HADLEY — Hopkins Academy softball players shot confetti shot into the air after cruising past Smith Vocational, 17-0 in five innings, Thursday afternoon.
As confetti rained down, the Golden Hawks celebrated their Western Massachusetts Division 3 Tournament first-round win. It was Hopkins’ first postseason appearance and win since 2012.
“We have worked so hard for the past few years trying to really build up this program,” Hopkins coach Paula Cristoforo. “It’s taken some time to get all the pieces together, but I’m really proud of all of these girls and all of their hard work.”
The hard work throughout the season led to a 12-6 record, the No. 6 seed and a home game against No. 11 Smith Vocational.
“We have a lot of community support behind us again and it feels good,” Cristoforo added.
On a team with no seniors and just two juniors, the young Golden Hawks have taken early steps toward establishing a winning culture.
“Seeing the environment around the school and seeing the energetic feelings that we all have is really cool to experience,” junior Olivia Brighenti said of her first postseason. “I think it’s amazing how much we’ve grown, especially since last year.”
Maegan Quinlan (2-for-2, two RBIs) set the tone for her teammates in the first inning, throwing a 1-2-3 frame and knocking in the game’s first run with a single.
Quinlan allowed only one hit over five innings in the win. She struck out two and walked none.
“I was really proud of my pitcher today, Maegan Quinlan, who’s worked really hard in the offseason to learn how to throw a variety of pitches,” Cristoforo said. “It really panned out for her today, and she did an amazing job.”
The scoring picked up after a two-run first for Hopkins. A two-run single by Macy Ring (two walks, two runs) was the start of a six-run second. In the third, the Golden Hawks added five more runs.
“We were just able to execute,” Cristoforo said. “We played great defense and actually hit really well.”
Smith Vocational struggled with pitch control and defense as multiple runs came home on wild pitches or passed balls. The Vikings finished with eight errors.
“We’re a really young team,” Smith Vocational coach Nelson Lacey said. “I think we had a few botches here and there that made a big difference.”
Smith Vocational (9-12) had only four players return from their 2017 Tri-County League championship team. Kim Mullings had Smith’s lone hit.
“Being a really young team, I couldn’t be more proud of them getting here first of all, and making it through and coming out the other side better players for it,” Lacey said.
Hopkins added four more runs in the fourth, and Quinlan struck out two of the final three batters to secure the victory.
Hopkins will play at No. 3 McCann Tech (16-4), Monday at 4 p.m. The Golden Hawks were swept in their two meetings with McCann Tech this season.
“We’ve seen McCann a couple of times. They are a great team, and they’re coached very well,” Cristoforo said. “I think what we’re gonna have to do is try and mix up some of the things that we do.”