By Brianna Deasy and Chloe Patel
Walpole Rebels Varsity Softball (10-1) secured their spot in the Division I MIAA tournament by defeating the Natick Red Hawks on May 7.
“We had seen Natick a week before and knew what to expect,” said senior Kate Wilmot, the starting pitcher for the Rebels.
At the end of the first inning, the Rebels led 4-2. By the end of the second inning, the Rebels were ahead by 7 runs and the score was 10-3. Junior catcher Kiera McInerney hit a triple during the second, and junior Jacqui Mulcahy hit a home run to conclude the inning.
“We all play so well together and we all get along so well so it makes playing with each other that much easier,” said Mulcahy.
The Rebels led 10-7 at the end of the fifth inning. By the end of the sixth, the Rebels gained 3 more points, and the Red Hawks only scored one, and the score was 13-8. During the last 3 innings of the game, senior Eva Keyes pitched for the Rebels.
In this game the Rebels allowed the opposing team to gain eight runs on them, but in order to improve for the tournament, they plan to focus on defense for the rest of the season.
“The girls have been crushing the ball,” said Head Coach Rachel Sprague, “but we have tighten up our defense. Against good teams we’re not going to be able to give up 8 runs.”
In addition to beating Natick, the Rebels topped the Newton North Tigers 6-3 last night to improve their record to 10-1.
“If we play the way we have been no one can stop us,” said Kate Wilmot. “We can go really far in tournament."