Powerful pitching propels Woodland

0
260

BEACON FALLS — Woodland freshman Riley Kane couldn’t have imagined a much better start to her career as the Hawks’ starting pitcher.

Kane tossed a pair of mercy-rule no-hitters in Woodland’s first two contests of the season, a 15-0 win over Ansonia and a 19-0 victory over Sacred Heart, and added a combined 22 strikeouts in those games as the Hawks clicked on all cylinders to open the spring.

She also powered Woodland’s (2-0) offense with two doubles, a homer and four RBI.

“Riley is energetic, enthusiastic and eager to learn,” Woodland coach Loren Luddy said. “She had a great start to the season.”

Kane wasn’t the only rookie who enjoyed success in her first week. Freshman catcher Kylie Bulinski totaled five hits and eight RBI in those two victories, freshman first baseman Cassidy Doiron tallied a single, two doubles, two RBI and two runs in the win over Sacred Heart, and freshman Isabella Kraemer had two hits and two RBI against the Hearts.

Woodland’s upperclassmen didn’t let the youngsters have all the fun, though. Co-captain Liz Triana was a home run short of the cycle with two RBI in the win over the Chargers, while co-captain Steph Krebbs had two hits and three RBI in that victory.

The Hawks are set for another pair of games against city opponents Monday at Wilby and Wednesday against Crosby before returning to Naugatuck Valley League Copper Division play on Friday at Derby. That’ll be the final game before the Hawks head to Disney’s Wide World of Sports for three games on spring break.