Tag Archives: Hayley Catania

June 14, 2018 · 10:12 pm

Amesbury softball surprises St. Mary’s 4-2 in Division 3 North semifinals

Hayley Catania ended the first and fifth with consecutive strikeouts

Emma DiPietro (triple) scored in the 5th inning to tie the game

(Lowell MA) Neither team expected to even be in this game!

St. Mary’s was young while Amesbury was seriously reconstructed.

On this afternoon, it was the reconstructed team that put enough pieces together to win the Division 3 North softball semifinals 4-2 at Martin Field in Lowell.

The top piece for Amesbury (15-8) was senior Hayley Catania. The AHS pitcher allowed five hits (three of them in the first inning) and struck out ten Spartans. But there’s more to the story: Hayley also had two hits and an RBI. Her alert baserunning keyed one of the Indians runs in the 2-run fifth.

Shortstop Alyssa Grossi makes a nice running catch

Both teams had powered past quarter-final opponents. St. Mary’s had four homers versus Pope John while Amesbury had three long ones against Lynnfield.

Today’s contest had only two loud hits and both of them were by Amesbury. Emma DiPietro had a triple in the 2-run fifth and Hayley had an RBI double in the Indians 2-run seventh.

St. Mary’s (14-9) scratched out a run in the first. Consecutive singles (Felicia D’Alessandro, Marina DiBiasio, Jordan Sullivan) produced a run. This was where Amesbury’s Hayley Catania gave us a glimpse of the kind of game she would have as she then struck out Jennie Iudice and Taylor Sullivan to end the inning.

Amesbury had runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings, but pitcher Lily Newhall kept the ball in the infield and escaped being scored on.

Starting with the 2 K’s in the first inning, Hayley retired eleven in a row including six strikeouts.

While the pitching was terrific for Amesbury they still trailed by a run until the fifth inning.

Emma Catania singled home a run in the 5th but was thrown out stretching it.

Junior Emma DiPietro tripled with one out over CF Christina Nowicki’s head. Hayley Catania walked but on ball four the ball got away from catcher Jordan Sullivan allowing Emma to score and tie the game. Hayley alertly took second when the Spartans concentrated too much on Emma crossing the plate. That alertness paid off for AHS because when her sophomore sister Emma singled to center, Hayley came home with the go-ahead run.

Now down, 2-1, the pressure was on the St. Mary’s offense. Alyssa Grossi singled to center opening the bottom of the 5^th. A sacrifice bunt (Katie O’Neill) moved her to second with one out. But here came Hayley Catania, doing exactly as she had done in the first inning, striking out the next two batters (Angelina Catino and Christina Nowicki) to hold the slim lead.

Emma DiPietro’s triple goes over CF Christina Nowicki’s head

Both teams went down in order in the sixth.

The seventh was not for the weak of heart on either team!

Amesbury put two runners on with no one out on a walk (Emily O’Donnell) and Julia Campbell reaching on an error by pitcher Christina Nowicki. Freshman Maddie DiPietro pinch ran for Emily. That brought up Hayley and St. Mary’s coach Paige Licata had a meeting at the mound.

“We talked about walking her (Hayley),” said Coach Licata. “I told Christina (Nowicki) to keep the ball away from her, and she did, but the ball was still pulled to left. With a hitter like that you take your lumps and hope you can produce more runs.”

Hayley took that outside pitch over LF Julia Nickolau’s head bringing Maddie DiPietro across and getting Julia Campbell to third. Senior Hannaih Burdick’s grounder to second enabled Julia to tally Amesbury’s 4^th run.

Maddie DiPietro (8) and Julia Campbell (10) wait on the bases to see if Hayley Catania’s long fly will be caught….it wasn’t.

Hayley Catania happy to survive the St. Mary’s 7th

The Indians would need those extra runs in St. Mary’s final at-bats. Things started harmlessly enough (for Amesbury) as two Spartans struck out. Then Hayley walked Alyssa Grossi and Katie O’Neill followed with a 2-strike single to right.

Was a miracle comeback about to happen?

