Tag Archives: Maddie Napoli

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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Filed under Amesbury, Concord-Carlisle

Tagged as Alyssa Attonito, Caity Baker, Maddie Napoli, Nicole Small, Virginia Ryan

March 2, 2017 · 11:53 pm

Second half surge gets tourney win for Amesbury 48-34 over North Reading

Abbie Sartori (17 points) fires from the corner

Maddie Napoli (13 ponts) floats in the lane

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury was in trouble.

Tied with North Reading (27-27) 2 ½ minutes into the second half, and having top scorer Flannery O’Connor and starter Julia LaMontagne benched with foul trouble, the #1 seeded Indians appeared headed for a short post-season.

But Amesbury recovered and put together an impressive 19-1 segment over the next 10+ minutes of playing time and went from there to win, 48-34, on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Division 3 North tournament.

The Indians (20-1) will play the winner of tomorrow night’s matchup between Green Academy and St. Mary’s.

#8 seed North Reading got off to a rough start as senior Maddie Napoli (13 points) hit two three’s in the first 4 ½ minutes and the Indians led, 13-1.

Kat Hassapis (16 points) finds space in the lane

But the Hornets came all the way back riding the terrific play of senior Kat Hassapis. Kat’s three, halfway through the 2^nd period, put the visitors in front, 18-17.

The Indians finished the half on a 7-2 run, helped by two technical foul shots, to lead at intermission, 27-22.

As I referenced before, Amesbury got into foul trouble early in the second half. Losing Flannery O’Connor was serious since the sophomore had twenty-three points in the last NR/AHS meeting and only had four points so far in this one.

After the Hornets (11-12) knotted things at 27, the Indians took the game over for the next 10+ minutes of playing time. Ali Napoli and Chelsea Lynch replaced their foul-prone teammates and before long Amesbury was going one way and North Reading was going the other.

In the 19-1 breakaway time, senior Abbie Sartori hit three jump shots and one triple while freshman Ali Napoli made a neat move in the lane to get a layup and assisted on three of the AHS baskets.

On the NR side, scoring was a big-time struggle. The Hornets missed five-of-six free throws and had seven turnovers.

Mia DeNofrio

When North Reading finally made a field goal (Mia DeNorfio) with two minutes left, the visitors were down, 46-28, and the game had gotten away from them.

Mikayla Porcaro had a 3-pointer and a successful jump shot during Amesbury’s winning run.

Abbie Sartori led all scorers with seventeen points.

NR used a box-and-one to try to keep Flannery O’Connor from getting the ball. Worked quite well although Flannery found some room inside late in the game.

The Indians defeated North Reading, 72-57, on January 6^th. The Hornets made eight three’s in the first half of that game. Amesbury’s 1-3-1 zone defense worked well this time around, however, by limiting NR to only three long ones in this tourney win.

North Reading was called for a technical foul after a player entered the game and their name was not in the official scorebook.

Good crowd on hand.

Box for North Reading

Box for Amesbury

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

Lauren Sullivan blocks from behind

Flannery O’Connor draws a crowd

Loose ball

Kat Hassapis defended by the Napoli sisters

Noel Riley

Amesbury cheerleaders show how it’s done

Mikayla Porcaro and Victoria Grasso

Flannery O’Connor with Abbie Sartori

Maddie Napoli

Abbie Sartori

Kat Hassapis and Ali Napoli (Two pretty good goalies in another season)

Casey McAuliffe (#10) had two three’s

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Filed under Amesbury, North Reading

Tagged as Abbie Sartori, Ali Napoli, Flannery O'Connor, Kat Hassapis, Maddie Napoli

January 16, 2017 · 11:27 pm

Third quarter surge key in undefeated Amesbury’s 44-30 win over Triton

Flannery O’Connor (#12) had ten points for Amesbury in the third period.

Tessa Lafrance (15 points) was shadowed by Maddie Napoli

(Byfield MA) Amesbury (11-0) remains unbeaten after defeating Triton, 44-30, on Monday night in Cape Ann League action.

This game was anything but pretty as the two teams combined for forty-three turnovers and nineteen missed free throws.

How did Amesbury win? The Indians had a 19-3 third quarter. Flannery O’Connor (16 points) had ten points and two assists in the breakaway frame. The Vikings (6-4), meanwhile, had seven turnovers in that same quarter and didn’t score at all in the final four minutes.

