June 17, 2017 · 8:33 pm

Mckenna Smith pitches Old Town to Class B softball title

Mckenna Smith – 19 K’s and an RBI for Old Town

Mckenna checks on the pitch called.

(Standish ME) Mckenna Smith.

Where do you begin in describing her part in Old Town’s 2-0 victory over Fryeburg Academy in such an important game?

The obvious would be her NINETEEN strikeouts.  In a seven-inning softball game there are only twenty-one outs!  One of the other two outs was a popup caught by Mckenna.

The other out?  Great catch by Coyotes left fielder Jannessa Brown in the Raiders’ 3rd inning.  A shot by Fryeburg’s Mackenzie Buzzell looked headed for the base of the LF fence but Jannessa sprinted straight back and was tall enough to make the grab.  With a runner (Grace Condon) on first there might have been a FA run without Jannessa’s catch.

The Raiders (16-4) could have used that run because they had just fallen behind by two runs in the top of OT’s tainted third inning.

Old Town’s third-inning runs were both unearned.  After a bloop single to right by Natalie St. Louis, Morgan Love reached on a drop in right by Chloe Coen.  Natalie raced to third on that play with no outs.  Morgan then took second uncontested putting two Coyotes in scoring position with no outs.  Mckenna Smith hit a sacrifice fly to RF scoring Natalie and getting Morgan to 3B.

Morgan Love scores the second Coyotes run

Key play warning!  Olivia Albert struck out but the ball was dropped by FA catcher Makayla Cooper forcing her to throw to first to get the out.  OT junior Morgan Love alertly broke from third on Makayla’s throw and beat Kaylee Emery’s relay home giving Old Town a huge second run.

Those would be the only runs reigning Class B champion Old Town (18-2) would get but they were enough with Mckenna’s assortment of pitches working.  From where I was watching (press box), it was the rise that did in Fryeburg.  Many of FA’s swings-and-misses were on pitches that ended up shoulder height.

Old Town won the game and all that but it would be a shame to overlook the pitching of the Raiders’ Nicole Bennett.  The FA senior did not give up an earned run and had nine strikeouts.  Nicole surrendered seven hits but stranded eight Coyotes in a strong effort.  Delete the two misplays in the 2-run Old Town third and the late innings would have been a lot more tense.

Nicole Bennett struck out nine Coyotes and did not give up an earned run

Though down by two runs, I kept waiting for FA to put a rally together as they had against #1 seed Wells in a 4-run miracle final inning in the South title game.  But junior Mckenna Smith would have none of it.

Certainly a remarkable playoff run for Old Town.  They did not allow a run in any of the four tournament games.

Mackenzie Buzzell, Kaylee Emery, and Chloe Coen had the hits for Fryeburg.

Versus Fryeburg Academy, Mckenna struck out seven batters in a row during one stretch and later six in a row during another stretch.

Mckenna had 128 strikeouts in 61 innings during the regular season.

Old Town now has three softball titles since 2012.

Shortstop Olivia Albert pitched for Old Town in last year’s title game against York and had a home run.

Fryeburg Academy senior Mackenzie Buzzell was injured sliding into second base in the first inning.

Lauren Gasaway and Olivia Albert each had two hits for the Coyotes.  Mckenna Smith had the first of OT’s seven hits.

LF Jannessa Brown robs Mackenzie Buzzell in the 3rd inning

Last time I saw Fryeburg softball was in 2012 when they defeated Greely 8-1 to take the Class B South championship.

Good crowd from Old Town on hand.  Why?  The OT baseball team was scheduled to also play at St. Joseph’s later in the afternoon.

Mckenna was given signals from the dugout by assistant coach Adam Boucher.  She would check her wristband after each signal and several infielders did too.  When I saw Mckenna looking at her wrist I couldn’t help but think of Celtic Isaiah Thomas and his routine of looking at his imaginary watch during “Isaiah” time.  No question it was “Mckenna time” on this afternoon!

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Old Town – 2017 Maine Class B softball champions

Morgan Love and Mckenna Smith

OT coach Jenn Plourde gives Mckenna Smith the ball used on the final pitch

Fryeburg Academy seniors – Alexandria Fraize, Mackenzie Buzzell, Makayla Cooper, and Nicole Bennett

Old Town celebrating begins after the final out

Freshman Jannessa Brown

Shortstop Tina LeBlanc sets to throw to first base

Shortstop Tina LeBlanc awaits throw as Olivia Albert slides into 2B

Natalie St. Louis celebrates the first OT run with teammate Lauren Gasaway

RF Chloe Coen drops a fly ball in the 2-run Old Town 3rd inning

Brooke Juneau drops a ball in LF

RF Chloe Coen makes a nice catch to end the first inning OT threat

 

 

 

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June 10, 2017 · 9:50 pm

Logan MacDonald (11 K’s) leads Austin Prep to D3 North title 8-0 over Latin Academy

Austin Prep – Division 3 North Champs

Junior Logan MacDonald had eleven strikeouts for Austin Prep

(Beverly MA) It was a long afternoon for the #1 seed Latin Academy Dragons.

