WESTFIELD — The Hampshire Regional softball team fell to Hudson, 6-0, in the Division 2 state semifinals, Wednesday at Westfield State University.
The Raiders (18-6) had an opportunity in the first inning with the bases loaded and two outs, but Hudson pitcher Sophia Togneri (11 strikeouts) fanned catcher Katelyn Labrie to end the scoring threat.
Leaving runners on base became an issue for Hampshire and was responsible for its downfall, according to coach Brian McGan.
“We had people on base and couldn’t get them home,” said McGan. “That part hurt probably the most in this whole game.”
On the defensive side things looked great for the Raiders through the first two innings as eighth grade starting pitcher Jocelyn Mettey retired six of the first seven batters she faced.
In the third inning, the Hawks (18-3) started to get to Mettey and with runners on the corners, a bunt by Emily White (hit, stolen base) scored a run to make it 1-0.
Two batters later, Abbey Nezuch (one hit) singled to right and drove in two runs to make it 3-0.
Hudson added two in the fourth for a 5-0 lead.
After the first inning, Hampshire’s bats were relatively quiet.
In the first, Katelyn Baker and Maggie Rubeck singled to open then game, then Hannah Marney worked a two-out walk to load the bases.
After Togneri escaped the jam, she cruised through the next three innings, allowing only a leadoff single to Baker in the third. Baker stole second but was stranded there.
In the fifth, Baker was hit by a pitch with two outs and Rubeck singled, but Hannah Wodecki popped out to end the inning.
“She shut us down,” McGan said. “She did what she had to do.”
The senior pitcher also had a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth to make it 6-0.
Despite runners in scoring position in the later innings, the Raiders were never able to cross the plate.
Labrie singled with two outs in the sixth and took third on an error. Senior Brooke Kavanaugh singled in the seventh and reached third following a two-out error that allowed Rubeck to reach first.
McGan gave some insight into what the conversation following the game was like.
“I told them they’re going to be back,” McGan said. “That’s a crazy talented group for being that young.”
While the core of the team will remain, the work to get back to this point will still need to be done.
“They’ll learn from it,” McGan said. “You’ve got to work harder to get back, it’s not a guarantee.”
With only two seniors, Hampshire expects to be in the mix for a state title.
“Hampshire’s been pretty lucky for the last 10, 11 years,” McGan said. “We’ve been here for a long time and I hope they embrace that and come back again.”
Hudson 6, Hampshire Regional 0
Hampshire 000 000 0 — 0 6 3
Hudson 003 210 x — 6 9 2
WP—Togneri LP—Mettey
Records: Hampshire (18-6) Hudson (18-3)