The run of good offense/defense by Amesbury brightened a dismal 18-18 first half for both teams.

Triton “won” the other three quarters but certainly not the crucial third quarter and that cost the home team.

Another factor in the Indians’ victory was the denial defense Maddie Napoli played on Tessa Lafrance. Tessa did get fifteen points but eight of them were in the final quarter.

Outside accuracy was almost non-existent for both teams. Amesbury found layups off turnovers and rebound breakouts.

It turned out that Amesbury had an excellent 2-2-1 pressing defense but because of their infrequent baskets we didn’t see much of it in the first half.

Sophomore Flannery O’Connor

Late in the third period, however, was a different story, as AHS turned pressure into points. The Indians closed the 3^rd quarter with ten straight points. Flannery had eight of those points; two of them off Triton turnovers, one on a full-court layup, and a 4^th on a feed from Ali Napoli.

Given the opportunity in the first half to function without facing full-court pressure, Triton was much more comfortable. They passed the ball and they saw to it that Erin Savage was in a position to make plays.

Defensively in the first half, the Vikings forced long shots and really swallowed up Amesbury penetrations.

At halftime, you didn’t know how the second half might go. The Indians, however, did play most of the first half without foul-plagued Flannery. The sophomore certainly made a difference in the third quarter. She can rebound, pass, and score inside.

One scary moment in this game was when Maddie Napoli dove into the stands to save a ball. Maddie collided with a man holding a baby as she saved the ball to her sister Ali. Ali made a layup while Maddie made sure that things were okay in the stands…….and they were.

Amesbury came into this game averaging sixty-four points per outing.

Amesbury matched last season’s win total with their eleventh win.

The Vikings had won four straight before losing their last two.

The undefeated Indians have yet to face Pentucket, Newburyport, and Manchester-Essex. All of those teams have winning records.

Tessa Lafrance puts in a rebound

Amesbury’s next game is Tuesday hosting non-league Stoneham.

Triton visits Essex Tech on Wednesday.

Julia LaMontagne had five baskets and four of them were off feeds from Flannery O’Connor.

Triton box from the game

Amesbury box from the game

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

Ali Napoli scores while her sister Maddie checks on spectators.

Ali Napoli scores while her sister Maddie (in the background) checks on spectators.

loose ball

Maddie Napoli gets to the basket

Chelsea Lynch shoots over Mel Primpas

Maddie Napoli in heavy Triton traffic

Kate Carter

Tessa Lafrance on a break with Abbie Sartori chasing

Abbie Sartori tries to stop Erin Savage

Bridget Sheehan looks for an opening

Chelsea Lynch surrounded by a trio of Vikings

Abbie Sartori and Erin Savage

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Tagged as Erin Savage, Flannery O'Connor, Julia LaMontagne, Maddie Napoli, Tessa LaFrance

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

February 29, 2016 · 11:23 pm

Amesbury routs Charlestown 83-40 in D3 North First Round

Flannery O’Connor on her way to two of her twenty-seven points

Maddie Napoli (11 points) gets past Keila Derosa

(Amesbury MA) No contest.

Amesbury (11-8) jumped on visiting Charlestown (8-9) early and often on their way to an 83-40 win in the First Round of the D3 North tournament on Monday night.

The Townies brought only six players and the Indians were quick to apply as much pressure as possible in an attempt to wear the visitors down.

Amesbury harassed Charlestown into twelve first-quarter turnovers and put up the game’s first nineteen points. AHS had those 19 points in the first 3 ½ minutes. Maddie Napoli (11 points) hit a three in the breakaway segment but everything else came from high-percentage, inside attempts.

Amesbury coach Matt Willis, in an act of early mercy in my opinion, pulled off full-court pressure with the nineteen points lead and Charlestown got a chance to show how they won eight games in the Boston City League.

Rae Miles-Willis (28 points) puts up a floater in the lane

Charlestown mounted a bit of a comeback and the sizable home crowd got a good look at the Townies Rae Miles-Willis (28 points) and her ability to dribble in traffic and put up shots in traffic. The junior lefty didn’t launch long ones but connected on a variety of pull-up jumpers inside the arc.

Rae’s offense, twelve points in the second quarter, enabled Charlestown to trail only, 39-22, at the half.