Not only did they have to deal with the pitching of junior Logan MacDonald (eleven K’s) but they also had a tough afternoon of defense.

Those two aligned themselves under a sunny sky at Endicott College on Saturday afternoon and the result was an easy 8-0 win for the #2 seed Austin Prep Cougars.

The victory gives the 22-2 Cougars the Division 3 North title and a Tuesday night, state semi-finals matchup against West Bridgewater (South champs) at Taunton High School.

The Dragons (23-3) had won ten straight games in a season in which pitcher Olivia McGrath (six K’s vs Austin Prep) had been dominant especially in the Boston City League.

Olivia’s pitching had carried the young (they started two eighth graders) Dragons but on this afternoon the AP hitters began making serious contact against Olivia early.  Both Lauren Sablone and Frank Frelick struck home-run distance foul balls to left in the first inning.

In the second, Lauren (freshman) straightened one out and over the left-centerfield fence it went for a two-run homer.

Freshman Lauren Sablone nears home after 2-run homer

Austin Prep led 4-0 after two and held that lead after four innings.  Meanwhile, during those four innings, pitcher Logan MacDonald had notched eight strikeouts and held LA to one hit (Mackenzie Theriault).

The team from Reading sealed this one in the top of the 5th inning.  The Cougars got two hits (Kendra Currier, Frank Frelick) but it was the miscues in the field that killed Latin Academy.  A mishandled bunt (catcher Shantary Pimentel) and two passed balls led to four unearned runs.

In that breakaway fifth, even a bad AP play, turned into a run.  Caroline Sablone did not tag up from 3B on a fly to left but went back and tagged up belatedly and then tried to score.  A certain out turned into a run for Austin Prep as the throw home was high.

Austin Prep had two errors of their own (Cristina Tighe, Kendra Currier) but Logan MacDonald followed with strikeouts to avoid damage.

AP shortstop Kendra Currier runs off the field covered with dust after an inning-ending play

Best play of the game?  Kendra Currier in the 5th inning.  The Dragons had runners on first and second with two out and trailed by eight.  Could they break through against the Cougars?  Kendra made sure it didn’t happen. Michaela Russell hit a hard grounder to Kendra’s left.  Looked like a run-scoring base hit but Kendra dove to make the stop and then flipped to 2B Ella Saracco to end the inning.

The Cougars finished with eight hits including three by Kendra Currier, and two each by Lauren Sablone and Frank Frelick.  Logan MacDonald had the other hit.

The Dragons were limited to three singles (Mackenzie Theriault, Emma Walsh, and Shamyia Banks).

AP tallied a run in the first.  Lauren Sablone singled, stole second, and was sacrificed (Alex Santostefano) to 3B.  Frank Frelick’s grounder to deep shot brought the run home.

Shaky defense caused LA trouble in the three-run Austin Prep second.  3B Jessica Rynne deflected Ella Saracco’s infield grounder to start the inning.  Logan MacDonald sacrificed Ella to 2B.  A passed ball got Ella to 3B and then CF Mackenzie Theriault dropped a fly ball allowing Ella to score.  Later in the extended inning Lauren Sablone had the 2-run homer.

Michaela Russell and Shannon Bedard converge on a popup

Those gift runs were just too much to get back against a pitcher of Logan MacDonald’s ability on this afternoon.

Neither pitcher walked anyone.

Olivia McGrath will be attending Keene State.

The possibility of a D3 state finals rematch between Turners Falls and Austin Prep is just a win away.  Turners Falls took the title in 2016 and I am certain that Austin Prep has not forgotten it.

Austin Prep only losses this season have been to Catholic Central League rival St. Mary’s.  AP did avenge those losses with a win over the Spartans in the D3 North semis.

Very nice softball facility at Endicott.  Beyond centerfield is a huge rock.  There was a plan to have a water fountain located there that would be similar to the one in Kansas City.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Olivia McGrath throws to 1B

Mackenzie Theriault drops a line drive

Shantary Pimentel

Lauren Sablone steals second

Latin Academy before the game

Shamyia Banks

Freshman Frank Frelick

Trophy pose

Shamyia Banks out swinging to end the game

8th grader Carleigh Schievink lines up a fly ball

Logan MacDonald

Ella Saracco scores on a passed ball

Frank Frelick tries for home as catcher Shantary Pimentel awaits throw

Kendra Currier scores on a passed ball

Dragons shortstop Michaela Russell

Olivia McGrath (six strikeouts)

 

 

 

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June 3, 2017 · 9:40 pm

Whittier gets 2-1 walk-off versus Essex Tech in D3 North First Round

Whittier coach Cheryl Begin celebrates the walk-off win with the Beauchesne sisters

Winning pitcher Nicole Verrette struck out nine and scattered four hits

(Haverhill MA) Whittier Tech defeated Essex Tech for the third time this season.

This time the score was 2-1 in a Division 3 North First Round game on a sunny/cloudy/drizzly Saturday afternoon at Whittier.

The ending was dramatic as Olivia Beauchesne’s two-out blast in the bottom of the seventh inning (over RF Hannah Lilly’s head) delivered teammate Kayle Hobbs from 3B with the game winner.

