2 weeks Ago
TURNERS FALLS ― Challenges bring out the best in every competitor and the defending Division V softball state champions pushed themselves to their limit against one of the best teams in the state on Saturday. Madison Liimatainen connected on two home runs for four RBIs, but the Thunder could not tie down the visitors’ offense as Wachusett Regional defeated No. 4 Turners Falls, 8-4.
The Mountaineers got rolling early with a solo home run from Tiegan Walsh, a massive shot to left-center to put the visitors on the board. But they were far from done. A two-out double extended the inning before back-to-back fielding errors allowed the two more runs to cross home plate before the inning could be closed out.
The Thunder quickly got two runs back after Mia Marigliano earned a leadoff walk and was driven in Liimatainen’s first home run of the day, a blast to center field. Both pitchers settled down the bats until the third inning when Walsh led off with a single for the Mountaineers. After Kendall Grady reached base on a hit by pitch, McKenzie Caron smacked a three-run home run to left field, doubling Wachusett’s score.
Liimatainen closed the frame without further damage before coming back with a loud response in the bottom of the third, connecting on a two-run home run after Marigliano led off with a single. Wachusett managed to scrape across another run in the fourth thanks to a sac fly from Walsh. The Thunder continued to battle, but Shayna Bakun handled the pressure well in the circle through the middle innings.
The Mountaineers picked up another insurance run in the seventh off an RBI double from Ella Snyder. Bakun wrapped up the victory in the bottom half of the frame after collecting her 10th and 11th strikeout. Turners Falls (5-3) will rue the mistakes made in the field that put the hosts on the back foot from the start, a position the Thunder simply couldn’t afford when facing an opponent of such quality.
In spite of that, the hosts can take away positives from battling back and going toe-to-toe with one of the top programs in Division I, entering the state tournament tournament last year as the No. 1 overall seed and reaching the Final Four. Entering Saturday’s game, the Mountaineers had won their first five games by a combined score of 62-6, with the Thunder scoring more runs than any singular opponent and the only program from a public school to hold the Mountaineers to under 10 runs.
“I’m real proud of the kids...
(but) should have been a one-run or two-run game,” Turners Falls softball coach Gary Mullins said after the game. “The kids battled well, I was very proud of the effort, but Wachusett is loaded - there’s no (weak) hitter on that team..
. I thought we played very respectfully against a quality team like that.” Having played against the Mountaineers in each of the last three season’s - including the Thunder’s walk-off win over Wachusett in 2022 - Liimatainen understands all-too-well how valuable these experiences against high-level competition are when the postseason comes around.
“For the younger girls, getting to experience playing a team as good as Wachusett is, they’re a Div. I team that is (a) top-five contender for state every single year,” the two-time D-V state champion said. “We’re able to play against this team and a lot of the younger girls got some good hits today or some good contact on the ball.
It should just give them a little bit more confidence.” Turners Falls will look to bounce back when the Thunder visit No. 18 Taconic on Monday, Apr.
21 at 4 p.m..
