BETHEL -Jessie Farrington was in total command as she threw a two-hitter and struck out 10 and Telstar played near flawless defense in a 5-0 softball win over Lisbon.
Liz Rosenberg generated the offense by singling twice, and scoring three times.
Each team is playoff bound, however, ninth-ranked Telstar (8-2) earned some valuable Heal Points by knocking off No.5 Lisbon.
“I really didn’t have any concerns,” Farrington said. “I just wanted to throw strikes and let them hit the ball, because I knew our defense would make the plays behind me.” Rosenberg led off the second and fourth innings with solid hits and got into scoring position with sheer hustle on the bases. Sarah Farnum singled with two outs and Rosenberg scored on Josie Reiss single off pitcher Jen Hogan.
In the fourth, she motored in from second base, on a bunt single by Chelsea Cozzalino. The Greyhounds had failed to cover first base. Cozzalino later scored on a shot that hit off Christy McAulliff’s glove at third base.
“I just go up to the plate thinking I’m going to get a hit,” Rosenberg said. “We like to be aggressive on the basepaths. It keeps things moving and it makes (opposition) throw the ball around.”
Farrington proved effective by retiring the first nine batters before Soleil walked, and Kelley Campbell singled. The right hander bore down and struck out Siohban Riorden looking. Farrington struck out three pinch-hitters in the seventh.
“Our defense has been strong,” Telstar coach Jim Lunney said.
Lisbon (8-5) ran itself out of the fourth when Emily Merritt singled, but Telstar right fielder Kara Jacques threw out Nikki Strople, who had rounded second base.
“We didn’t have many opportunities,” Lisbon coach Mike Fortier said. “The Telstar pitcher had us and when we did get runners on base, there weren’t any key hits.”
Cozzalino (two hits) had an RBI-single in the fifth. Kimball doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth.
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