The Wildcats trailed 1-0 in the second inning as senior Anna Cloutman brought in freshman Hester Murphy with an RBI single that was nearly caught by WT rightfielder Eliza Slocum.

Whittier (19-2) tied things in the fourth inning.  Kaley Thibault walked to lead the inning off and later scored on Alyssa Wilson’s sharp single to CF.

I was impressed with both pitchers.  Whittier sophomore Nicole Verrette K’d nine Hawks and allowed four hits.  Four of the Hawks outs in the last two innings were strikeouts.  Essex Tech freshman Sheree Fallon struck out only two but limited WT to four hits.

CF Allison Vienneau makes a great catch for ET in the first inning

Several defensive gems by ET (14-8) kept them in the game against a team that already had 8-3 and 6-1 wins over them this season.  In the first inning, CF Allison Vienneau made a back-to-the-infield, catch deep in center field.  I’m guessing that the shot by Allison Beauchesne would have left a fenced-in outfield.  Hester Murphy had two sparklers at 3B.  Both were line drives.  The first one (in the 2nd inning) was turned into a double play.  The other one (in the 7th inning) was hit by Nicole Verrette.  Hester’s catch on that one was the second out of the inning.

Kayle Hobb’s base-running in the walk-off inning was very important.  After singling, Kayle went from first to third on a grounder to third.  That infield grounder by Kyleigh Campbell pulled in 3B Hester Murphy and Kayle saw the base uncovered as she rounded second.  Shortstop Emily Brown covered 3B but the throw from 1B Caitlyn O’Shea was high and Kayle was in safely.  The next batter (Nicole Verrette) whacked a line drive to 3B Hester Murphy and Kayle resisted the impulse to take off for home on contact.  It would have been an inning-ending double play if she had.  Next batter Olivia Beauchesne then delivered the long hit to right field to win the game.

Olivia Beauchesne’s game winner was hit a long way

I believe that Olivia’s hit to right would have left the fenced-in parks I’ve seen.

Essex Tech’s four hits came from junior Hannah Lilly (2), and one each from freshman Hester Murphy and senior Anna Cloutman.

Kayle Hobbs had two of WT’s hits.  Freshman Alyssa Wilson and senior Olivia Beauchesne had one each.

The solid pitching and sound defense made this a game that lasted just over an hour.  Good thing because the game no sooner ended when it started to drizzle.

Special thanks to Whittier AD Kevin Bradley for helping me get to the correct field.  I was unknowingly heading for the Whittier/Bishop Fenwick baseball game which started at the same time as the softball game.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.  Retweeting the coverage is greatly appreciated.)

Nicole Verrette

Whittier shortstop Kelleigh Greaney

Essex Tech CF Allison Vienneau

Hester Murphy steals second base

RF Eliza Slocum nearly catches Anna Cloutman’s sinking liner

Hester Murphy scores the Essex Tech run

Hannah Lilly makes a play in RF

3B Hester Murphy sets to throw to 1B

Kaley Thibault ties the game for Whittier in the 4th inning

IB Caitlyn O’Shea tosses to 1B

ET freshman pitcher Sheree Fallon allowed only four hits.

ET coach Jody Norton

ET catcher Allison Sholds

Kayle Hobbs gets to 3B on some very aggressive base-running

WT coach Cheryl Begin talks to Nicole Verrette in the 7th inning

 

 

 

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May 28, 2017 · 3:02 pm

Amesbury loses 3rd straight with 9-2 loss to non-league Concord-Carlisle to end regular season

Concord-Carlisle catcher Virgina Ryan had a huge day for the Patriots with two HRs and 6 RBI

Emma DiPietro tagged out at 2B by Emma Della Volpe

(Amesbury MA) Three days don’t make a season but the last three have been a disaster for the Amesbury Indians softball team.

I checked in (late) to the final of the three games this morning and saw Amesbury lose, 9-2, to Concord-Carlisle.

Trusting Mascores to have the right starting time cost me.  They said 11AM but the game started at 10AM.

Looking for a game story?  This wouldn’t be your place but I do have pictures and some general commentary.

The loss today was the Indians (14-6) third loss in three days.  Lest you think that Division 3 Amesbury has run out of steam late in the season, you need to check the caliber of the final trio: Andover (Division 1), Whittier (17-2), and Concord-Carlisle (Division 1, 17-2).

Alyssa Attonito avoids Maddie Napoli’s tag at 2B

The season now moves into the “one-loss-and-done” tournament section.

Nicole Small went the distance for the Patriots giving up six hits and striking out five Indians.

Virgina Ryan finishes her first inside-the-park homer in today’s game

Catcher Virginia Ryan was the hitting hero for the visitors.  I saw her hit two home runs.  She ended up with six RBI.

On one of Virginia’s at-bats, she had a loud foul down the leftfield line before, several pitches later, lining a 3-run homer to right over Brigid Ramsden’s head.

In the Amesbury fifth, Sage Dodier singled and was replaced by pinchrunner Abby Aponas.  That move paid off as the speedy Abby scored on Alli Napoli’s double.