The Spartans created a rundown between first and second and Alyssa Grossi scored as Katie O’Neill got back to first safely. Now the tying run was at the plate.

But Hayley got Angelina Catino to fly out to RF Karleigh Walker insuring Amesbury a trip to Saturday’s North final against Austin Prep.

The Indians reaching the D3 North surprised their coach (Jacqui Waters) as much as anyone: “I have only two players playing where they played last year. This is all ecstasy to me. I never thought we’d be here.”

Lily Newhall gave up five hits over six innings.

Coach Paige Licata was surprised that her team made it as well: “We started 0-3 with a team with no seniors and two juniors. Today we used a 7^th grader (Angelina Catino) at first and an 8^th grader (Lily Newhall) pitching. There was no one crying afterwards because everyone will be back.”

Hayley Catania: “To beat St. Mary’s was a first for me. My best pitch today (like against Lynnfield) was my drop curve.”

St. Mary’s had only three outfield outs, all to RF Karleigh Walker.

Coach Waters: “Our two seniors (Hannaih Burdick & Hayley Catania) have held this team together. Often graduated seniors aren’t like that but our two have stayed attentive. We practice three hours a day, six days a week on the basics and go at it as hard as we can. We’ve gotten better and better as the season has progressed. I learned that approach from previous coach Chris Perry and it has paid off.”

Weather looked as if it could rain at any time.

RF Karleigh Walker successfully handled three fly balls including the one that ended the game.

Funny moment: I asked Coach Licata about Hayley’s pitching and she said that she’d coached against her two years ago. She then asked me laughing, “She’s a senior, I hope, isn’t she?”

No one I talked to afterwards knew when the last time was that Amesbury softball had beaten St. Mary’s. Coach Waters guessed that it might have been 2005. It had obviously been a while!

I did see Amesbury soccer defeat St. Mary’s in the tournament this season at Landry Stadium.

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

Christina Nowicki

Waiting for the game to start

Pitcher Christina Nowicki loses the ball attempting to tag Julia Campbell

Maddie DiPietro turns 3B and heads home in the 7th inning

Hayley Catania after the win

Victory hugs

2B Felicia D’Alessandro tosses to first

Hayley Catania throws to first

Shortstop Alyssa Grossi throws to first

Freshman Marina DiBiaso

3B Julia Campbell throws out bunter Katie O’Neill

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Filed under Amesbury, St. Mary's

Tagged as Emma Catania, Emma DiPietro, Hayley Catania, Jordan Sullivan, Lily Newhall

June 12, 2018 · 9:41 pm

Amesbury bats drop Lynnfield 13-1 in D3 North quarterfinals

Emma Catania had a 3-run homer in the first inning

Freshman Maddie DiPietro crosses home in the sixth inning with the game-ending run

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury coach Jacqui Water told me after today’s game that her team had done a lot of extra hitting lately.

That information might help explain the hitting barrage the Indians unleashed on Lynnfield during a 13-1 mercy-ending D3 North quarterfinals game on sunny Tuesday afternoon.

The game ended in the Amesbury 6^th when the Indians took a twelve-run lead.

Today’s tournament contest got away from the Pioneers early. Amesbury had ten runs on ten hits after just two innings.

Unfortunately, for Lynnfield, their hitting was held in check by senior Hayley Catania. Hayley allowed only four hits and struck out nine batters. During one section of the game she retired eight in a row.

The Indians season continues as they advance to the D3 north semis on Thursday (3:30PM) at Martin Field in Lowell against St. Mary’s.

On May 2^nd the Pioneers had rallied with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Amesbury, 7-6, at Lynnfield.

Hayley Catania pitched a 4-hitter with nine strikeouts

Coach Waters remembered it: “I wasn’t comfortable with our lead today because of it.”

LHS coach Paul Marinelli said that his defense was partly responsible for today’s bad start: “We gave away too many things in the beginning. We got in a hole as a result and couldn’t get out.”

The Pioneers best scoring chance was in the sixth when they loaded the bases with two outs. Hayley Catania, however, struck out Jillian Babine to end that threat.

Stranded baserunners were rare for Amesbury. They stranded just three in six innings.

