Playoff Loss Ends Encouraging Season

Despite falling 15-0 to #1-seeded New Hampton, the #4-seeded Kimball Union Wildcats played a strong game and capped off an encouraging season that saw tremendous improvement. Senior Chloe Rourke-Nicholas, helped by classmate Scout Beaupre's excellent defense at shortstop, held New Hampton off the board in the first inning, while KUA squandered a leadoff walk by Maddy Haynes to keep the game scoreless into the second. New Hampton chipped away, scoring three times in the second to take the lead before breaking the game open with single after single in the third. The Wildcat defense was strong, but the balls found the outfield green enough for New Hampton to rally for double digits in the inning. In the top half of the fifth, KUA got a leadoff single from senior Seana Perkins, followed by a double by junior Olivia Larose, but the Wildcats could not advance them home. Despite the loss, the future looks bright for KUA softball. The loss of Perkins, Rourke-Nicholas, Beaupre, and fellow senior Hannah McGrath leaves a big hole, but the emergence of freshmen Abby Flanagan, Shannon Moran, and Audrey Donahue is a significant boon for the team. In addition, sophomores Molly French, who adds athleticism and versatility, Lu Rodriguez, who went 1-for-2 at the plate in her at-bats, and Casey McCauley, who was solid on the mound all season, give KUA reliable depth. Juniors Katherine Lawton, Kate Mackey, Maddy Haynes, and Olivia Larose will help lead the way as the Wildcats look to climb the ranks of the Lakes Region.
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