Junior Caity Baker had a solo homer to left center for the home team in the sixth.

Perry Field is fenceless therefore to hit a homer requires a pretty good belt.  CC had their outfielders playing shallow which explained Caity’s home run.  Amesbury, however, was positioned much deeper so the two Virgina Ryan HRs were extremely well hit and would have left most fenced fields.

SS Maddie Napoli makes a great stop to force Maeve Devlin at 3B

Amesbury’s three seniors (Mikayla Porcaro, Brigid Ramsden, Maddie Napoli) were honored before the game……I am told.  Mikayla will be at Salem State next year.  Maddie is going to UMass Amherst.

Shortstop/Pitcher Emma Della Volpe will attend Tufts this fall.

The tournament placements come out on Tuesday.  Those final three losses could cost Amesbury a home game.  However, facing strong non-league opponents is a great way to get ready for good teams ahead in the tournament.

Any plans the Indians have to get to the state semifinals in Division 3 will certainly mean getting by either 17-2 Whittier and/or perennial powerhouse St. Mary’s.  Tough road for sure but successes in soccer and basketball this school year might make a difference in the big games ahead.

Concord-Carlisle is a tourney regular.  No state titles yet for the softball team but they’ve been close a number of times.  The Patriots have plenty of pitching as well as power.  Defensively, they are well-schooled.  I never saw a throw anywhere that wasn’t backed up.

(All pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Caity Baker

Caity Baker finishes trip around the bases

Ball falls in front of LF Caitlyn Lewis

AHS seniors honored

2B Jill Chelton

Emma DiPietro and Emma Della Volpe

Emma DiPietro tries for 3B

young fan

CF Catherine Kingman

Alli Napoli

Abby Aponas scores the first AHS run

Virginia Ryan slides home safely

 

 

 

 

 

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May 22, 2017 · 9:59 pm

North Reading runs CAL streak to thirty-two defeating Triton 11-9

Cassidy Gaeta (#11) had two home runs against Triton

Tara Driver put North Reading ahead in the 7th with a 2-out, 2-run single.

(Byfield MA) North Reading rallied for six runs in the final two innings to overtake Triton, 11-9, on a cold, drizzly Monday afternoon of Cape Ann League softball.

The Hornets (16-1) were two outs away in the seventh inning from getting their CAL winning streak stopped at thirty-one straight.

But the visitors capitalized on a throwing error (3B Tessa Boyle) and some daring baserunning by sophomore Emma Valade to tie the score.  Triton RF Kendall Mitchell ran toward the infield to record the 2nd out of the inning and might have had a play at the plate to end the game but didn’t throw home right away and Emma was in easily.

Now with runners on second and third with two outs, the Vikings faced Tara Driver (one home run).  The thought of walking Tara was probably considered but the next batter was Cassidy Gaeta (two home runs).

The choice was to pitch to Tara.  This time the junior did not go long ball but instead went “smart” ball driving an outside pitch through the Triton infield into right field scoring two teammates.

The two-run cushion held up in the Triton seventh and North Reading maintained their lengthy CAL winning streak that goes back to May 18, 2015 when they lost to Pentucket.

2B Emily Karvalis chases a blooper into center

The Vikings (10-7) have lost three tough ones (two by one run) in a row.

Triton whacked sixteen hits against Christina Simblaris and Cassandra Pascucci and had baserunners in every inning but the fifth.  Everyone in the Vikings’ batting order reached base.

Steady shortstop play by Bridget Sheehan continues.

Pitcher Katherine Quigley had a life-threatening moment when Cassidy Gaeta ripped a liner at her.  Nice to see that Katherine was wearing a mask.  I would like to see masks on everyone in the infield.

How did Triton lose this game?  Too many mistakes.

The home team survived an infield error (3B Tess Boyle) in the second but a drop by Kendra Beauparlant (LF) scored an NR run in the third.

Colleen McCarthy out at third

Bad baserunning caught up to Triton in the 3rd when pinchrunner Taylor Penniman tried to score from 2nd on an infield pop single.  In the 4th Colleen McCarthy attempted to advance from second to third on an overthrow but was gunned down by North Reading CF Haley MacIntyre.

Plenty of hitting stars on both sides.  Triton’s Zoe Cesati, Bridget Sheehan, and Olivia Doane each had three hits.  Zoe scored three times.  Emily Karvalis drove three runs across while Olivia and Colleen McCarthy had 2 RBI apiece.

North Reading collected eleven hits off freshman Katherine Quigley.  Three of them left the field.  Tara Driver had four hits, drove in three runs, including the game winners, and scored three.  Senior Cassidy Gaeta had two two-run homers.

The Hornets only loss so far was last Thursday 6-4 against Marblehead.

Triton can take heart that they gave NR a competitive game.  That hasn’t been the case in recent years.  In 2016 NR won 17-6 and 12-0.  In 2015 it was 16-0 and 15-1.

The weather continues to unimpress me!  I’m wearing winter boots and a winter hat on May 22nd?

