CHASING DOWN THE BALL … Hilltop first baseman Maggie Altman chases down a popup in foul territory.
(PHOTOS BY BREANA RELIFORD / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
BIG HIT … Montpelier senior Kelsie Bumb clubs a two-run triple in the fourth inning of the Locos 4-0 win over Hilltop.
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
sports@thevillagereporter.com
MONTPELIER (April 24, 2025) – Montpelier took a huge step toward a BBC title as they used a four-run fourth inning and a strong performance in the circle by Madelyn Hopper to knock off the reigning BBC champ Hilltop 4-0.
Hilltop had opportunities to break through first in the second and fourth innings, but both times were turned away.
In the second, Brooklyn Kuszmaul walked and Hilltop starting pitcher Giada Rising laid down a bunt single to open the inning, but Hopper came back to strike out the next three batters to end the inning.
Hilltop again put two aboard in the fourth as Kuszmaul singled, and M. Altman drew a walk to put two on with one out.
Hopper responded after a pass ball allowed the runners to move up to second and third, she would get I. Ackley and Sophia Graham both swinging to end the threat.
Montpelier finally got to Rising, who allowed just one base runner in the first three innings, in the fourth as M. Jacob and Lyla Mahan singled to lead off the inning.
A Hopper groundball to second resulted in an error to score Jacob and Kelsie Bumb tripled on a fly ball to right to bring home two more runs and make it 3-0.
Jada Uribes followed with the final RBI on the night as she lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Bumb and stretch the Loco lead to 4-0.
The Cadets tried to put together a rally in the seventh with Halle Jones and Kenley Routt going back-to-back with two out singles, but Routt was caught trying to advance to second after a throw to third to try and get Jones to end the game.
Hopper grabbed the win for the Locos with six hits allowed and 11 strikeouts in her seven innings of work.
Rising took the loss, allowing just four hits on the night, three coming in the fourth inning, and Jones led the Hilltop hitters with three singles.
HHS 000 000 0 – 0 7 2
MHS 000 400 X – 4 4 1
Records: HHS 13-3, 3-1 BBC; MHS 9-5, 4-0 BBC
WINNING PITCHER: Hopper (7 innings, 6 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 11 strikeouts)
LOSING PITCHER: Rising (6 innings, 4 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts)
LEADING HITTERS: (Hilltop) Jones – 3 singles; Routt – 2 singles; (Montpelier) Bumb -triple, 2 RBIs