ADDISON COUNTY — All four area high school softball teams posted key wins earlier this week as the regular season neared its end. The regular season ends this week, and the Vermont Principals’ Association will announce playoff pairings on Monday.
TIGERS
On Tuesday, Tiger hurler Payton Buxton continued her recent hot streak by tossing a no-hitter at visiting BFA-St. Albans as MUHS (12-2) defeated the Comets, 2-0, and passed BFA (12-3) in the Division I standings to move into fourth place. The Tigers, winners of seven straight, can potentially move higher in the standings with wins at Burlington on Thursday and at North Country on Friday. The Comets could help by defeating 12-2 Colchester on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Buxton allowed just one batter to reach, that by an error. MUHS scored its runs in the second on a walk and base hits by Lily Smith, MaKayla Foster andAlly Larocque.
EAGLES
Also on Tuesday, Mount Abe (12-3) strengthened its hold on first place in D-II with a 9-5 win over visiting St. Johnsbury. Rachael McCormick earned the pitching win, allowing four hits and fanning 12, and poked three hits. Dani Forand homered and singled for Mount Abe, and Katelynn Ouellette andJenna McArdle each doubled and singled. The Eagles wrap up by hosting Spaulding on Thursday.
COMMODORES
On Monday, the Commodores defeated host Milton, 6-3, as the Yellowjackets committed a number of errors, two of them before winning pitcher Tamara Aunchman belted an RBI triple in the sixth inning, one of her four hits. Aunchman scattered nine hits, striking out eight, and Felicia Armell singled twice and scored two runs as VUHS improved to 7-8 heading into a Wednesday home game vs. North Country. Milton hurler Katie Rayner fanned 12 and allowed six hits.
OTTERS
On Monday, the Otters defeated host Hartford, 7-3, in nine innings. Gabby Poalino, who doubled to lead off the top of the ninth, stole home with the go-ahead run when the Otters failed to put down a suicide squeeze bunt, and then OV tacked on three insurance runs.
Courtney Bushey earned the complete-game win, striking out seven and walking one. Amy Jones led the OV attack with four hits, and Poalino stroked two hits as OV moved to 7-8 heading into a Wednesday home game with 11-3 Springfield. Hartford dropped to 7-8.