By Keith Harrington
I don’t know if Whitehall’s Madi Gould is a Star Wars fan, but she does wear the #4 on her jersey. So it is only natural to believe that Gould would do something special on “May the Fourth Be With You,” day. She did not disappoint.
Gould blasted the first pitch of the game over the fence in center field, and the Railroaders went on to defeat Hudson Falls 6-1 in a non-league contest. Gould also fired a pitching gem that was as epic as the George Lucas movie franchise.
Despite a long layoff due to the wet weather, the area has experienced this week, Whitehall came roaring out of the gate.
After Gould’s solo homer, Ava Ruby beat out an infield hit. Next, Khloe Paddock doubled into the gap in right-center field to put runners on second and third. Vinna Jensen then smacked a home run to left field to make it 4-0.
“There’s not much to say about it. I just saw a ball I liked,” Jensen explained after the game.
Jensen’s home runs seem to leave the park at laser-like speed. When asked how she gets the ball to fly out of the park in such a hurry, Jensen only had one brief explanation.
“I don’t know. I work out, Jensen said with a laugh.
Rain has made it difficult for the Railroaders to get into the rhythm they usually are in at this point of the season.
“Yesterday we practiced outside in the rain. I said to them no other team is outside practicing in the rain right now,” Whitehall co-coach Tim Martindale said.
So what motivated the Railroaders to practice in the rain?
“Determination,” Jensen said. “And we don’t want to practice late at night.”
Meanwhile, Gould was doing what she does. The senior struck out five of the first six batters before giving up a bloop single to Lily Bump in the third. Gould finished with a three-hitter and 19 strikeouts.
Anna Winter accounted for the only Tiger’s run with a solo shot in the fifth. Madalyn Dudley added a single.
Paddock went 3 for 4 for Whitehall. Jensen was 2 for 4. Ruby and Blake Bird also contributed two hits each.
Whitehall is now 8-1 on the season and is right back in action today with a key Adirondack League game at Warrensburg.
Hudson Falls is 7-6.
