RallyNorth.net

Hart, Brooks rally past Phillips

Tuesday, April, 15 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

What was supposed to be a classic pitching duel never took place, but both teams had reason to be somewhat satisfied after Brooks' dramatic 7-5 victory over Phillips Academy in Andover yesterday afternoon.

Any win over Phillips is a highlight for Brooks, of course, even if Big Blue ace Michelle Hollebeke was unavailable with a knee injury. Phillips, on the other hand, could take satisfaction in taking a 5-3 lead into the seventh inning against Brooks ace Britt Hart, last year's Eagle-Tribune MVP.

But Phillips coach Peter Drench felt that the Big Blue should have prevailed, Hollebeke or no Hollebeke.

"We were short-handed, but you can't use that as an excuse, said Drench. "You play with who you've got, and we felt we had the opportunity to win."

In fact, in a game in which defense was shaky on both teams, two of Brooks' four runs in the seventh were unearned. Hart, who led both teams with three hits, opened the inning with a single and pinch-hitter Kristen Sullivan of Salem had a pivotal RBI single and later scored in the rally.

Monica Berube and Kelly Toomey both had a pair of RBIs for Brooks, which improved to 3-1.

"It wasn't the kind of game we expected, but we're happy to win it," said Brooks coach Peter Drench.

Phillips had taken a 5-3 lead with three runs in the fourth and two runs in the sixth. Leadoff batter Sarah Onorato was 2 for 3 and scored twice and both Stephanie Clegg and Sarah Boylan both had RBI hits and scored a run.

The first four Big Blue hitters had five hits off Hart, but the next five batters in the order were 0 for 15 with 11 strikeouts. Hart finished with 13 strikeouts and didn't walk a batter.

"It's tough when you feel like you have a chance to win, but it was a good softball game," said Drench. "We felt like we could hit her (Hart) and we'd love to get another opportunity."

The two teams could meet again in the Big East Tournament, May 17-18.