In first varsity start, Berger continues CVU’s win streak

Things on the diamond are sparkling so far for Champlain Valley, with the Redhawks’ baseball team undefeated after its first five games.

Although encouraged, assistant coach Sam Fontaine is not taking anything for granted.

“It has been great to see the success we have had, and we have not even played our best yet,” Fontaine said. “Our schedule from here on out will be a real grind, playing at least three times a week. We just have to take it one game at a time with the goal of continuing to get better.”

With significant opponents in the week ahead, CVU’s fortunes could turn.

“Anybody can beat anybody on a given day, which is why we can’t take any days off,” said Fontaine. “Essex knocked us out last year and are the defending state champions. Brattleboro beat us last year at their place, and Burr & Burton is always a tough opponent.”

CVU 5, Rutland 0

Photos by Al FreyJunior Elise Berger of Shelburne can’t remember if she’s ever held a softball. That’s because she plays hardball. And has as far back as her memories go. Berger won her first varsity start, pitching the Redhawks to a 5-0 shutout of Rutland on April 29 and keeping CVU
Photos by Al Frey
Junior, Elise Berger of Shelburne can’t remember if she’s ever held a softball. That’s because she plays hardball. And has as far back as her memories go. Berger won her first varsity start, pitching the Redhawks to a 5-0 shutout of Rutland on April 29 and keeping CVU

This past Saturday, April 29, Elise Berger pitched a shutout for a win in her first starting varsity game for the Champlain Valley Union High boys team at home, keeping the Redhawks undefeated at 5-0.

Berger has been demonstrating her pitching prowess for years, having played baseball, never softball, since she was in elementary school. She played on the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Berger pitched five innings, giving up three hits and two walks and striking out six.

Andres Lowkes took the loss for Rutland (1-5), pitching into the sixth inning and giving up nine hits, five runs and a walk while notching two strikeouts.

CVU created separation in the fifth inning when a homerun by Travis Stroh scored two runs and added another in the sixth on Chris Robinson’s RBI double.

Declan Cummings went 3-for-3 at the plate for CVU with a double and two singles.

The Redhawks were schedule to host Essex High for a game on Tuesday that was postponed because of rain. They’re slated to host Brattleboro at 4:30 this afternoon, Thursday, May 4.

CVU travels to Manchester to take on Burr and Burton Academy at 4:30 p.m. this Saturday, May 6/

CVU 8, Mt. Mansfield 5 
On Thursday, April 27, the Redhawks traveled to Mount Mansfield Union and came away with an 8-5 victory.

CVU took advantage of four Cougar errors in the fifth inning to pull away.

Robinson pitched three innings to take the win for the Redhawks, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out five.

Robbie Fragola led the scoring for CVU, going 2-for-2 at the plate with a single, a double, a walk and three RBIs. Stephen Rickert went 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk and an RBI.

CVU 4, South Burlington 2
The Redhawks (3-0) continued to collect Ws with a win over South Burlington at the Wolves’ field.

Stephen Rickert pitched a complete game for the Redhawks, giving up just four hits, while striking out eight.

Although Nick Kelly notched 12 strikeouts for the Wolves, it wasn’t enough because he also gave up eight hits and committed three errors. The game was South Burlington’s first loss, dropping its record to 4-1.

CVU 12, Middlebury 2
CVU went to Middlebury on Tuesday, April 17, for its second game of the season after an opening game 7-6 win at Rice on April 13.

In a game that was moved to the Tigers’ field because of field conditions at the Redhawks’ field, CVU (2-0) kept its record unblemished with a 12-2 win.

The Redhawks jumped out to an early lead they never relinquished, scoring 8 runs in the first inning.