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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Walpole High varsity softball team has been next to unbeatable at home this season, currently sporting a 7-1 record at Bird Middle School, with their lone home defeat coming to Braintree (1-0) in a pitcher’s duel on May 20.
On Wednesday, the Lady-Rebels (12-4, 9-4) responded from their tough defeat to the No. 11-ranked Wamps with a resounding 15-5 win over Natick. Senior McKenzie Rae (two RBI) led the way for Walpole at the plate, going 2-2 on the day by belting a triple, a double, a sacrifice fly, drawing a walk and accounting for two runs scored. Freshman Catie Powderly (3-4, two RBI, two runs scored) also had a big day at the plate with three singles, while junior Katie Leacoma (two-for-three, two RBI, two runs scored) recorded a pair of singles.
Sophomore Katie Lynch recorded a complete-game with the slaughter rule coming into place, throwing five strong innings and collecting five strikeouts on nine hits and two earned runs.
“It was a good win,” said Walpole head coach Rachael Sprague. “We came out strong offensively and defensively, scoring a good amount of runs and holding a good hitting Natick team to none through the third inning.”
Despite the strong performance, Sprague says her team does have some things they need to clean up in order to be prepared to make a long run in the upcoming state tournament.
“Unfortunately, we had a bit of a messy 4th inning defensively, but I was really proud of the girls for coming right back in the bottom of the fourth to make up for the runs they had given up, scoring eight more in that inning alone. We definitely could have been tighter defensively, but Natick has some great hitters and they never gave up, keeping us on our toes.”
The No. 20 Lady-Rebs will close out their regular season at Milton on May 30 before gearing up for the state tournament.
For funny and insightful sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter @fLAno0.
