Softball

Matt Whalen
Editor-in-Chief

After a slow start, the Hudson Valley softball team is coming together putting together a 3-1 record last week.
“Over this past week as a whole we are meshing much more, our bats are starting coming alive,” said sophomore infielder Shannon Johnson.
The Viking’s traveled to Mohawk Valley splitting the series against the Hawks. On Saturday, the team traveled to Broome sweeping them in both games extending their record to 6-4 on the season.
“We had our bumps along the way, but we worked out some kinks, tweaked some stuff and we’re all working together now,” said sophomore infielder Hannah Hoffman.
The team dominated against broome with power pitching as well as power hitting.
Dana Julian recorded six strikeouts against Broome getting her third win on the season. Ashley Robinson also picked up her third win of the season against Broome only allowing three hits.
The bats came alive as leading hitter, Hannah Mochrie who sat in the second game against Mohawk Valley due to injury came back and hit her fourth and fifth homer of the season against Broome later that week.
Johnson recorded her first homer of the season against Broome after getting hit by pitch several times against Mohawk Valley.
“Personally, with the help of coach fitz, I am working on tweaking the little things that I need to do in order to get more solid hits,” said Johnson. “Specifically at Broome, I felt like my bat was coming along. I am beginning to mature as a player and preparing to play at my four year school.”
Adding to the teams latest success is speedy Mercedes Martell and Courtney McDonnell who lead the team in stolen bases both in double digits. The two have also contributed several homers as well.
The team has eight returning players from last season that know what it feels like to play in Nationals and knows what it takes to get there.
“The biggest difference between this season and last season is that we know we are talented enough to make it to Nationals,” Said Hoffman. “Last year we thought it was out of our reach until we started winning games, and earning our spot in Nationals.”
The Viking’s head into this week with six games. They will face Clinton on Tuesday away, Fulton-Montgomery on Thursday at home, and end the week away against Corning.