MVI Senior Swing: Falcons FP tops Ram Juniors to claim opening win

By Dean Dellamalva Jr.

MVI Sports

The sun was in their eyes and dirt was in their socks; however, none of them cared. Local softball players were finally back on the diamond Tuesday, doing what they love.

Falcons Fast Pitch used a big third inning effort to take down Rams Fast Pitch, 16-4, on opening day of the Mon Valley Independent Senior Swing softball tournament at the Perryopolis Athletic Fields. 

Falcons Fast Pitch, which honored seniors Chai Diggs, Payton Hall, Jenna Bodnovich and Savannah Urban prior to game time, scored 10 runs in the third to catapult it to the lopsided win. 

“(Our seniors) were very disappointed, when we first found out it was crushing to these girls,” Falcons coach Jane Bock said, referring to the spring season being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “These seniors are a special group to me because they’ve been together all four years and they are a close knit group.”

Both teams were excited to get back on the field, especially the young Rams who are relishing the opportunity to sharpen their skills against experienced competition.

“This is really good, I did not think we were going to get any time to play,” said Rams Fast Pitch Juniors coach Natalie Adams. “At least we have this tournament, which is pretty cool. The girls are excited to play and I am excited for them that they get to play, too.”

Once play began, it was the Rams who jumped out early. However, it all fell apart in the third inning.

Deadlocked in a 3-3 game entering the fateful third, the Falcons brought 16 batters to the plate.

Kami Franks led off with a sharply hit fly ball that the Rams’ centerfielder could not handle.

Kendra Franks and Aubri Haggett followed up with singles to left, scoring Kami.

Rams pitcher Ali Bianchi, who had pitched well up to that point, walked the next three batters, resulting in two more runs being plated.

She was replaced by Cassidy Kunkel, who did not fare much better. Diggs and Hall hit back-to-back singles. Halls’ shot hit the fence in left field on the fly. 

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