Lopez walks off Mohawk to sweep Mountaineers

By: Fernando Bossoes
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE – It has been eight years since Humber softball (10-0, 1^st OCAA) last lost to the Mohawk Mountaineers (0-8, 8^th OCAA), holding a near-perfect 24-1 record. And Sunday was no different, as the Hawks cruised to another doubleheader sweep. Second-year infielder Victoria Lopez came through in the clutch late in the second game, delivering a walk-off to secure the win for Humber.

Game one (Humber 2, Mohawk 0)

Back at Connorvale Park to close out a four-game homestand, Humber softball found itself with a prime opportunity against the struggling Mohawk Mountaineers. Entering the twin bill winless at 0-6 and sitting at the bottom of the standings, Mohawk had already fallen to Humber earlier in the season in back-to-back double-digit losses, including a mercy-rule defeat. With Durham and St. Clair splitting their series the day before, a strong result here could give the Hawks a comfortable edge atop the OCAA standings.

Shade Hansen got the start and kept things under control at the top of the innings. The Humber ace was unstoppable from the start, recording six strikeouts by the end of the third frame.

Humber's bats took some time to get going. In the bottom of the third, with Peyton Fitzgerald in scoring position and Victoria Lopez on second, Shea Hilpert stepped up and drove Fitzgerald in with a sacrifice fly. Lopez did not stay behind, scoring on a Mountaineer's defensive error to give Humber a 2-0 lead.

The Hawks managed three more hits throughout the game, but could not add any more runs. In the top of the seventh, Hansen slammed the door shut with a three-up, three-down inning to secure a 2-0 victory in the first game of the twin bill.

Hansen was named the Player of the Game in game one, recording seven strikeouts over seven innings pitched.

Game two (Humber 9, Mohawk 8)

Looking to sweep the Mountaineers and claim sole possession of the top spot in the OCAA standings, head coach Duaine Bowles gave Michaela Brown her first start of the year. A single to right field rattled the Hawks' defence, and defensive miscues allowed the Mountaineers to get on the scoreboard early, jumping ahead 2-0.

Mohawk added two more runs in the top of the third, increasing the pressure on the Hawks. In the bottom half, Humber proved the ball game was far from over. Despite two outs, second-year player Marlee Greer confidently stepped into the box and smashed an RBI double to deep right field, trimming the lead to 4-2.

The Mountaineers tried to dash Humber's hopes by adding a fifth run at the top of the fifth, but both Greer and Reese Velocci delivered RBI singles to keep Humber in the game. With the bases loaded and two outs, Claudia Hansen drove in two more runs with a single to right field, giving the Hawks their first lead of the game at 6-5.

Mohawk quickly answered in the next frame, regaining an 8-6 advantage with three runs, including a two-run homer. But the Hawks were not ready to give up.

Victoria Lopez singled, then advanced home on three wild pitches to close the deficit. Greer notched her fourth RBI with a single, tying the game 8-8 heading into the seventh.

Rookie pitcher Maddy Friesen, who came in relief in the sixth, kept nerves in check with two crucial strikeouts, giving Humber the chance to clinch a win.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Lopez delivered again with a powerful hit to left field, sealing a dramatic 9-8 victory for the Hawks.

Clutch player Lopez was named the Player of the Game, going three-for-four at the dish, recording one RBI and two runs.

Humber Highlights

• The Hawks improve to 40-5 all-time against the Mountaineers.
• Humber boasts a near-perfect 26-1 all-time record against Mohawk at Connorvale Park.
• The Hawks have not dropped a game to the Mountaineers since 2017, a 20-game streak.
• Reese Velocci sits third in the OCAA with a .583 batting average.
• Marlee Greer matched her career high with four RBIs.
• Shade Hansen leads the OCAA with 41 strikeouts, surpassing the total strikeouts of five teams in the league.

What's Next?

Humber now gears up for Windsor, where they will face the St. Clair Saints (9-3, 3^rd OCAA) in a doubleheader on Saturday, Sept. 27. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m.