Article by: Tom Nappi
Momentum shifts, offensive interference, ejections, questionable calls, humidity, crazy plays are things that all occurred as Hopkinton battled Norwood in their Senior Day game. Norwood took the wild, long game 14 to 9.
Fans got their moneys-worth Wednesday evening as the Hillers celebrated Senior Night and then took on Norwood in a game that lasted a little over 2 and a half hours. Norwood rallied in the top of the 1st plating 3 runs. Molly Fredricks (FR) drove in Shannon Gover (JR) and Caeli Reed (JR) with a single. Fredricks then stole 2nd forcing a Hillers error which scored Maddie Collins. Norwood held the 3-0 lead heading into the top of the 2nd.
In the top of the 2nd, Natalie Gale (FR) scored on an error, Caeli Reed hit an RBI single and Shannon Gover (JR) scored on an error for another 3 runs for Norwood. Hillers scored a couple of their own runs in the bottom of the inning courtesy of Julianna Ceddia (JR) who ripped a double to center field to score Tara Kester (SR) and Katherine Morse (SR).
In the top of the 3rd, Athena Alexopoulus (SO) drove in Nathalie Gale (FR) with a single to make it a 7-2 game. The Hillers responded in the bottom of the 3rd, Kristin McCluskey (SR) singled to drive in Emily Jurasek (JR), Caroline DeSimone (SO) doubled to drive in McCluskey. After DeSimone stole 3rd, Tara Kester hit a sacrifice RBI groundout for the 3rd and final run of the inning. Norwood led 7 to 5 after 3.
In the Top of the 4th, Norwood broke the game open plating 6 runs. Maddie Collins (FR) had a sacrifice fly to drive in Caeli Reed. Relief Pitcher, Katelyn Flynn (JR) singled to score Federico, Alexopoulus walked with bases loaded to drive in a run, Gover and Reed hit RBI singles to cap off the 6 run half-inning for Norwood.
The Hillers made it a 13-9 game in the bottom of the 6th with a 3 run half-inning but Pitcher, Athena Alexopoulus was able to hold down the fort after Katelyn Flynn got ejected for arguing strike-zone and Norwood took the game 14 to 9. Norwood improves to 8 and 6 with the win, while the Hillers fall to 10 and 4.
Norwood next hosts Medfield Thursday (6/10) at 3:45pm while Hopkinton hosts Holliston Friday (6/11) at 3:45pm.
Notable Stats:
R-H-E
Norwood 14-11-1
Hopkinton 9-8-6
Norwood
Athena Alexopoulos 1-3, 2R, RBI, BB
Shannon Gover 2-4, 2R, 2RBI, BB, K
Caeli Reed 2-3, 2R, 2RBI, 2BB
Madison Collins 0-2, R, RBI, BB
Molly Federico 3-4, 2R, 2RBI, BB
Katelynn Flynn 1-2, R, RBI
Natalie Gale 1-2, 3R, RBI, 2BB, K
Jillian Olbrys 1-4, R
Pitching
Athena Alexopoulos 3.1IP, 5H, 5R, 5ER, 2BB
Katelynn Flynn 1.0IP
Grace DiLeo 2.2IP, 3H, 4R, 4ER, K, BB
Hopkinton
Emily Jurasek 1-4, R
Kristin McCluskey 1-3, 2R, RBI
Caroline DeSimone 2-4, R, 4RBI
Tara Kester 0-3, R, RBI, BB
Katherine Morse 0-1, R, BB
Carly Stevens 1-4, R, K
Julianna Ceddia 2-2, R, 2RBI, BB
Jasmine Battikha 1-2, R, RBI
Pitching
Julianna Ceddia 6IP, 7H, 8R, 5ER, 3K, 8BB
Charlotte Cann 1IP, 4H, 6R, 6ER, 2BB
Watch Game (Courtesy: HCAM (Hopkinton Local Access)