The Indians had homers in each of the first three innings. Sophomore Emma Catania hit her HR into the gap in left center in the first. Freshman Julia Campbell hit an opposite field liner that lasered past RF Gabby Langone in the second. Senior Hayley Catania also hit into the left-center gap and the ball rolled nearly to the stadium wall in the third inning.

Hayley would also round the bases in the second inning when her hard-hit single to left went through LF Allie Wing. The Pioneers were quick to retrieve the ball and Hayley had to slide into home to score.

Freshman Chloe Shapleigh homered in the 3rd inning

A while ago the Indians celebrated Seniors Day at their last home game. I assumed that Amesbury (14-8) wouldn’t have any tournament home games. So I asked senior Hayley Catania about her favorite memories of Perry Field after the Senior’s game.

Not so fast! The #11 Amesbury won their tourney opener over Shawsheen on the road and #14 Lynnfield did the same with O’Bryant. That brought the quarterfinals game back to Amesbury today. Today I was certain that Hayley won’t be playing on Perry Field again when we talked after the game. “It was a nice last game here today – to hit well and pitch well,” said Hayley afterwards.

LHS freshman Chloe Shapleigh had one of those good and not-so-good games. The good? Chloe was the Pioneers’ leadoff batter and went three-for-three including a long homer to right. Chloe’s teammates had only one hit among them.

The not-so-good? The LHS shortstop had four errors by my count. One was on a bobbled grounder but the other three were on throws, two of them to first base. The other throw was an attempted flip toss to third in the sixth inning that went over 3B Jillian Babine’s head and allowed Maddy DiPietro to score the game-ending run. I strongly suspect that Chloe’s defense will improve and will combine with her good hitting to impress Cape Ann League teams over the next three seasons.

Julia Campbell celebrates her home run in the second inning

One of Amesbury’s best shortstops (Maddie Napoli) was home from college and in the house today.

Emma Catania drove in four runs for Amesbury.

Meg McElaney and Hayley Catania each collected three hits for the Indians. Hayley also scored three runs.

Coach Waters had good words for seniors Hannaih Burdick and Hayley Catania: “Sometimes you lose the seniors after they graduate, and the season is still going on. These two have kept the team going.”

Senior Hayley O’Brien

Hayley Catania: “My drop curve was working well today. When they loaded the bases (6^th inning) I had to focus a little more.”

Coach Marinelli: “We graduate one senior (pitcher Hayley O’Brien) so we should be good next year. Amesbury has always been a good team and I would rather play them than some of the Boston teams in the tournament.”

Hayley O’Brien will be attending Fitchburg State next year and expects to play softball there.

A little windy at times today but the temperature made for a pleasant afternoon.

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

Hayley Catania slides under the tag of Allie Wing

Meg McElaney scores the 10th Amesbury run

Taylor Tringali

Hayley Catania homered in the third inning

Breanna Serabian

Shortstop Emma DiPietro snags a line drive

Play at second

Shortstop Chloe Shapleigh throws to first

Emma DiPietro

Shortstop Chloe Shapleigh flips toward third base.

Hayley O’Brien

Emma DiPietro leads off the game with an infield hit

Reilly Ganter

RF Gabby Langone

Shortstop Chloe Shapleigh sets to tag out Emma DiPietro

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Filed under Amesbury, Lynnfield

Tagged as Chloe Shapleigh, Emma Catania, Hayley Catania, Hayley O'Brien, Julia Campbell, Meg McElaney

May 30, 2018 · 9:47 pm

Amesbury rallies past Manchester-Essex 5-2 on Senior Day

Senior Hayley Catania pitched a 3-hitter with 7 strikeouts

3B Molly Field sets to throw to first

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury took advantage of some shaky Manchester-Essex defense and defeated the Hornets, 5-2, on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.

“We took advantage of mistakes,” said Amesbury coach Jacquie Waters afterwards. “Their pitcher (Sydney Levasseur) was very good.”

Three Indians reached on errors and all three would score.

Today the Amesbury seniors (Haley Catania, Caitlin Conrad, Hannaih Burdick) were honored.

