Senior Athletes Forced To Look Ahead

State championship celebrations will not come this spring.

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Just over two months ago, March 16th was still a day spring athletes had circled on their calendars. Now April 21st is one they will forever try and erase from their memories.

On Tuesday afternoon, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that schools - both public and private - would remain closed through the end of the school year as the state continues to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. While the MIAA has yet to formally release a statement, school closures present an end to the spring sports season before it even begins.

MIAA Softball: Taunton, Greater New Bedford, Abington Capture Elusive State Titles

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Worcester, Mass. -- It wasn't supposed to come this easy and certainly not against an opponent who was perfect coming in. 

But sure enough, Taunton made it look another day at the park with a 13-2 triumph over Wachusett in Saturday night's Division 1 state softball final at Rockwood Field.

The Tigers were dominant from the outset, pouring it on en route to winning their fifth state crown in school history and first since 2007.

MIAA Softball: Pittsfield, Greenfield, Turners Falls Capture Sectional Crowns

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Amherst, Mass. – It became evident early that Pittsfield was done with playing the role of runner up in Division 1 Western Mass. championship contests. Coming up short in the 2017 and 2015 title games,  the Generals were chomping at the bit as repeat participants on Saturday.

Racing out to a substantial lead early, Pittsfield made it hold as it went on to win 11-3 over Northampton in the Sectional Final played at UMass' Sortino Field.

The top-seeded Generals (22-0) wreaked most of their havoc during the first two innings putting up seven runs. They will face Wachusett Regional (23-0) in the state semifinal on Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. from Worcester State University's Rockwood Field. 

MIAA Softball: Pittsfield, Northampton Advance in Semifinals, Set up Sectional Final Matchup

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Amherst, Mass. -- Pittsfield has been down this road before. A few times in fact. So when the Generals arrived at UMass' Sortino Field Tuesday evening, there was no shock or awe anywhere to be found.

A veteran club, Pittsfield has performed on this stage in the past. The past two years, the Generals have reached the Division 1 Western Mass. title game only to be denied. Following a 6-0 win over West Springfield in the semifinal round, Pittsfield will get another shot at redeeming themselves.

Top-seed Pittsfield (21-0) will face No. 3 Northampton here on Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. for the right to advance to the state semifinals. The Blue Devils (19-3) slipped past No. 2 Minnechaug 2-1 in the day's other semifinal.

Newton North Proves up To the Challenge, Takes Down Acton-Boxboro to Keep Title Defense Alive

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Acton, Mass. -- For a seasoned program like Newton North, where postseason placement seems irrelevant. When it comes to the Tigers, seeding is a mere numbers game.

The defending Division 1 North champions proved that during Monday's 6-0 victory over No. 2 Acton-Boxborough in the quarterfinal round. Newton North, seeded seventh, moves into the semifinals where it will await Tuesday's Medford vs. Arlington winner.

The Tigers (17-4), who perhaps are playing their best ball of the season, jumped on the Colonials (19-3) early and often. Senior pitcher Mia Patriacca held A-B in check throughout the afternoon. The Assumption College-bound right-hander scattered just two hits and struck out three. 

Lanpher Turns up the Heat, Strikes out 16 to Keep Wachusett Unbeaten

By John McGuirk (Patsfan1313)

Holden, Mass. – Coming into Saturday's Central Mass. Division 1 quarterfinal, Courtney Lanpher's in facing Westborough, was to pitch to contact and allow her defense to handle most of the work.

Instead, Lanpher, Wachusett Regional's junior ace pitcher, was on the mark throughout as she allowed just one hit while striking out 16 to lead the top-seeded Mountaineers to a 8-1 win over Westborough.

"I wanted to pitch to contact and stay right around the strike zone," said Lanpher, who upped her record to 12-0. "But I ended up getting some calls and getting them to swing at pitches, so that is what I was continuing to aim for."