It was an entertaining game despite the conditions.

Seniors from both teams were honored before the game.

(All the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Triton starter Katherine Quigley

Cassidy Gaeta – two 2-run homers

Cassandra Pascucci was the winning pitcher

CF Taylor MacIntyre threw out a Triton runner at 3B

Triton shortstop Bridget Sheehan

Zoe Cesati had two doubles for Triton

Drop in the Vikings’ outfield

Force at second

Popup looking for a place to land

Courtney Luker runs into a bunt

Tara Driver batting

NR scored four times in the seventh inning

 

 

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May 13, 2017 · 7:03 pm

Hamilton-Wenham rallies dropping Amesbury 11-5 in eight innings

Adam Parady hustles out an infield hit as Derek Beaupre stretches for the throw

Jake Lanciani touches home with the tying run in the 7th inning

(Amesbury MA) Very close…..but I’m sure that isn’t any consolation.

Amesbury put a solid six innings together and looked to be on the verge of ending a 10-game losing streak.

Hamilton-Wenham, however, opted not to cooperate.

The Generals (7-5) tied the score in the top of the 7th and then exploded in the extra inning for an 11-5 win.

This was a Saturday afternoon Cape Ann League contest played in cold (upper 40s) conditions.

Winning pitcher Jake Lanciani

Jake Lanciani (2nd team CAL All-Star last year) had plenty to do with the HW victory.  Jake had three hits and scored three runs.  He also transferred from shortstop to pitching in the 5th inning and was the winning pitcher.

The Indians (1-13) broke a 2-2 tie during Jake’s first inning of relief.  AHS collected three runs as the HW defense (Michael Crowley, Nick DiMarino) gifted the scores with drops in the infield.

After that rough fifth, the HW errors ended and Jake held the home team hitless and notched three strikeouts.

While Amesbury struggled in the late innings, the visitors tallied nine hits in the final two innings after having just four hits in the first six innings.

Zach Prentiss pitched his arm off for Amesbury.  He scattered four hits during the first six innings. The AHS senior was the frustrated losing pitcher.

In the comeback top of the 7th, HW had the three runs they needed back in a hurry.  Cam Vautour walked, and then consecutive singles by Conor Evers, Sal Gaurino, and Jake Lanciani followed.  A sacrifice fly by Hunter Wilichoski (3 RBI) tied the score.

In the put-away 8th inning, HW again started strong with a hit batsman, single, walk, and another hit batsman before AHS had an out registered.  Three straight singles followed and the Generals had a six-run, game-winning inning.

Ball drops in near CF Pat Birmingham

The ball did not seem to carry at all on this cold afternoon.  HW had a number of bloop hits landing just in front of diving AHS fielders.

Freshman Will Jones went the first four innings for the Generals.  He was adept at escaping jams.  Will stranded three in the first and two in the third and fourth.

Freshman Conor Evers had two hits and scored three runs.

Ray Arsenault, DJ Grandmaison, and Luke Lagos each recorded two hits for Amesbury.  The Indians had nine hits through five innings but none after that.

Adam Parady showed his speed beating out an infield hit in the HW seventh.

Luke Lagos pitched an inning of relief for Amesbury.

The two teams will go at it again on Monday at Hamilton-Wenham.

Right fielder DJ Grandmaison nearly had a force out at home after an apparent hit.  It became a hit after the runner scored.

The umpire ruled that shortstop Jake Lanciani missed the bag on this play

Hamilton-Wenham had two double plays nullified on close plays.  One involved touching second base before the relay to first.

(Retweeting this story is greatly appreciated.)

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Nick DiMarino

Shortstop Derek Doherty

HW starter Will Jones

Ian Coffey greeted after scoring the go-ahead run in the 8th inning

Reliever Luke Lagos

Cam Vautour beats a force play at home

Hunter Wilichoski drove in 3 runs including the tying run in the 7th inning

RF DJ Grandmaison sets to throw home

Out at second

Zach Prentiss, covering 3B, avoids a sliding runner as HW coach Reggie Maidment and AHS coach Gene Burnham watch

SS Jake Lanciana drops a popup

AHS starter Zach Prentiss

Catcher Scotty Franco between innings

Michael Crowley set to apply the tag to Zach Prentiss

Logan Burrill

 

 

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May 8, 2017 · 9:32 pm

Amesbury takes out Pentucket 13-4 with seven-run 4th inning

Sage Dodier had a 2-run homer in the decisive Amesbury 4th inning

AHS starter Hayley Catania allowed just three hits after the third inning.

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury (7-2) blew open a close game with a 7-run fourth inning and defeated Pentucket, 13-4, on a chilly Monday afternoon of Cape Ann League softball.

The Indians sent eleven batters to the plate in the deciding 4th and rattled seven hits around Perry Field including home runs by sophomores Kaylie Cloutier and Sage Dodier.

This game started as a slugfest with loud outs and hits by both teams.

The Sachems (8-4) were ahead 3-1 after 2 ½ innings thanks to an RBI triple by Taylor Fitzpatrick and a home run by Madi Codair.