Haley celebrated in her own way pitching a 3-hitter and striking out seven Hornets.

Bella Graves tripled and scored a run in the second inning

Hannaih had two of the Indians five hits and drove in a run.

ME coach Frank Sarro was named Coach-of-the-year in the Cape Ann League last night. Qualifying for the post-season was big news at Manchester-Essex. I asked Frank when they had last qualified and he guessed it was 16-20 years ago. Then I asked him when was the last time ME had defeated Amesbury. He wasn’t sure that they ever had. That streak is at least thirteen, according to Mascores, going back to the 2011 season.

But today the Hornets had their chances. This game went into the sixth inning with Amesbury holding on to a very slim 3-2 lead. “The way the game was going was making me nervous,” recalled Coach Waters.

In the Manchester-Essex 6^th, Hayley Catania struck out Taylor Reader but then walked Molly Field and Kristen Harding. When the UMass (Boston) commit fell behind Sydney Levasseur 3-0 that one-run lead looked to be in serious jeopardy. But back came Hayley to throw strikes and get Sydney swinging. “That was a good comeback after going down in the count,” said Hayley afterwards. Shortstop Emma DiPietro’s strong throw to first finished the inning and the Indians one-run lead was still standing.

Maddie DiPietro crosses home in the Amesbury sixth

In the seventh inning, two ME errors allowed the Indians to pad their lead by two runs and Hayley set down the Hornets 1-2-3 in their last at-bats to preserve the W.

Manchester-Essex took the lead in the second inning after Bella Graves’ triple to right center was followed by Michaela Edelstein’s bloop single to right field.

Amesbury tied it up in the third. Hayley Catania singled to left and took second when Ella De Gaspe Beaubien bobbled the ball. Hannaih Burdick’s single between third and short scored Hayley.

In the Manchester-Essex fourth, they took advantage of an Amesbury drop (2B Abby Aponas) to retake the lead. Molly Field reached on the error and later would cross home on a fielder’s choice by Bella Graves. Amesbury shortstop Emma Dipietro ended the Hornets scoring by assisting on the final out on a ball to deep short with a runner on third.

Amesbury pulled ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Meg McElaney walked, stole second and scored on SS Kristen Hardy’s 2-base throwing error. Karleigh Walker, who reached second on the error, took third on a wild pitch and home on a passed ball.

Hayley Catania gets the assist on the final out of the game

The Indians created a 3-run cushion in the sixth. Emma Catania reached on Molly Field’s 2-base throwing error and later pinchrunner Maddie DiPietro scored when 1B Michaela Edelstein, looking into a tough sun, couldn’t come up with Lauren Hale’s high chopper. Later in the inning, Abby Aponas scored on a wild pitch.

As you can see, ME was in this game but just didn’t play tight enough defense to end a “forever” streak against Amesbury.

“He (Frank Sarro) has done a nice coaching job with them,” said Coach Waters.

The D3 Hornets finish the regular season with a 10-10 record. Coach Sarro credited the team’s senior leadership (Kristen Harding, Taylor Reader) for making it possible.

“I thought that we kind of got caught up in the festivities of today, but Hayley came through again for us,” explained Coach Waters.

The AHS coach was pleased with her team’s comeback after being down 2-1 in the 4^th. “We haven’t done that enough this year.”

Emma DiPietro steals second base

Amesbury (12-7) has Concord-Carlisle tomorrow (Thursday) away before the tourney pairing come out on June 5^th. No home tournament game for the Indians this time around.

That made today’s game the last one for Hayley on the home field. “I have lots of memories from playing here,” she said. Biggest one? “It probably was my freshman year when we beat North Reading in the bottom of the 7^th inning.” The NR Hornets have a 50-game win streak still going against Cape Ann League teams during the regular season. That streak goes back into Hayley’s freshman year.

I asked her about her pitching today: “My fastball and my drop curve were working but not my rise.”

There were many foul balls to the right side today. A testimony to the speed of both pitchers.

