Boguchis double lifts Devils in 8th
Toolbox
By POODY WALSH Herald Correspondent - Published: May 27, 2009
CHESTER — There's not much difference between these two teams.
Last Saturday Green Mountain and Poultney were involved in a tension-filled tilt that went to the Chieftains 4-3. On Tuesday the two teams went at it again and this time the Blue Devils scored twice in the eighth to even the score with a 4-2 victory.
"This was a lot of fun," said Poultney co-head coach Tony Lamberton. "That's good team over there. I enjoy playing them."
The game was significant in a lot of ways. The Blue Devils, 10-4, have been good all season and looking at a top-four finish in the statewide seedlings while the Chiefs, even with Tuesday's loss, have won seven of nine and still have a chance of a top-eight finish. Green Mountain is 8-6 and was in ninth place at game time. The Chiefs started the season at 1-3.
Poultney entered the game in fifth place in Division II and would like to finish a notch or two higher. With the opening rounds of the tourney being played at the home of the top seed it is even more significant for the Blue Devils because their field is the site of the state championship game.
Green Mountain coach Howie Paul would like to get a top-eight finish, but would not be unhappy if they didn't. "We've still got two games left and if we have to hit the road we will. I thing we've proved that we can play with the high-caliber teams," he said.
Left for the Chiefs is a night game tonight at Springfield and a Friday game at MSJ.
Poultney also has two games remaining. Today the Devils are home to Black River before closing the regular season on Thursday at MSJ.
Poultney senior hurler Katie Moyer had another strong game, but she had to share the spotlight with freshman Nicole Boguchis.
It was Boguchis who came through with a two-out, two-run double in the eighth to decide the game.
The first two batters went down quickly for the Blue Devils in the eighth. The inning was kept alive as Amanda Marcy singled up the middle and Moyer walked. Boguchis, who already had two singles in the game, drilled the second pitch she saw down the line in left, allowing both runners to score.
The win was kind of a relief for Lamberton who admitted he was getting a bit frustrated as the game went along and his team kept leaving runners on base.
"We left 15 on and that's too many," said Lamberton. "We've got to do better than that."
Moyer, who seems to use every muscle and tendon in her body with every pitch, finished with a five-hitter, striking out five and walking just one.
"Kate moved her pitches well," said Lamberton.
Green Mountain hurler Sara Groshens worked hard all game as she kept getting herself in trouble with her wildness as she walked 11 and hit four. She only gave up six hits. However, three of the batters she walked eventually scored.
"I just think she loses focus," said Paul.
Green Mountain trailed 2-1 until tying the game in the sixth when Groshens walked, stole second, went to third on an infield out and scored on Britta Kilgus' fly to short center fell untouched.
Both teams scored in the first inning as Groshens walked four Blue Devils in a row after getting the first two outs. After her fourth walk Emma Lisle came on and got a bases-loaded pop-up to get out of the inning.
In the second inning Groshens came back into the game with runners on second and third with two outs and got a big strikeout.
The scored stayed tied until the fifth when the Devils loaded the bases as Moyer walked, Boguchis singled, Emma Lamberton was hit by a pitch and Kelsi Brown brought in Moyer with a sacrifice fly.
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