HATFIELD — Coming off a season-opening loss to Sabis last week, the Smith Academy softball team looked to build momentum against McCann Tech, the top team in the Bi-County West.
The Hornets came into Friday afternoon’s game undefeated, including a win over Sabis. Although the Falcons came up short, falling to McCann 7-4, there were plenty of positives to take away from a game in which they hung in against the league-leading Hornets.
“I think they have more confidence compared to the first game,” Smith Academy coach Phil Genovese said of his team. “It’s starting to click.”
The Hornets (4-0, 3-0 Bi-County West) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Falcons weren’t fazed as Erin Gilrein answered with two-run home run to give Smith Academy (0-2, 0-2) an early lead and a reason to be confident.
The Falcons held the Hornets to one run in the second, but McCann broke out in the third.
McCann opened the top of the third grounding out before Kiera Kuplec was walked. Ayrian Quinones tripled to give the Hornets a 3-2 lead. The Hornets went on to score three additional runs, taking advantage of several passed balls in the process.
“That was the difference,” Genovese said of the third inning. “The passed balls were the difference. After that we gave three runs up on mistakes and if that doesn’t happen we’re tied.”
The Falcons fought back by scoring runs in the fourth and fifth to pull within 6-4. The Hornets added an insurance run in the sixth to hold on to their 7-4 advantage.
Smith Academy starting pitcher Bailey McCoy made several plays with runners on base to get out of innings relatively unscathed, including catching a line drive sent right back at her in the fifth. After allowing two runners on base in the seventh, McCoy switched positions with right fielder Amanda Novak, who eventually induced an inning-ending fly ball to right.
The Falcons had five hits and reached base in each of the first five innings, a solid improvement from their season opener.
“That was only our second game this year, against the best team in the league and we stayed right with them,” Genovese said. “Our pitching was good, our defense was good, and we hit well, especially Erin hitting the home run.”
Following the game, the increased confidence, energy, and sense of accomplishment for what’s to come this season was palpable. This game was just the boost of confidence that the Falcons needed heading into a pivotal three-game week.
“We’ve got Renaissance then Pope Francis on Monday and Tuesday,” Genovese said introducing the importance of the week ahead. “Then we play Hopkins, our rival, on Thursday so we’re going to be ready for them. We look forward to the rest of the season and playing the best we can.”