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

Kaylin Franceour

Catcher Claire Gendron eyes a foul pop

Karleigh Walker scores on a passed ball

Meg McElaney steals second

Michaela Edelstein

2B Bella Graves flips to first

Emma DiPietro made all the plays at shortstop today

Hannaih Burdick and 3B Molly Field

Abby Aponas

Hornets outfielders – Ella De Gaspe Beaubien, Taylor Reader, Sophia Pomeroy

Steal attempt by Molly Field in the first inning

Hayley, Caitlin, Hannaih

Hayley Catania

Hannaih Burdick

Caitlin Conrad

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Filed under Amesbury, Manchester-Essex

Tagged as Bella Graves, Caitlin Conrad, Coach Frank Sarro, Hannaih Burdick, Hayley Catania

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 4^th 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 3^rd 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 4^th 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 4^th 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.)

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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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Filed under Amesbury, Pentucket

Tagged as Hayley Catania, Kaylie Cloutier, Madi Codair, Mikayla Porcaro, Sage Dodier

June 5, 2016 · 8:47 pm

Amesbury advances to D3 North quarterfinals with convincing 9-2 win over Mount Alvernia

Adrienne Harris greeted by teammates at home after a 2-run homer in the third inning

Senior 2B Lauren Fedorchak leaps for a throw as Abby Duggan slides.

(Amesbury MA) The Amesbury Indians took down Mt. Alvernia, 9-2, on a drizzly Sunday afternoon to reach the quarterfinals in D3 North softball.

The Mustangs (13-7) came in with three straight shutouts, including a 12-0 win over Cathedral in the D3 North preliminary round.

That trio of consecutive shutouts ended quickly as sophomore Caity Baker (three hits/two rbi) delivered a two-run homer to left in the first inning at fence-less Perry Field.

The Indians (17-4) were back with another two-run dinger (Adrienne Harris) in the third inning after gathering three runs in the second inning. Adrienne’s shot also sailed over the leftfielder’s head and rolled forever.

Both AHS homers would probably have cleared fences.

Sophomore Caity Baker – three hits including a 2-run homer in the first inning

The Mustangs had eight hits off AHS pitcher Haley Catania but only in the one-run seventh did they put more than one hit together. And also, only one of those hits (triple) was for extra bases.

On the other hand, Amesbury had five extra-base hits and multiple hits in the first four innings and scored in each of those innings.

This afternoon featured an Amesbury defense that was error free. Second baseman Lauren Fedorchak started 4-3 double plays in the sixth and seventh innings.

Down 8-1 in the fifth inning, the Mustangs wrecked a promising inning by running into two outs on the base paths. Abby Duggan broke for third on a grounder back to Haley Catania. Haley looked toward first and then alertly tossed instead to 3B Adrienne Harris who had Abby by a lot. Later in the inning Maeve Moynihan was tagged out by shortstop Maddie Napoli trying to steal.

Shortstop Maddie Napoli lunges and tags out Maeve Maynihan

Shortstop Maddie Napoli lunges and tags out Maeve Moynihan

That tag-out by Maddie on the attempted steal was quite remarkable. The Player-of-the-Year in the Cape Ann League Kinney Division appeared to intercept the throw from catcher Caity Baker to 2B Lauren Fedorchak and then lunged to apply the tag. Very athletic move!

Five wild pitches allowed Amesbury to put up three runs in the second inning. A wild pitch put Adrienne Harris in scoring position after a walk and she scored on Haley Catania’s RBI double. A wild pitch moved Haley to third and she scored when Maddie Napoli singled to center. Maddie got to third on wild pitches and later scored the third run of the inning after yet another backstop ball.

Abby Duggan gets past pitcher Haley Catania scoring the first MA run

Abby Duggan created the first Mount Alvernia run in the third inning. The speedy junior singled, stole second, and reached third on a fielder’s choice. She scampered home on a wild pitch.

Amesbury added solo runs in the 4^th and 6^th.

In the fourth, a hustle double by Caity Baker (head-first slide into second) produced a run after Megan Reid followed with a triple to right center. The Mustangs’ centerfielder (Kaley Moran) nearly made a highlight-reel snag of Megan’s shot. AHS could have had another run but Megan chose to stay at third when a two-out infield popup was dropped by the pitcher.

