GM boys win over Springfield while girls stumble in tough game

By Greg Hart
Sports editor

Green Mountain boys varsity baseball had a busy week with four games in five days starting with a matchup last Tuesday with Springfield at its Riverside field, winning by a 6-5 final over the Cosmos. Brighton Bischofberger pitched a strong game, going 6 2/3 innings on a very chilly afternoon with temperatures in the 40s.

“Brighton pitched very well,” GM coach Eric Anderson said. “He was able to control all his pitches and get ahead of hitters.”
The Chieftain batters were led by Jake Cavacas, with a three-run homer in the fourth. Calvin Stowell had two hits with an RBI in the second inning and Joe Epler contributed a single in the seventh, driving in two key runs to secure the winning margin.

Last Thursday, the Chiefs faced off with the Golden Horde in West Rutland winning 13-4.

GM finished the week with two games on a beautiful spring day Saturday in Chester, facing the Windsor Yellow Jackets in the first game and losing 17-4. In the second matchup of the day, the Chiefs took on Otter Valley losing 13-2.

On Monday, April 22, the Green Mountain JV boys baseball traveled to Townshend to take on Leland & Gray, winning by a 13-10 final over the Rebels. Lucas Trask got the start, pitching four innings. The Chiefs were aided by strong defensive play from Kyle Kemp and Carter Wilhelm, both manning several positions during the game.

The GM boys middle school team opened its season at home, facing off with the Presidents from Black River, and winning by a 16-10 final score. Jon Little was the starting pitcher for the Chieftains.

The week ahead

• This week the GM varsity will face off against Bellows Falls at home at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday May 1.

• The JV Boys next game begins at 4:30 p.m. Monday May 6 at home against Leland & Gray.

• Middle School baseball team has two home games this week: Thursday May 2, against Weathersfield; and Friday, May 3 against Leland & Gray. Both have a 4 p.m. start.
  

Lady Chiefs lose to Springfield, but make a good showing

The Lady Chiefs faced one of their toughest tests of the season taking on host Springfield last Tuesday, April 23 losing a tough one 4-2.

Green Mountain catcher Kristina Knockenhauer makes a play at home plate during the April 23 game against Springfield./ Photos by Kate Garaffa.

GM starting pitcher Stephanie Knockenhauer overcame some early trouble including some defensive miscues, holding off a talented Cosmos squad in the later innings. GM coach Terry Farrell commended Knockenhauer noting, “She bounced back and settled in to pitch a good game.”

The Lady Chiefs’ late rally fell just short as they couldn’t overcome a tough Cosmos pitcher and some early difficulties on defense and on the basepaths.

The Varsity then visited Bellows Falls on Thursday, April 25, winning 23-11.  After falling behind early, the Lady Chiefs recovered on the strength of back-to-back eight run innings in the fourth and fifth. Notables at the plate included Leah Bodin going 4-4 with four RBI, Madi Huntley, who went 3-6, Sasha Petrycki at  2-4 with two doubles and Mel Drummond 2-5 with a triple.

On Saturday, April 27 GM hosted Windsor.  The Lady Chiefs were behind 8-0 after five innings when they rallied with one run in the bottom half of the fifth, and five more in the sixth to closing the gap with an 8-6 score.  But with two outs in the seventh, the Yellow Jackets put the game away with a five-run outburst of their own for a final score of 14-6.  The GM bats were led by Leah Bodin who went 3-3 with a double.  Morgan Little also contributed with a pinch hit, two run double.

In middle school action, the Lady Chiefs faced Black River in their season opener, winning big with a 27-17 final. The GM offense was powered by Kassidy Cummings’ 11 RBIs, starting with a first inning grand slam followed by a three-run homer in the second. Cummings finished off her impressive day at the plate with a single and a double, each driving in two more runs.

The week ahead

• The JV team will face Burr & Burton at home beginning at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2.

• Middle School softball hosts Leland & Gray at 4 p.m. Friday, May 3.

GM kicks off golf season at Crown Point

The Green Mountain golf team opened its season on Monday, April 22 at Crown Point Country Club in Springfield, facing host Springfield as well as Rivendell and Mid Vermont Christian School.

Springfield won the team competition with a total team score of 183, followed closely by MVC with a 188, Rivendell 200 and GM 231. Individual medalist was a tie between Springfield’s Alex Rumrill and MVC’s Henry Sherman both with a 42 on the nine hole par 36 course, Crown Point’s front nine.
The Green Mountain team was led by Sam Pawlak with a team low of 50, followed by Ricky Chambers and Keegan Sheere both with a score of 60. Josh Bank fired a 61 and Matt Chambers scored a 64 to round out the GM team’s scoring.

GM golf will have a busy schedule with three meets in the week ahead, playing at Okemo Valley Golf Club this past Monday, at Lake Morey Country Club on Tuesday, then hosting at its home course, Tater Hill Country Club, on Thursday, May 2.