The rest of the way AHS winning pitcher, Hayley Catania, limited the visitors to only three hits and one run.

The Indians pushed ahead in their half of the 3rd inning.  A dropped throw (2B Caitlin Kutcher) in the infield and a ball misplayed in the outfield (LF Mo Quinn) were crucial in allowing the home team to get three runs and take the lead (4-3) for good.

Caity Baker (3 hits, 2 rbi) drops down a bunt

Everything went right for the Indians in the game-deciding 4th inning.  There were solid hits, bloopers, and bunts to clog the bases and big hits (triple Hayley Catania) to clear them.

What happened after Mikayla Porcaro drove in the 4th run of the inning was what did in Pentucket.  Kaylie Cloutier, who had looked overmatched in striking out the inning before, got into a Julie Freitas fastball and lined it over the head of RF Taylor Fitzpatrick and circled the bases.

After Abby Aponas walked, Pentucket coach John Walsh brought in junior Mady Gatchell to face pinch-hitter Sage Dodier.  The sophomore matched the Cloutier shot over RF and also ran the bases.

Now in front, 11-3, the Indians had the margin to thwart any comeback plans by the Sachems the rest of the way.

Caity Baker paced the AHS attack with three of their sixteen hits.  Maddie Napoli, Emma DiPietro, Hannaih Burdick, Hayley Catania, and Mikayla Porcaro each had two hits.

Madi Codair homered in the 3rd inning

Junior Madi Codair had two hits and two RBI for Pentucket.

Busy schedule ahead for both teams as they have three more games this week.

Neither team had lost in May coming into this afternoon’s game.  Pentucket had won six straight.  Amesbury had now won four in a row.

Both teams have losses to North Reading.

The temperatures were in the mid-50’s even though the sun was shining.

It struck me as odd to have someone named “Autumn” (West) playing third at Amesbury.  Brought back memories of Autumn Kligerman.  What a senior year she had!

(All the pictures will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

(Retweets are appreciated.  If you were interested enough to read this far, and look at the pictures, then you probably have Twitter followers who would have a similar interest.)

Shortstop Maddie Napoli throws to first

Maddie Napoli flips to 2B Abby Aponas to force Autumn West as Emma DiPietro watches from the outfield

Mo Quinn

Julie Freitas

Sage Dodier

Fiona Hill makes a nice catch in center

Brigid Ramsden

The flip that ended the game

Emma DiPietro slides into 2B as Kim Kowalick awaits throw

2B Caitlin Kutcher

Hannaih Burdick (2 hits,2 runs scored) fields a single in right.

Senior Mikayla Porcaro (2 hits,3 rbi)

Taylor Fitzpatrick (triple,rbi) handles a single to right

 

 

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May 1, 2017 · 10:52 pm

Rockport wildness hands Triton 10-7 softball win

Bridget Sheehan set to catch a wild throw.

Walks led to Triton runs in the 5th and 6th innings

(Byfield MA) Walks in quantity will always get a team in trouble.

That team was Rockport this afternoon as they handed Triton a 10-7 win on a misty, cold Monday afternoon of Cape Ann League softball.

Rockport was up 5-3 going into the bottom of the 5th inning.  Then finding the strike zone became a problem for pitchers Jordan Fears, Miranda Roller, and Taylor Frost.  Two innings and TEN walks later Triton collected seven runs and took the lead for good.

Credit the visitors.  Down 10-5 in the final inning, Rockport had consecutive singles by Katie Favaloro, Jackie Connelly, and Cassie Camille to close to 10-7.  They even had the tying run at the plate. The rally wilted, however, as Lauren Ryan was caught stealing and Triton pitcher Katherine Quigley registered her second strikeout getting Taylor Frost for the final out after a lengthy at bat.

Rockport (2-3) had ten hits including three by Katie Favaloro who also scored three times.

Triton (3-3) also had plenty of baserunners notching nine hits.  Bridget Sheehan had three hits and scored three runs.  Teammate Zoe Cesati had two hits while crossing the plate four times.

Miranda Roller homered over the fence in left center.  The senior was a CAL first-teamer last season.  She will be attending Merrimack in the fall and expects to try out for their softball team.

Shortstop Bridget Sheehan made a play that a “6-3” in the scorebook would do zero justice to.  The sophomore dove to her right to stop a hard-hit grounder, got to her knees and made a long, accurate throw to nab Charlotte Salmon.

Later, Bridget backed up a play at third to prevent a run from scoring.

Katherine Quigley picked up the win for Triton. The freshman also had a 2-run double

Freshman Katherine Quigley had a 2-run double to right in the 5th inning to tie the score.

Rockport had defeated Triton four straight times before today’s game.

Rockport was 11-9 last season while Triton was 7-11.

Rachel Haselgard, Zoe Cesati, and Bridget Sheehan made the Cape Ann League second team last season.

The weather was just plain ugly.  Too cold.  Too damp.  The conditions, however, didn’t keep friends/family from both teams from attending.

Next game for Triton is at Hamilton-Wenham on Wednesday.  Rockport hosts Manchester-Essex tomorrow.

