Bradford, Vt.
The center-field landing spot was later tape-measured at 270 feet and the ball rolled an additional 50 feet or so, coming to rest beyond a grove of four large trees near the school building. The freshman’s solo blast put her team up by five runs en route to a 9-2 victory over Lyndon and sealed its first undefeated regular season.
“She’s powerful, isn’t she?” said 26th-year Oxbow coach Robin Wozny, whose squad will seek to capture its third Vermont Division III championship when the playoffs begin next week. “That’s the longest one I’ve ever seen hit here.
“We’ve played small ball for the last five years, but after the second game of the season, I asked these guys and they said they wanted to be a hitting team.”
Wozny expects the Olympians to receive a first-round playoff bye, but wasn’t completely sure Saturday because the number of participating teams had yet to be announced. Regardless, there will be no sneaking up on anyone after a campaign in which Oxbow has outscored opponents, 241-22, and posted five shutouts.
“I like to be the underdog because then we have motivation,” Wozny said. “It’s harder to keep a team that’s on top from letting down. Everyone wants a shot at you.”
In addition to her solo home run, Fornwalt hit a three-run version in the first inning and finished with three hits and four RBIs. The physically-imposing rookie plays for the New Hampshire Lady Cannons outside of high school competition and was greeted at home plate after her round-trippers by her teammates’ chants of “She’s a freshman!”
Bailee Wheeler had a two-run double for Oxbow, which earned its division’s No. 1 seed with a 14-2 record last season but exited in the quarterfinals. The Olympians were 15-1 and reached the semifinals in 2014. The program won state crowns in 2013 and 2003 and finished second in 2010.
Goffstown, n.h.
The visitors led, 2-0, after two innings but trailed, 3-2, after three frames and their three-run rally in the seventh fell short. The Marauders had six hits but stranded seven runners. Marc Hampers and Avery Monaghan each had one hit and two RBIs.
Kegan Silovich went the distance on the mound, allowing 11 hits and eight earned runs while striking out one Grizzly and walking three. Hanover, which has been eliminated from NHIAA Division II playoff contention, is 9-24 the past two seasons.
Wells River
Nicholas Howe, Dalton McDougall and Dominic Small each had three hits, the former producing four RBIs. McDougall started on the mound and allowed six hits and three runs during 5 innings of work. He struck out eight Bucks and walked two.
West Rutland, Vt.
The visitors were up, 7-3, before allowing the Golden Horde to score three times in its final at-bat.
Joe Bianchi started for Woodstock, allowing three hits and three runs, one of them earned, during 4 innings of toil. He struck out one opponent and walked two.
Wells River
Clarendon, Vt.
Gabbi Rozumek had three hits, including two doubles, and Hannah Reali and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick also contributed three hits each. Riley Smith pitched and allowed 11 hits while striking out four Minutewomen and walking one.
Bristol, n.h.
Stevens senior Matt Gobin was eighth in the 100 meters (12.06), seventh in the 200 (24.23) and second in the 110 high hurdles (15.83). He also helped the Cardinals’ 4×100 relay team to a fifth-place finish in 46.49. Stevens junior Parker Smith was fourth at 5 feet, 10 inches in the high jump and third in the shot put at 41-5.
Mascoma’s Ben Jones was ninth in the 1,600 (4:45.93) and the 3,200 (10:40.36). Teammate Sheldon Farnsworth was fifth in the long jump at 19-05. Newport’s Peter Thibault claimed third in the discus (122-1).
Stevens senior Alyson Lizotte was third in the 100 meters (13.78) and second in the 400 (61.82). Sunapee’s Maryann Cousens finished ninth in the 800 (2:38.19) and was part of the Lakers’ 4×400 relay team that was seventh (4:42.13) and the 4×800 quartet that was sixth (11:04.16).
Essex, Vt.
Hartford’s Matthew Phipps was sixth in the 1,500 (4:22.55) and 11th in the 3,000 (9:37.36). Thetford’s Chris Parenteau finished fourth in the 110 hurdles (16.00) and eighth in the 300 hurdles (43.38). Oxbow’s Jon Puffer was runner-up in the pole vault (11-06) and Whitcomb’s Harrison Allen was seventh in the long jump (19.05.75).
Windsor’s Katey Comstock was second in the shot put (37-09) and discus (121-02). Hartford’s Julia Anderson was fourth in the latter event (109-07). Woodstock’s Grace Vollers finished third in the 600 (113-09) and Hartford’s Ileana Sirois was third in the 100 hurdles (16.39) and fourth in the long jump (15-09).
Woodstock’s Anna Dieffenbach produced a sixth-place finish in the high jump (4-11). Thetford’s 4×800 squad of Dylan Thorburn, Malcom Silver-Vanmeter, Clifford Ransom and Julio Lopez had the best performance among area relay teams, crossing the line in fourth (8:33.30).
Chester, Vt.
Andrew Daley, Nick Dorain, Nate Lemieux and Ben Rouillard each had a goal and Lemieux had two assists. Matt Lucke also had an assist and Chris Dorain stopped seven shots. Hartford will begin pursuit of the inaugural Vermont Division III title next week.
Rutland
Chester, Pa.
Jacksonville, Fla.
The top five runners from each of the two sections plus the next two-fastest times earned the right to make up the 12 individuals who run in the semifinals June 9 at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field. Giordano previously reached the nationals in the 5,000 meters.
Dartmouth Runner 14th
Jacksonville, Fla.