Christina Clark Pitches Burlington into the Quarterfinal

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Burlington, Mass. -- Kristen Mahoney-Farrell has been around this game long enough to understand the ramifications regarding early round playoff softball.

Minutes before Friday's Division 2 North first round game versus Pentucket, the nine-year Burlington coach continued to stress to her team the importance of not playing tight and performing up to their capabilities. That is precisely what the Red Devils accomplished during their 5-1 victory over Pentucket at Marvin Field.

Scoring all of its runs in the third inning, Burlington spent the remainder of the afternoon relying on its ace pitcher Christina Clark, along with a stout defense, to do the rest.

The sixth-seed Red Devils (16-4) advance to Sunday's quarterfinal where they will face No. 3 Triton Regional (17-2) in Byfield beginning at 1 p.m.

Sachems starting pitcher Mady Gatchell was not overpowering inside the circle however, the senior kept Burlington off-balance over the first two innings. But that changed one frame later. Jordan Ferullo led off the inning with a single and moved to second on Erin Browne's sacrifice bunt. Meghan Gaffney followed by legging out a bunt single. After Gaffney stole second, sophomore Chloe McGonagle ripped a 1-0 pitch to deep to left field for a two-run double to make it 2-0 Burlington. 

"The first two innings I was a little nervous because I thought we would come out a bit stronger," said McGonagle, who finished with three hits. "Sometimes that is where we struggle a bit because we don't come out hard enough in those first few innings. But I was pretty excited once we were able to get some runs in the third."

Two batters later with runners on the corners, a Fran Rubino sacrifice fly plated McGonagle with the Red Devils' third run. Clark quickly followed with an RBI single scoring Nikolopoulos. A few moments later, Clark came around to score the fifth tally thanks to Sydney Shinopulos's bloop single into right field.

"(Gatchell's) speed took us a little time to adjust to," Mahoney-Farrell said. "She was a little bit slower than what we are use to and we don't always hit slower pitching very well and that is why I am assuming they tossed her against us. But after a couple of innings we were able to time her and be more-selective on our pitches. The girls did a great job."

As was the case, that was all the ammunition Burlington would need on this warm afternoon. Clark, a junior, continued to baffle Pentucket. The right-hander allowed just five hits while fanning six. Primarily pitching to contact, Clark let her defensive mates handle much of the action as the Red Devils were stellar in the field behind her.

On a couple of occasions, the Sachems managed to threatened. In the top of the third, they put two runners on with two out before Clark induced Taylor Fitzpatrick to fly out.

In the sixth, Pentucket again made some noise after Caitlin Kutcher opened with a single and Julie Freitas reached on catcher's interference. Autumn West next lined a single to centerfield. With Kutcher being waved around, Rubino, the Red Devils' centerfielder, threw Kutcher out at the plate. A walk to Megan McCoy loaded the bases with two out. But Clark was able to avoid danger by getting Fitzpatrick to pop out to end the inning.

"We did OK," said Pentucket first-year coach Debbie Smith, who did a nice job in getting the Sachems to this point. "Clark is a very good pitcher. She has a good spin on the ball which had us popping up a lot. We needed to get runners in when they are in scoring position and we were unable to do that."

Pentucket managed a leadoff hit in the seventh, but Clark proceeded to set down the next three batters with ease and record the victory. 

"Christina battled hard today," Mahoney-Farrrell said. "She seemed to get stronger in tougher situations. She is just an awesome kid and is so coachable."

Red Rocketeers Squeak Past Milford in Extras

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

MILFORD, Mass. – For Milford, the initial feeling was like sailing into uncharted waters. For only the second time in two years, the Scarlet Hawks walked into a game coming off a rare defeat.

Tuesday's loss to Hockomock League rival King Phillip put an end to Milford's extraordinary 43 game win streak that dated back to early April of 2017.

On Thursday, the curious ones settled in to see how Milford would fair in this anomalous situation against Hockomock League (Davenport Division) foe North Attleboro. For the second straight time, Milford came up on the short end as North Attleboro scored three in the top of the ninth to come away with a 7-4 victory over the Scarlet Hawks.

