The Brattleboro Colonels' softball team forgot to read the script.
You know the one - the script about the team that loses its star pitcher and several key seniors to graduation and struggles to forge a winning team the following season.
After leading the Colonels to three state championships in four seasons, ace hurler Kayla Wood is now plying her trade for Castleton State College, and there are a number of young players to join the four returning starters from last season.
But in the opening game last Thursday against Otter Valley, the Colonels showed they are going to be a lot better than many expect.
Sophomore pitcher Hannah Wilson doesn't throw as hard as Wood, but she struck three and walked no one in throwing a complete-game five-hitter as the Colonels trounced the Otters, 7-1.
Defense was the key to the game, and three of the new players made huge plays. Second baseman Devin Millerick, a freshman, played errorless ball despite having a lot of balls hit at her. Right fielder Samantha Hamson made a great running catch in the fourth, and left fielder Casey Manning made a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch of what looked like a sure double by Otter Valley's Taylor Aines in the sixth inning.
“Hannah is not going to overpower people, so we know we have to play defense, and we have to hit,” said Colonels coach Kelly Markol. “There are still plenty of things to work on, but I loved the way we played today.”
Wilson gave up her run in the first inning but Brattleboro tied it up in the bottom half of the inning when McKinlie Carpenter scored on a passed ball. The Colonels finally broke the game open when Alex Derosia's squeeze bunt scored pinch runner Jocelyn Aither, which Millerick followed with a two-run single.
Brattleboro got the rest of its runs in the sixth on another two-run single by Millerick and a RBI groundout by Daisy Giroux.
On Saturday at Sawyer Field, the Colonels cruised to a 12-1 win over Rutland. It's only the first week of the season, but you have to feel good about this team's chances of defending their state title.
Baseball
• The start of the season wasn't as good for the Colonel boys, with three frustrating home losses last week.
In an April 9 game rescheduled at the last minute to Tenney Field, the Hartford Hurricanes blew away Brattleboro, 10-1. Hartford's Steve Cerrone threw four no-hit innings, and Jacob Perkins hit a three-run triple to break the game open in the third inning.
Brattleboro mustered little offense as the Colonels' only run came off an RBI double by Andy McPhail in the seventh inning. Dan Richardson and Kevin Tao split pitching duties for Brattleboro, combining for two strikeouts, seven walks, and 10 hits allowed.
The next day, the Colonels hosted Drury, losing 7-3 in a six-inning game called over darkness. Brattleboro starter Jimmy Mills gave up eight hits and had two walks over six innings. Drury held the Colonels scoreless until the final two innings. Rob Heileman, Ryan McAuliffe, and Chris McAuliffe all had hits for the hosts.
Last Saturday's 15-14 loss to Rutland may have been the most frustrating of all. Brattleboro had a 7-2 lead heading into the third inning, when Rutland scored seven runs and chased starting pitcher Kassidi Ramirez, who walked 10 batters to take the loss.
Chris McAuliffe finished the game in relief ,and fared no better. Walks and errors allowed Rutland to score five more runs in the fifth and another run in the sixth.
Brattleboro rallied but failed to close the gap. Chris McAuliffe went 4-for-4 with a double, triple, and one RBI. Tao had a double and two RBIs, and Gene Buckley went 3-for-3. Ryan McAuliffe hit a three-run homer to left in the bottom of the seventh to get Brattleboro within a run, and Richardson had a solo home run to left in the fifth.
• Bellows Falls pulled a tough assignment for its opener in taking on Otter Valley, the defending Division II champs, and lost, 6-1, at Hadley Field last Friday. Even though the Otters graduated a lot of seniors, they still have plenty of good players. Otter Valley got 10 hits off losing pitcher Zach Streeter and reliever Carson Fullam.
Boys' lacrosse
• There's a lot of churn on the Brattleboro roster this season, as more than 20 players from last season have departed and 19 new players are filling out this year's 27-man roster. In the Colonels' opening game, a 13-8 loss at Northampton, Mass., it was the familiar faces from last year that carried the load.
The attacking line of senior Sam Siegel (five goals) and juniors Tanner Freeman and Brennen Zolnoski (a goal each) scored all but one of Brattleboro's goals. Freshman midfielder Jack Gagnon got the other goal. Senior goalie Bryce Fletcher, a converted midfielder, made three saves in his first game between the pipes.
Sunrise Rotary tourney raises more than $9,000
• Twenty-one teams participated in this year's 18th annual Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary “Nothing but Net” 3-on-3 basketball tournament held March 15 at the Brattleboro Union High School and Middle School gymnasiums.
Teams competed for prizes and prestige in this annual tournament, the net proceeds of which - more than $9,000 - will go directly to funding scholarships to graduating seniors, continuing college students, and adults seeking higher education.
The tourney drew four-person teams in high school and adult divisions. The grand prize for the adult division players was $100 cash. Each division winner earned a medal and bragging rights.
First-place adult division winners were Troy Snell, Ted Knutson, Loren Kelly, and Jeremy Thomas in the men's division. The high school boys' winners were Garrett Hudson, Connor Eckstrom, Robin Marchese, and Parker Hickey. Winner of the 3-point contest was Liam Perra. Free-throw contest champion was Connor Elliot-Knaggs.
Scholarships are open to anyone in the greater Brattleboro area seeking post-secondary education. Criteria are based financial need, academic performance, community service, and a written essay. Applications will be available in the coming month at www.brattleborosunriserotary.org.
Spring Into Health event marks fifth year
• Registration is open for the fifth annual “Spring Into Health” 5K on Saturday, May 10, sponsored by Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend.
The event is open to all, whether you run, jog, walk, roll, or stroll. For runners and race walkers, there is a 5K course. For walkers and strollers, there is a 1.5-mile walking course. All participants are timed. New this year: a free Fun Run for kids ages 8 and under on the Townshend Common, starting at 9:15 a.m.
The 5K run and the 1.5-mile walk both start at 8:30 a.m. on the Common (rain or shine). The two courses go up Route 35 and back, ending at the Common. Healthy snacks and water are available.
Participants can register at www.gracecottage.org/events or by calling 802-365-9109. Online registration closes at noon on Wednesday, May 7. Registration fee is $15 for adults; $10 for those 13 and under; the Fun Run is free. The first 150 paid registrants receive a free T-shirt. Parking is across the street at Leland & Gray High School.