Raptors pick off Devils
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By Dennis Jensen Staff Writer - Published: June 3, 2009
POULTNEY — The biggest girl on the Rivendell team turned out to be the biggest player on the field
Gilliann Suich, a 6-foot-tall right-hander, pitched a gem of a complete game for the Raptors. The senior threw a three-hit shutout as Rivendell upset Poultney 4-0 in a girls Division III softball playdown at Veterans Field Tuesday.
Relying on a curve ball, a fastball and a changeup, Suich struck out eight, walked one and retired the side in order in the third, fifth and seventh innings.
"I don't want to sound conceited, but I definitely feel we have the potential to go all the way" in the Division III playoffs, she said. "We just have to get the hits and today we got them."
The No. 12, 10-6 Raptors plated their first two runs on Blue Devil miscues — a run in the first off an error and another run in the third on a dropped third strike. An RBI single by Brooke Maddock later in the third with two outs put Rivendell ahead 3-0.
The No. 5, 11-6 Blue Devils never recovered, despite the fact that senior Kate Moyer pitched a solid game.
Moyer, a righty, gave up five hits, struck out five, didn't issue a walk and retired the side in order in the second, fourth and sixth innings.
Amber Brooks went 2-for-3 with two runs and Shelby Brooks had a single and scored twice for the Raptors.
Poultney coach Tony Lamberton said his girls "have not been hitting the ball in the last three of four games" and "looked at a lot of pitches" against Rivendell.
"I thought Kate pitched a real good game," he said. "She just didn't get the support."
The Rivendell defense, meanwhile, played a heck of a game behind Suich.
"They're always there for me," she said. "They get the outs they need."
Raptor coach Lance Mills echoed Suich's comments.
"We played pretty solid defense today," he said. "Gilliann obviously had a very strong game, but she had good defense behind her."
Alexis Pratt, in center field, made several on-the-run catches for the Raptors.
Raeney Paquette, Cassie Decker and Moyer each had singles for the Blue Devils.
Paquette led off in the first with a single to center, went to second on an error on the play and stole third. But Suiche mowed down the next three batters on strikes to end the threat.
Poultney had another big chance in the second, with runners on second and third and two gone. Suiche ended that threat, again with a big strikeout.
The Blue Devils failed to get a base runner in scoring position the rest of the way.
The Raptors added another run in the seventh after Brooks led off with an infield single, went to third on a stolen base and an error and scored on another error.
Lamberton offered praise for Suich's performance, but said his girls didn't come through with their bats.
"I need to put it in perspective," he said about the end of the season. "I'm disappointed."
But Lamberton, in his first season as coach, was quick to add that he starts four freshmen and three sophomores and thinks the future looks bright for his Blue Devils.
dennis.jensen@rutlandherald.com
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