Megan Reid jars the ball loose at second

In the sixth, alert base-running paid off for the Indians. After Caity Baker singled and Megan Reid walked, Caity raced to third after a pickoff toss to first. Later, Megan stole second by sliding in and dislodging the tag attempt enough that Caity had time to slip home with the 9^th AHS run.

Amesbury’s 9-1 lead going into the top of the seventh got a bit tenuous after a triple (Una Gavin) and a one-out RBI by freshman Alyssa Newton. The next two batters reached, loading the bases with one out. But senior Lauren Fedorchak started her second 4-3 double play to end the game.

Maeve Moynihan, Abby Duggan, and Una Gavin each had two hits for MA.

Centerfielder Kaley Moran chases a fly ball

Mount Alvernia was 14-4 in 2015 and reached the D3 North quarterfinals.

I arrived late to the game after expecting it might be called off by the rainy forecast. Some games were called off. However, with the Mustangs traveling from Newton any postponement needed to happen hours earlier.

The Indians will take on #4 seed St. Mary’s on Wednesday night at Breed Middle School in Lynn in the D3 North quarterfinals. The #5 seed Indians may regret those two losses to powerhouse D1 Concord-Carlisle this season because they might have avoided St. Mary’s this early and their second game in the tournament probably would have been in Amesbury. But playing tough competition such as CC during the season can help prepare a team for the tourney.

I was at Martin Field in Lowell two years ago when Amesbury lost to the Spartans, 8-5, in the D3 North finals. On that afternoon AHS went down 7-0 early but made things close at the end. This time around Collen Newbury will not be coaching St. Mary’s.

Augie, Coach Waters’ dog, did not attend today’s game but his name came up between innings in the fifth inning.

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

Shortstop Maddie Napoli

Pitcher Haley Catania

Lauren Fedorchak starts a game-ending double play

Brooke Dougherty

Vicky Valdez

Maddie Napoli scores the 5th AHS run on a wild pitch

3B Adrienne Harris throws to first

Caity Baker slides in with a hustle double as Maggie Doldt takes the throw

Lauren Fedorchak tags before throwing to first for a double play in the 6th inning

Zoe Sweeney

Abby Duggan thrown out at third in the top of the fifth

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Filed under Amesbury, Mount Alvernia

Tagged as Abby Duggan, Adrienne Harris, Caity Baker, Hayley Catania, Maddie Napoli, Mount Alvernia

May 12, 2016 · 8:04 pm

Hayley Catania holds Newburyport to one hit in 6-0 shutout

Hayley Catania struck out nine Clippers and allowed only one hit

Hayley Catania prepares to throw to first

(Amesbury MA) Sophomore Hayley Catania tossed a one-hitter and recorded nine strikeouts as Amesbury defeated Newburyport, 6-0, on a sunny Thursday afternoon.

Hayley retired the last ten Clippers she faced and also drove in a run in Amesbury’s two-run first with a sacrifice fly.

Sophomore Caity Baker had the big hit for the Indians when she homered to left center in the sixth inning. No fence at Amesbury Middle School so Caity’s line drive rolled a long way. There was no play at the plate.

Newburyport’s only hit came in the fourth when freshman Olivia Salvatore lined to right.

Freshman Olivia Salvatore had Newburyport’s only hit

In much of the game the Clippers struggled to make contact. It was a game in which most of the pitches taken by Newburyport batters were usually strikes and most of the pitches swung at were missed.

It has been a rough last eight days for Newburyport. The Clippers went into the eight days 6-5 but after today’s loss are now 6-9.

Amesbury (10-2) has won six straight and have qualified for the post-season tournament.

The Clippers did get Paige Gouldthorpe to third base in the first inning but a Caitlin Clarke groundout ended the threat.

The Indians took the lead (for good) in the first inning. Maddie Napoli reached on a bunt and then stole second on a very close play. Senior Zoe Fitzgerald singled to right center scoring Maddie. Zoe took second on the throw in from the outfield and reached third on a Stephanie Gleason wild pitch. Hayley’s sacrifice fly delivered Zoe.