(All pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Jackie Connelly (2 hits, 2 runs, 2 rbi)

Lauren Ryan catches a popup

Emily Karvalis waits to apply the tag

View from centerfield

Liv Doane ready to take a rip

Miranda Roller homered in the 4th inning

Emily Karvalis chases an infield bloop by Lauren Ryan

Kendall Mitchell

Cassie Camille (2 rbi and 2 hits) eyes a fly ball

Grace McGonagle catches a fly.

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April 22, 2017 · 10:46 pm

Rafael Devers (#1 Red Sox prospect) and Gleyber Torres (#1 Yankees prospect) at Portland

Gleyber Torres

Rafael Devers

I had my first visit of the season to Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine on Saturday.  I hope it won’t be the last.

The intended plan was to get a look at the #1 prospects of both the Red Sox and the Yankees.

I had checked the Portland schedule and discovered that April 21-23 would have the Trenton Thunder in Maine.

You always wonder about what April weather will bring.  It was supposed to rain early in the day but then clear off.  What I ended being in was 40’s and occasionally misty.

The good news?  The players weren’t wearing sunglasses.  The bad news?  The players covered parts of their faces to protect from the cold.

When Mookie Betts briefly came through Portland two years ago my pictures had him wearing what looks like a red ski mask.  It can be that cold in Maine in April.

Jalen Beeks was the winning pitcher

I overheard one of the Trenton players say that he hated to come to Hadlock except in August because it is always too cold.  I would agree with that assessment if he had left it to April. May into September can be very pleasant in Maine.

I wanted pictures of Rafael Devers (Red Sox) and Gleyber Torres (Yankees).  These 20-year-olds are considered the best in each system.

Gleyber was a problem because I learned on Thursday night that he was on the 7-day DL.  I wondered if he would be traveling with the team.  I also did not know what he looked like even if he was with the team.

Rafael was a different story: He was active and in the starting lineup.  The Sea Dogs also have their names on the back of their uniforms.  Trenton had no names on the back and no number on the front.

I decided to concentrate my efforts on discerning Gleyber’s whereabouts.  I thought I had him spotted in front of the Trenton dugout.  Finally realized that I was shooting Dante Bichette.  He looked familiar because he looks just like his father the former major leaguer!

I was helped in my Gleyber search by Yankee autograph seekers.  Several of them were nearby and they started yelling into the Trenton dugout for Gleyber.  I heard one of the “yellers” say that Gleyber was sitting in the dugout.  Sure enough, it was him.  He was out of uniform trying to keep warm.  I got several shots of him.  Trenton is back in Portland the end of May.  Hopefully, Gleyber will not have been promoted to AAA or to the Yankees.

Rafael signed autographs so he was out in the Portland dugout area early.  I was impressed by the size of him.  He is broad and looks strong.  I had the chance to get shots of him before game time.

Game time changed from 1 to 1:30. The infield was covered and it was misty.  Off came the tarp.  I think that I could have helped them roll it up if I had moved in quickly enough.

Proposal accepted

It is a routine at Hadlock to have a collection of folks throw first balls.  Within that collection today was a college student (Husson?) and his girlfriend.  Unbeknownst to the girl, the guy had written, “Will you marry me?” on the ball that was going to be tossed.  When his turn came to throw the ball, he presented it to his girlfriend as he got down on his knee.  He asked the Big Question and got a positive response.  Whatever works!

In a 7-inning game (first half of a double-header) the Sea Dogs won 3-0.  Jalen Beeks, Portland starter, was in serious bases-loaded trouble in first inning but escaped it.  The lefty was impressive in his six innings.

Aneury Tavarez, who is way too good for AA, had two hits and scored the first Portland run.  He wouldn’t have scored if the Trenton leftfielder (Billy McKinney) hadn’t bobbled a single that came his way.

Nick Longhi in dugout after homer

Boston’s #11 prospect (Nick Longhi) is also with Portland.  Nick is a first basemen.  He homered over the Hadlock monster to get Portland’s second run.  His full face is still a rumor to me but I did get him heavily covered in the Sea Dog’s dugout after the long one.

Rafael was very good at 3B.  He made a terrific stop on a ball to his left.  His arm is strong.  He was not cheated at the plate.  His swing looked long to me but he did make contact.  How well the left-handed batter does against lefties may well determine how fast he moves to Pawtucket.

I also got my first look at outfielder Danny Mars.  It is extremely hard to imagine a bright future for an outfielder in the Red Sox farm system with youngsters Bradley, Betts, and Benintendi already at Fenway.  Danny looks like a pretty good hitter.  Injuries happen.  Trades happen.  We’ll see how Danny’s future plays out.

Miguel Andujar

I did not see Prospect 7 (Justin Sheffield) or Prospect 8 (Chance Adams) as both are Yankee pitchers.  With numbers on the front of their uniforms, I would have a chance when they came from the clubhouse.  Minus the numbers, I’m in trouble, unless they’re starters.  Maybe in May?

I did see Miguel Andujar (#10 Yankee prospect) again.  He was playing shortstop last year but with Gleyber Torres on the team he has switched to third.  The 22-year-old will make the majors in time.

