Hoffmann, Wright Recognized as Athletes of the Week

The weather may be cooling off for the start of school vacation week, but this week's iBerkshires.com/Bedard Bros. Athletes of the week have their respective teams red hot as the spring season nears its midway point.

 

The Wahconah baseball team started the season 1-1 but has since won five straight.

 

Scott Hoffmann is a big reason why.

 

Hoffmann is hitting a team-best .522 this season with 12 hits in 23 at-bats. He also leads the team with 13 runs batted in and is 1-0 on the mound as a pitcher.

 

Last week against Southwick, Hoffmann struck out five in four innings of work to earn the win in a five-inning victory over Soutwick.

 

"Scott Hoffmann threw very well in this win," Wahconah coach Collin Parrott said. "I'm proud of his control and command of the zone."

 

In the batter's box last week, Hoffmann was .555 in three Wahconah wins.

 

This week, Wahconah is home on Tuedsday afternoon before playing two games on the road -- the second on Friday at 2025 state semi-finalist Drury, which dropped a 6-3 decision to Wahconah in the season opener.

 

The Hoosac Valley softball team has done nothing but win this spring. And while the Hurricanes' high-octane offense usually grabs the limelight, their stability in the circle has been a key to their success the last couple of years.

 

"She's our workhorse," Hoosac Valley coach Mike Ameen said this week. "She's been pretty much our only pitcher for the last two and a half years. We've been on a pretty good run, and she's our leader. She's our emotional leader, our spiritual leader. She picks the girls up. And she's our leadoff hitter."

 

On a team loaded with offensive talent, Wright more than holds her own, batting .353 with six RBIs.

 

This week, Gracelyn Wright was the show in the circle as she posted a perfect game in a five-inning win on Thursday.

 

She did it against a Monument Mountain team that is no slouch in the offensive department itself.

 

The Spartans are averaging nine runs per game in the four games where they have faced anyone but Wright.

 

Wright has surrendered just six runs in Hoosac Valley's last three games heading into Tuesday's rematch against Taconic, the first of two home games this week at Russell Field.

 

After playing seven of their first eight games on the road, the Hurricanes will be home for six of their last 10.

 

The iBerkshires.com Athlete of the Week is sponsored by Bedard Bros.