Hannaih Burdick had an RBI in the third inning

Amesbury added two more runs in the second inning. Caity Baker singled down the third base line and reached second on a passed ball and third on Adrienne Harris’ sacrifice bunt. She scored on Hannaih Burdick’s infield out.

Lauren Fedorchak continued the inning with a bunt single and then stole second base. Maddie Napoli drove Lauren home with Amesbury’s fourth run.

Paige Gouldthorpe reached second with two outs in the third but Hayley was able to catch freshman Annie Siemasko looking to end the inning.

In the Amesbury third Emily Robinson got caught rounding second and was tagged out after a brief rundown by third baseman Colleen Twomey.

In the Amesbury fifth, with Hayley on second, centerfielder Paige Gouldthorpe made a nice catch of Emily Robinson’s line drive to end the inning.

Caity Baker (13) celebrates her sixth-inning home run

An infield single by senior Megan Reid was followed by Caity Baker’s home run in the sixth inning.

Maddie Napoli, Megan Reid, and Caity Baker each had two hits for Amesbury.

Former Clippers’ softball player Jackie Colby was honored before the game.

This game was played in just over an hour. Both pitchers (Hayley Catania/Stephanie Gleason) threw strikes. There was only one walk between them.

Autumn Kligerman was in the house. What a season she had last year for the Indians.

Amesbury box

Newburyport box

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

Paige Gouldthorpe played well in centerfield

Chloe Kramer

Adrienne Harris

Bridget Ramsden

Jackie Colby

Lauren Fedorchak puts the tag on Colleen Twomey

Emily Robinson caught in a rundown

Stephanie Gleason

Freshman Annie Siemasko awaits the throw as Maddie Napoli starts to slide

Emily Dobson

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Filed under Amesbury, Newburyport

Tagged as Caity Baker, Hayley Catania, Maddie Napoli, Olivia Salvatore

June 8, 2015 · 10:19 pm

Amesbury rallies past Rockport 6-4 in D3 North softball quarterfinals

Miranda Roller and Emily Robinson collide at second base

Kayla Parisi scores the 4th Rockport run

(Amesbury MA) Rockport built up a 4-run lead after three innings but the #1 seed Amesbury took over from there getting a 6-4 decision on Monday afternoon.

The Indians (19-2) now advance to the D3 North semifinals on Wednesday afternoon (4PM) against Winthrop at Martin Field in Lowell.

#9 seed Rockport (14-6) hit the ball hard (six hits in the first three innings) and benefited from two Amesbury defensive lapses to get ahead 4-0 after three innings.

But after the third inning Amesbury tightened up their defense and took advantage of errors and wild pitches to get the lead in the fifth. An insurance run was added in the sixth.

Hayley Catania – 2 RBI & complete-game win

Hayley Catania, after not holding a runner on third which allowed her to score in the Rockport second, was masterful thereafter. In the fifth Hayley, protecting a one-run lead with a runner (Miranda Roller) on third, got a strikeout and a flyout to end the threat.

Hayley at the bat? Timely. The freshman had two-out, RBI singles in the 4^th and 5^th.

The game ended on a play at third. Jess Collins grounded out shortstop-to-first with one out but baserunner Miranda Roller (on second) decided to try for third after the out at first. Unfortunate decision. First baseman Zoe Fitzgerald fired a strike to teammate Autumn Kligerman at third and Miranda never came close to reaching the base.

In the Rockport second, Rachel Balestraci doubled in Emily Faulds. Rachel was sacrificed to third by Allie Davis with one out. Allie’s sister Rachel grounded back to AHS pitcher Hayley Catania. Instead of looking the runner back at third, Hayley threw to first which allowed Allie to score Rockport’s second run.

In the Rockport third, an Emily Faulds’ single to right with two outs drove in Miranda Roller. On the same play Kayla Parisi reached third and literally stole home unnoticed by the Amesbury infield. Meagan Aponas made a nice catch in center to end that inning.

