Pioneer Valley Regional hasn't had much luck against Franklin County Tech recently, but that could start to change on Monday. The Panthers will head out on the road to take on the Eagles at 4:00 p.m. Pioneer Valley Regional is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10 runs per game this season.
On Thursday, Pioneer Valley Regional made easy work of Mahar Regional and carried off a 16-3 win. The victory continues a trend for the Panthers in their matchups with the Senators: they've now won six in a row.
Luci Burnap and Jaelyn Boliski made a big impact no matter where they played. On the mound, Burnap struck out six batters over four innings while giving up just one earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). Meanwhile, Boliski tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Those six strikeouts gave Burnap a new career-high. At the plate, Burnap went 2-for-5 with four stolen bases, two RBI, and one run, while Boliski got on base in all five of her plate appearances with six stolen bases and four runs. Burnap has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times she's played.
Maggie Tsipenyuk
| 05/01/25 vs Mahar Regional | 5 |
| 04/29/25 @ Mohawk Trail Regional | 4 |
| 04/18/25 @ Mahar Regional | 3 |
| 04/25/25 @ Sabis International | 1 |
| 04/16/25 vs Northampton | 1 |
In other batting news, Maggie Tsipenyuk and Layla Goulston did most of the damage at the plate: Tsipenyuk went a perfect 4-for-4 with five RBI, two runs, and one stolen base, while Goulston got on base in four of her five plate appearances with four stolen bases, three runs, and one RBI. Those five RBI gave Tsipenyuk a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Taylor Chase, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Pioneer Valley Regional always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .625. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
Meanwhile, Franklin County Tech waltzed into their matchup on Friday with five straight wins... but they left with six. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Pioneers a 7-0 shutout. Give the Eagles' pitching crew some credit: that's the team's sixth straight shutout.
Hannah Gilbert made a splash no matter where she played. She kept things locked down with no earned runs or hits while striking out 17 over seven innings pitched. Gilbert was also stellar in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one home run, one triple, and two RBI.
Gilbert wasn't the only one making solid contact as six players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Kylee Gamache, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Abigail Dobias was another, going a perfect 1-for-1 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Franklin County Tech pushed their record up to 10-3 with the win, which was their third straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 0.0 runs on average over those games. As for Pioneer Valley Regional, the win got them back to even at 6-6.
Both Pioneer Valley Regional and Franklin County Tech just can't seem to miss. The Panthers have been making plenty of contact this season, having averaged 9.9 hits per game. However, it's not like Franklin County Tech struggles in that department as they've been averaging only 3.3 hits. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Pioneer Valley Regional might still be hurting after the 22-11 defeat they got from Franklin County Tech in their previous matchup back in April. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