Lanpher's Gem Keeps the Mountaineers Perfect

By John McGuirk (@PatsFan1313)

HOLDEN, Mass. – This game certainly lived up to the hype. 

Wachusett Regional and Hudson, two of the more-dominant softball programs in Central Mass., locked horns in a much-anticipated bout on a warm, breezy Monday afternoon. 

In a classic pitchers duel, Wachusett managed to do just enough, plating a single run in the fourth inning while Country Lanpher struck out 10 on the mound for a 1-0 victory over Hudson.

Frank's Blast Sends the Colonials to a Statement DCL Win

Acton-Boxborough's Winning Pitcher Lauren Meinhold deals an offering 

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Acton, Mass – As soon as the ball jumped off of Kylie Frank's bat and sailed out of the ballpark Acton-Boxborough teammates let out a vicarious yell from inside its dugout. Frank's two-run home run sent the Colonials to a roller coaster 9-7 Dual County League victory over previously unbeaten Concord-Carlisle on Monday afternoon.

The timing could not have been better for Frank’s first home run of the season as it came in the bottom half of the sixth inning to put A-B into a virtual tie for first place with C-C in the league standings.

Scarlet Hawks Breakout the Bats to Tame Tigers

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Newton, Mass. – For the second year in a row, Milford is the best softball program in the Bay State. Behind a lethal offense, along with strong pitching, Milford continues to make this game look easy.

Friday afternoon proved to be no different. In a rematch of last year's Division 1 state semifinal, the Scarlet Hawksscored runs in bunches en route to a commanding 13-0 victory over Newton North.

Mountaineers Climb Seventh Inning Hill to Dethrone Turners Falls

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

MONTAGUE, Mass. – Over the first half of the season, Wachusett Regional did faced much adversity, winning the majority of its contests with relative ease.

But on a warm Tuesday evening, the Mountaineers got more than their fair share of tribulation. Trailing by a run in its final at-bat, and down to its final strike, Wachusett miraculously stormed back to pull out a thrilling 10-8 triumph over Turners Falls. 

The big hit belonging to senior Jordin Laraia, who sent an outside fastball into the left-centerfield gap for a three-run double. Courtney Lanpher, who came on in relief with one out in the fourth, was able to set the Indians down in the bottom of the frame to earn the win.

"Turners is a phenomenal program," said first-year Wachusett coach Jason Lanpher. "They are the type of team that we like to play because they make us better. This was a heck of a game by both teams. Being behind is something we haven't dealt with this year so this was a good character building win for us. We struggled at times but still managed to fight back. It was a very good performance by our girls."

This meeting marked the third in as many years between the two schools. Wachusett has prevailed in all of them, winning 1-0 in 2016 and 3-1 last season.

"Tonight showed me that these girls can deal with some adversity, deal with pressure and still find a way to succeed," Lanpher said. "That is what we look for. Sometimes you need to get punched in the mouth in order to see how you react and that is exactly what happened to us tonight."

Turners Falls, the three-time defending Division 3 champion, showed they have no problem against stiffer competition.

The Mountaineers entered the seventh trailing 8-6. Abby Simes opened things by reaching on shortstop Cassidhe Wozniak's error. Reagan Lowe followed with a bloop single into shallow left. A line out ensued before Indians pitcher Peyton Emery walked Hannah White to load the bases. 

A SAC fly by Erin Hancock brought Wachusett back to within a run. After Lanpher was walked intentionally to set up a force at any base, Emery went after Laraia. On Emery's 0-2 offering, the senior right-hander tried to catch the outside black of the plate. Instead, Laraia didn't miss it, sparking a wild eruption from inside the Mountaineers' dugout.

"(Emery) is a good pitcher and I knew she was coming after me after she walked Courtney intentionally," said Laraia. "So I knew the pressure was on me. I just stayed patient at the plate and waited for my pitch.”

