By Ken Chaisson
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
The Walpole softball team played against the Black Knights of Stoughton on Wednesday, June 4 at the South Walpole Community Athletic Field (SWCAF) in the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
Sharlotte Stazinski was at her usual excellence striking out the leadoff batter Regan Costello, the daughter of Stoughton head coach Erin Costello and the next two batters. Stazinski pitched five innings, didn’t walk anyone, allowed one hit and struck out 10.
Abby Riley started the scoring with a solo shot over the centerfielder’s head. Caroline Daley got on via a groundball error by shortstop. Briella Clinton singled to right which scored another run. Grace Todd bashed a two run homerun over the left fielder’s head. Stazinski singled to right then stole second base. Caroline Doran singled to left then stole second. An infield groundout scored another run. Sydney Bissonette doubled to left. Arianna Torres crushed a two run homer over the left fielder’s head. Stoughton went to the bullpen but the damage was done. Walpole was up 7-0 after one inning with Stazinski on the mound.
In the second inning, a one out single by Stoughton was left stranded at second. That was the entire offense for the Black Knights for the day.
In Walpole’s half of the second, with two outs, Todd doubled over the third baseman’s head followed by Stazinski’s single to right. A passed ball scored another run and a wild pitch scored another. Sienna Kreuzer singled to knock in one more. It was 10-0 Walpole.
In the third Riley singled and promptly stole second. Clinton was hit by a pitch. Todd then knocked them both in with a two run single to right. It was 12-0.
The fourth led to more of the same theme. Layla Casey smashed a liner off pitcher’s arm which drove in another run. A walk later and Norah Broderick homered to left.
In the Stoughton’s half of the fourth, Broderick made a spectacular play at 3B. Playing in guarding against a bunt, the batter slapped a popup over Broderick’s head along the third base line. Broderick turned, ran and then dove with her back to the plate to snag the popup. It was a Jim Edmonds-like grab but much closer to the batter requiring much quicker reaction time.
Walpole broke out their own Murderer’s Row for the game. Torres went 1-2 with two RBIs and a HR. Broderick went 1-2 with a home-run. Riley went 2-4 with a home-run. Todd went 3-3 with four RBI and a home-run.
