a loss was just a loss. But this loss could have been a two or three [run] loss. And unfortunately, we coughed up the last couple runs, which matters more than it's ever mattered before.”
WIth the loss to Westwood and another loss to Medway by a score of 18-12 on Thursday, Medfield finds itself ranked at 31st overall in the Division III power rankings, with the top 32 teams being guaranteed a playoff spot.
The Warriors’ schedule did not get any easier, either. They faced Norton on Monday who came into the game with one loss, followed by back-to-back games versus a competitive Norwood team.