Wachusett got to Emery for three runs in the initial frame. Lanpher ripped an opposite field double to right and came home one out later on an errant thrwo. The inning continued on an Elizabeth Moore walk and a Brigid Griffin single to left that scored Arvidson. Moments later, Moore raced home courtesy of a wild pitch for a 3-0 lead.

But as expected, Turners Falls rebounded against Moore, Wachusett's starting pitcher. With Wozniak on base, Alyson Murphy clubbed a 1-1 fastball well over the left field fence for a two-run home run making it 3-2. Things quieted down over the next two innings before the Mountaineers offense erupted again in the fourth. 

With two runners on and two out, Lanpher notched her second double of the evening to bring home a run, upping Wachusett's lead to 4-2. Shortly thereafter, Laraia plated two more runs on a double to left. 

But yet again, Turners Falls answered. Emery reached on an error to begin things. With Eliza Johnson inserted as a courtesy runner, Olivia Whittier hit a comebacker to Moore. But the senior's throw to second was off target allowing Johnson to reach safely. Consecutive infield singles brought Johnson across the plate. One out later, Lexi Lacey banged a single to drive in Whittier. 

Lanpher then made the decision to replace Moore (5 hits, 2 walks, 3 K's) with his daughter in the hopes of getting out of the jam. After fanning Wozniak, Lanpher couldn't escape further trouble as Taylor Murphy blooped a two-run single to even things at 6-6. The Indians took the lead on Alyson Murphy's RBI single. 

Coming into Tuesday, the Mountaineers were allowing just one run per-game.

Wachusett saw an opportunity to climb back wasted in the fifth after stranding a pair of runners. In the Indians' half of the frame, they added a solo run on Sienna Dillensneider's SAC fly to lead by a pair.

The Mountaineers went down quickly in the sixth before their last inning heroics allowed them to secure victory. 

"They did a really nice job battling back the way they did," Turners Falls Hall of Fame coach Gary Mullins said. "On (Laraia's hit) we tried to pitch her up and away and she just got it. That was very good hitting on her part. She really whacked it. I thought we battled tonight

Christina Clark Rises to the Challenge as Burlington Takes Down Lexington

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Burlington, Mass. – Over this past off-season, Christina Clark spent countless hours alongside her high school coach Kristen Farrell working on a rising fastball in an effort to become one of the state's elite hurlers. Already equipped with a spot-on fastball and change-up, the Burlington junior was not going to be satisfied until she developed a third pitch.

On Friday, Clark relied heavily on her riser to make Middlesex League foe Lexington bewildered at times inside the batter's box. Clark used that intangible to her advantage as the hard-throwing right-hander scattered six hits, walked three and struck out 16 in leading Burlington to a 7-3 victory over the Minutemen at Marvin Field.

Clark was locked in from the outset, consistently challenging the Minutemen lineup. A couple of times she ran into jams yet managed to pitch her way out of them with limited damage.

Newton North Softball Holds on for Statement Win Against King Philip

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Newtonville, Mass. – In each of the past two seasons, Newton North's quest for a Division 1 state softball championship has fallen a bit short. Two years ago, the Tigers lost an extra inning affair to Lexington in the North sectional final. Last season, they succumbed to eventual state champ Milford in the state semifinal.

To come oh so close, yet finish on the losing end, can wreak havoc on one's psyche. But for the Tigers, that is not the case. 

Following Saturday's 8-5 triumph over King Phillip Regional, Newton North established itself as a predominant favorite to snare its first state crown come June. 

Offensive Outburst Leads Milford Past Grafton

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

Grafton, Mass. – The sample size may still be considered small but let's not kid ourselves. Milford, once again, appears to be every bit the part of the team that won a Division 1 state title a year ago.

In a battle between two defending state champions, the Scarlet Hawks' offense took it to Grafton on Friday in the form of an 8-1 victory. Milfored erased an early deficit, belting out 13 hits en route to its third win against no defeats.

