By Shane Ball
The Alvirne Broncos Varsity Softball team is still trying to find their footing after a rough 0-3 start to the season.
They opened up the season on Monday against Goffstown. Girzone got things rolling early for the Grizzlies, spelling trouble for the Broncos. She hit a single and a double in the first inning, leading to 5 total points. Girzone’s strong performance continued into the second inning with a single that led to another Goffstown score. Girzone and the Grizzlies continued to pour on the points with another five runs on two hits in the third inning.
Broncos Center Fielder Cori Sevigny (#2) hit a home run at the top of the fourth inning, giving the Broncos their first and only two runs on the day.
Broncos Pitcher Adriana Vallante (#21) took the loss for this one after 14 runs (12 earned) in three innings. Vallente ended the day with one strikeout and 11 walks. The game ended with a final score of 2-18.
Wednesday’s game wouldn’t be much better for Alvirne as they took on Concord. Crimson Tide’s Jaylyn Wessling set the tone with a grand slam at the bottom of the first inning, adding on to a run earlier thanks to a walk drawn by Kiley Taylor. The Grizzlies came out even stronger in the second inning, tacking on eight more runs on just three hits.
Broncos Shortstop Avery Willard (#5) hit a home run in the top of the fifth, giving the Broncos two runs.
Goffstown defeated Alvirne on Wednesday with a final score of 3-17.
The next day would follow a similar story as the previous two games when Salem shut out the Broncos 18-0.
After a scoreless first inning, Salem began scoring in rapid succession. A poor stretch of pitching by the Broncos in the second inning led to high scoring for the Blue Devils, who collected eight points. The Blue Devils would add to their lead in the top of the third inning with another four runs.
Salem gave up just four hits in this game, none of which turned into points for Alvirne. Salem’s 11 hits in this game led to their 18-point shutout.
A silver lining to this first week is the two home runs by two different players, Sevigny (CF) and Willard (SS). With only three upperclassmen, this team is young and still gaining experience playing together. Hopefully, there are brighter days ahead for the Broncos.
The Broncos take on Windham, Nashua South, and Exeter next week.