I may be the only one who looks forward to it but the Slugger race is big to me.  I want the big guy to win.  I want that losing streak ended and I want to see it when it happens.  I wish I could coach Slugger.  Today he rounded second, his opponent was going in the opposite direction, with a nice lead.  Stay the course and grab the W would have been my coaching encouragement.  But not today.  Slugger felt a breeze (It was a windy day) and raised his arms and got blown off course.  While he’s trying to re-navigate his course, his chance for a victory dissolves.  His opponent had another gear from third to home and won handily.  Slugger, even in defeat, tried to be friendly afterwards but the young winner did not appear to reciprocate.

I enjoyed the visit and thank Chris Cameron for arranging it.  There is good baseball at affordable prices at Hadlock Field in Portland.

(All pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Aneury Tavarez scores first Portland run

Dante Bichette jr

Rafael Devers

Danny Mars

Rafael Devers

Rafael swings

Rafael Devers

Rafael Devers

Slugger has the early lead

Slugger caught in a draft

Post-race confrontation

 

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April 17, 2017 · 4:22 pm

Bryana Michitson records 500th strikeout in 13-4 Haverhill win over Newburyport

Ashley Moore stole two bases, hit a home run, and make a nice catch in rightfield

Bryana Michitson and catcher Andrea Albano celebrate the last out

(Newburyport MA) Senior Bryana Michitson recorded her 500th strikeout as Haverhill defeated Newburyport, 13-4, on a sunny morning/afternoon at Pepe Field on Monday.

Bryana (Assumption commit) also had a home run in the Hillies 5th inning.  She limited the Clippers to three singles.

Newburyport (0-4) fell behind by three runs early but were able to keep the deficit there until a 12-batter, 7-run Haverhill 6th inning settled this one.

The Hillies (2-2) had a tough loss to Merrimack Valley Conference rival Central Catholic on Saturday, after the visiting Raiders rallied for nine runs in the last two innings to win, 14-12.

No rallies in today’s game.  Bryana saw to that striking out thirteen including two in every inning except the sixth.

That sixth inning looked promising for the Clippers.  After a dropped fly ball (Lindsay Joubert CF) and a single (Meghan Winn), there was a single by Jade Carpenter.  Bases loaded?  Not today.  Meghan overran second and Kerri McLaughlin’s throw to SS Molly McGonagle produced an out at second.  Newburyport ended up getting just one run out of an inning that could have started with the bases loaded and no outs.

Sophomore Ashley Moore paced Haverhill with three hits (including a home run in the 7-run sixth inning), and three RBI.  Ashley also stole two bases and made a nice running catch in the Newburyport 5th.

Meghan Winn tries to avoid the tag of Molly McGonagle

Sophomore Jadynne Hill scored three runs and drove in two runs for the Hillies.

Newburyport’s most productive inning was the third.  Catcher’s interference and a Haverhill infield error turned into a run with an infield hit by Anne Siemasko.  Later in that same inning Meghan Winn walked and the ball eluded Haverhill catcher Andrea Albano.  Paige Gouldthorpe alertly came home and teammate Anne Siemasko followed when Andrea’s throw got past pitcher Bryana Michitson.

Haverhill collected four hits in a row (Lindsay Joubert, Andrea Albano, Jadynne Hill, Bryana Mitchitson) before Ashley Moore’s homer in the decisive sixth inning.

Today’s win was Bryana’s 34th.  Quite a career and still counting.  There have been four no-hitters so far and a perfect game.  Most strikeouts in a game?  Last year she had nineteen versus North Andover.

Coach Kara Milillo (3rd year) has also been a big story at Haverhill.  She has definitely turned a team that was 29-67 around making the post-season last year for the first time in six years.

Newburyport pitcher Paige Gouldthorpe chases a ball that deflected off her in the first inning

It has been a struggle for Newburyport.  They have lost 12 of their last 13 games going back into last season.  Playing two MVC teams (North Andover, Haverhill) back-to-back is a tough way to turn things around.  Ahead is the Cape Ann League schedule and I would expect the Clippers to start putting W’s together.

Weather was remarkable for April.

This game actually started ten minutes early.  Glad I decided to be ½ hour early!

Haverhill – 3-0-2-0-1-7-0 = 13

Newburyport – 0-0-3-0-0-1-0 = 4

(All pictures will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

(Retweeting this story is the best way I know of to get this story to those who would enjoy it.)

Bryana Michitson – 505 strikeouts and 34 wins

Loose ball near second base

Baserunners Andrea Albano and Jadynne Hill on the move in the first inning

Anne Siemasko had a hit, an RBI, and scored a run

CF Anne Siemasko on the run for a fly ball

Bryana Michitson circles the bases

Ashley Moore slides home safely

Molly McGonagle scored a run and drove in two runs

Jadynne Hill beats throw home

Ashley Moore makes a nice catch

Mikayla Sargent steals 2B

Ashley Moore rounds 3B after homer

Ball goes off the glove of CF Lindsay Joubert

Jessica Meehan

 

 

 

 

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