On top of that, senior pitcher Kelley Reichert settled in nicely following a rough beginning, allowing just four hits and striking out nine in her six innings of work.

"All of these girls are perfectionists," said Milford coach Steve DiVitto. "They are not as much down on themselves as they are disappointed with a certain outcome. You can be disappointed but you cannot let it affect your game. That is one thing the girls do a really nice job of. They're always picking each other up. Throughout our line up today the girls were delivering in big spots and Kelley pitched great."

Reichert was able to avert serious trouble in the bottom of the first that, in turn, proved to be the difference maker in this one.

After plating a run in the bottom of the first on a Sarah Remilard RBI, behind some good at-bats and some shoddy Scarlet Hawks defense, Grafton (1-1) would load the bases with nobody out.

Seeking a rare opportunity to put the Scarlet Hawks away early, the Indians failed in their quest after Reichert fanned three straight batters to keep the damage minimal.

"Right off the bat we were making some pretty good contact," Grafton coach John Gemme said. "They gave us a couple of plays during the inning to load the bases and then our next three batters seemed to tense up a bit and it didn't work out for us."

As a result of Reichert's ability to avoid serious danger, it allowed Milford to carry momentum to the plate. The Scarlet Hawks scored a pair of runs in the top of the second before adding another in the fourth.

They then blew this contest wide-open wita five run fifth.

"Obviously we made a couple of mistakes early which is uncharacteristic of us," said DiVitto. "Just a week into the season and we are still trying to get comfortable in the field. But later in the game we were able to turn that page and move along. Kelley did a great job of battling to get us out of that first inning. That seemed to pay huge dividends for us as we were able to come back right away in the second with two runs and turn things right around for us."

Outside of the first in which Reichert was victimized by three Scarlet Hawk errors, she remain focused, as she managed to get ahead of the Indian hitters with first pitch strikes by using a mix of fastballs, risers and change-ups.

The Scarlet Hawks wasted little time grabbing the lead for good in the top half of the second.

A single by Emily Hartman was followed up by a double off the bat of Shannon Cormier.

Alexis Caron, running for Hartman, crossed the plate on Maddy Bonvino's grounder.

Bonvino was ruled safe after first baseman Emily Henning could not handle the throw. Moments later, Cormier gave Milford a 2-1 lead, sprinting home on a passed ball.

In the Scarlet Hawks' half of the fourth, Cormier led off with a bloop double to left and came around to score shortly thereafter on Reichert's single.

Grafton, who won its third Division 2 state crown since 2012 last season, provided little resistance against Reichert following the initial frame. Yet still within striking distance entering the fifth, the Indians saw it all come unraveled as Milford sent 10 batters to the plate and smacked seven hits to pull away.

In that decisive inning, Kate Irwin opened by legging out an infield single, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error.

She trotted home on Emily Piergustavo's infield single to make it 4-1.

Another Indians fielding mistake advanced Piergustavo to second base. The senior, headed to UConn next year, came home on Providence College-bound Jess Tomaso's double.

A few moments later, Tomaso moved to third on another passed ball. The senior would later cross the plate on Cormier's ground out.

Reichert next singled setting the stage for Bonvino's two-run homer over the left field fence to put the Scarlet Hawks comfortably in front by seven runs. 

"That was a much-needed hit in the game and for myself personally," Bonvino said. "I've been in a little bit of a hitting slump to start the season. It was nice to finally get out of that and hopefully today will break things open for me. Even after we were down, we know we have the bats to come back, and we are behind Kelley constantly. As big as last season was for us, we want to put it behind us because if we dwell on it then we are not going to do as well this season."

Reichert quickly disposed of the Indians in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings, respectively before giving way to Tomaso, who closed things out in the seventh.

"Defensively we made some mistakes," said Gemme. "They got really comfortable in that fifth inning and I think (Evans) probably let some of those mistakes get to her instead of taking charge a little bit."