Softball team plays well in close loss

WEST RUTLAND- The  Twin Valley Middle High School varsity softball team hit the road Wednesday afternoon, heading to West Rutland High School. The Golden Horde played up to their billing, topping the visiting Wildcats 16-2.
“We didn’t play that bad,” said Twin Valley coach Jeff Putnam. “But our pitching wasn’t that hot. We walked a bunch of girls. That always comes back to get you.”
Freshman Hannah Sullivan started for Twin Valley. She had control trouble early in the game, and that allowed West Rutland to get out early and stay in control of the game.
“Hannah’s young,” said Putnam. “She’s got to get a little more confidence in herself and not hang her head when she walks a batter or two.”
Celia Betit was able to coax two walks out of West Rutland starter Elizabeth Bailey. Betit also scored a run. Sullivan went 2-4 at the plate, and Jarrett Niles had a hit. Maria Page and Niles also saw time on the mound for the Wildcats.  Bailey, Shelby Grabowski, Kiera Pipeling, and Bailey Sevigny each had a pair of hits for West Rutland. The Golden Horde moved to 11-4 on the season, good for second place in the statewide division 4 standings.
Twin Valley dropped to 0-13 and travels to Ludlow to take on Black River today. On Friday, they close the season at home against Poultney. It will be senior day for the Wildcats. Both games start at 4:30 pm.
GM 9, TV 2   
CHESTER- Friday afternoon the Twin Valley softball team played perhaps its best game to date. While it wasn’t enough to earn the Wildcats a win, it did earn them the praise of their coach.
“It was the best game we’ve played this season,” said Twin Valley coach Jeff Putnam.
The Wildcats played top-ranked Green Mountain, a team with only one loss on the season. While the hosts came away with a 9-2 win, Twin Valley came away feeling good about the effort.
“We’re improving,” said Putnam. “We only gave up three runs from the fourth inning on. We played all right on defense. It wasn’t like we’ve done, where things fell apart in the late innings.”
Freshman Hannah Sullivan started and pitched a complete game.  She struck out two batters and issued five walks. Sullivan also had a hit in three trips to the plate.  Sadie Boyd was 1-2 and scored once, Jarrett Niles had two hits and a score, and Kylie Reed had a single.
“That was all we had,” said Putnam. “We just didn’t hit that good.”