In the Amesbury fourth, Autumn Kligerman’s sinking fly to left fell off Allie Davis’ glove allowing Autumn to get second with two outs. Hayley Catania delivered Autumn.

CF Rachel Haselgard about to save a run with a terrific catch

The Vikings still held a 4-1 lead but the Amesbury fifth would give them the lead. A walk, a play that wasn’t made at second, and a wild pitch all led to Indians’ runs. It was only a great running catch by RHS centerfielder Rachel Haselgard for the final out that kept the damage to four runs.

In the Rockport sixth, the Vikings had two on and two out when Rachel Haselgard drilled a liner to AHS shortstop Maddie Napoli.

Now up 5-4 after five, the Indians added one more. Megan Reid reached on an error but was cut down on Lauren Fedorchak’s fielder’s choice. From there Lauren stole second and went to third on a wild pitch with two outs. Maddie Napoli’s ground single to deep third scored Lauren.

Meaghan Wonson was injured (nose) during Rockport’s pre-game infield practice but recovered in time to play the game. Yet another reason for infielders to wear masks.

Rockport catcher KT Favoloro made several nice plays on foul pops.

Amesbury defeated Rockport in April (14-9) and May (10-5).

Miranda Roller had a 3-run homer in Rockport’s opening round win over Greater Lawrence.

Amesbury box

Rockport box

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Miranda Roller

Meaghan Wonson gets treatment

close play at first

Lauren Fedorchak

Catcher Caity Baker comes out after a bunt

Jess Collins pitched for Rockport

Rockport coach Diane Parisi in front of the crowd

trouble in the Rockport outfield

Miranda Roller and Autumn Kligerman

AHS coach Chris Perry

close play at second

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Filed under Amesbury, Rockport

Tagged as Allie Davis, Autumn Kligerman, Emily Faulds, Hayley Catania, Kayla Parisi, Lauren Fedorchak, Maddie Napoli, Meaghan Wonson, Rachel Haselgard, Zoe Fitzgerald

June 6, 2015 · 9:50 pm

Amesbury recovers to win First Round softball 14-5 over Lynnfield

Zoe Fitzgerald races to first with the final out.

Annika Han scores the first Lynnfield run

(Amesbury MA) The #1 seed Amesbury recovered from a 3-run Lynnfield first inning and went on to defeat the Pioneers, 14-5, in Round One of the D3 North softball tournament on Saturday afternoon.

The Indians (18-3) will now face another Cape Ann League team (Rockport) in the quarterfinals on Monday afternoon at Amesbury’s newly named Chris Perry Field.

The #16 seed Pioneers (13-9) came out of the gates hitting AHS starter Hayley Catania hard getting three hits and three runs in the first inning. After that the Indians freshman scattered five hits (and two runs) while striking out five.

Meanwhile the Amesbury bats were loud and never seemed to quiet down against LHS starter senior Sadie Oliver. Everyone in the Indians lineup had hits in Amesbury’s fourteen-hit afternoon. Also, every batter scored at least one run. It was quite the hitting show.

Sam Stone paced Amesbury with three hits. Autumn Kligerman and Zoe Fitzgerald each homered. Autumn’s was down the left-field line and seemed to roll forever. Zoe’s was a blast over leftfielder Leigh Guerra.

Seniors Hannah Travers and Kelly Hosterman each had two hits for Lynnfield.

Very impressed with LHS centerfielder Annika Han. The Lynnfield junior had a quick jump on fly balls and registered six putouts.

Maddie Napoli on her way to a terrific running catch

Another defensive standout was Amesbury shortstop Maddie Napoli. The AHS sophomore recovered from a first-inning bad throw to stay clean the rest of the way. Maddie turned in the play-of-the-game in the 4^th inning with a running catch toward the left-field foul line off the bat of Olivia DeLuca. In the promising Pioneers’ (two on, nobody out) sixth, Maddie caught an LHS baserunner off second base.

Sadie Oliver tossed a 2-hitter in Lynnfield’s 12-0 win over O’Bryant in the preliminary round.

Amesbury defeated Lynnfield in April (8-3), May (9-1), and today in June.

Amesbury box

Lynnfield box

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