In the third quarter things went seriously downhill for the Townies. Amesbury collected thirty-two points (that’s four per minute!) on one layup after another. The miscues mounted for C’Town and the Indians had numerous breakaways.

Freshman Flannery O’Connor (27 points) ran her own personal layup drill getting ahead of the pack or loose underneath for ten baskets in the third quarter alone.

By then this game was begging for a basketball mercy rule like softball has. The point separation did give Coach Willis a chance to give all of his players tournament experience.

Leslie Del Carman (20), Zedekzka Berlingeri (14), and Stephany Rodriguez (21)

#7 seed Amesbury will now take on #2 seed Bishop Fenwick at St. John’s Prep (Danvers) on Friday night (7PM). The Indians will have their hands full in that one.

Charlestown ended their season losing seven of their last nine games.

Amesbury finished 7-2 at home. Good turnout in support of the Indians including the boys basketball team. The boys play at home on Wednesday against Saugus.

The Indians shot well from the outside early on but cooled off significantly during the last three quarters. They will definitely need outside shooting against a tall Bishop Fenwick team.

Flannery O’Connor, Megan Reid (12 points), and Julie LaMontagne (12 points) were strong on the boards for Amesbury.

Charlestown finished winless against the Cape Ann League in five attempts. None of the games, including tonight’s, were close. #1 seed North Reading had 71-20 and 59-19 victories over the Townies.

Amesbury boxscore

Charlestown boxscore

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

Rae Miles-Willis guarded by the entire Amesbury team

Abbie Sartori

Game on!

Maddie Napoli guards Rae Miles-Willis

Maddie Napoli gets a layup

Rae Miles-Willis

Flannery O’Connor in heavy Charlestown traffic

Julie LaMontagne (12 points)

Flannery O’Connor

Rae Miles-Willis shoots in the lane

Zoe Fitzgerald

Abbie Sartori and Maddie Napoli chase Rae Miles-Willis

Megan Reid (12 points)

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Tagged as Flannery O'Connor, Julie LaMontagne, Maddie Napoli, Megan Reid, Rae Miles-Willis

December 21, 2015 · 11:15 pm

Cold shooting Georgetown falls to Amesbury 47-35

Abbie Sartori (16 points) had a big night on offense and defense for Amesbury

Rory Donoghue tries to get by Zoe Fitzgerald

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury started in a zone and stayed in a zone defeating Georgetown, 47-35, on Monday night in Cape Ann League play.

If you want to get a team out of a zone, you hit from the outside. The visiting Royals (2-2) only connected from long-range three times and that was not nearly enough to discourage the packed-in Indians (2-1).

Amesbury never trailed and when they put a 16-4 run together an anybody’s game (6-5) got out of reach (22-9) one minute into the second half.

G’Town’s missed three-pointers created long rebounds and Amesbury led by Maddie Napoli were quick to race ahead for layups.

Abbie Sartori (16 points) led all scorers. The AHS junior was on the payoff end of several of the Indians breakaways.

It was a long night for the Royals. The Amesbury zone keyed the passing lanes and harassed Georgetown’s outside shooters. It also seemed that every G’Town possession in close drew at least two defenders.

Hailey Bonia defended by Julia LaMontagne

A telling stat was sixteen Georgetown turnovers in just the first half. Combine cold outside shooting with miscues trying to get inside looks and you can understand the Royals getting only nine points in the first half and behind by eleven.

The Indians had a much better time against the zone used by G’Town. They were able to get the ball into open looks in the corners. There were also some terrific feeds from the corners into Megan Reid (9 points) cutting down the lane.

The Royals closed to within nine points (30-21) after senior Cayla Durkee hit two free throws with three minutes left in the third quarter. But Amesbury answered with a run of seven straight to gain significant separation (37-21). Scorers for the Indians in this segment were Zoe Fitzgerald, Julia LaMontagne, and Abbie Sartori.

Next for Amesbury will be Ipswich at home (6:30PM) on Wednesday.

Next for Georgetown is Hamilton-Wenham at home (6:30PM) on the same night.

Georgetown wanted to full-court press but couldn’t put enough good offense together to get into it.

Maya Spence pursued by Abbie Sartori

Amesbury, 8-12 in 2014-15, looks ready to do better than that this season.

Hamilton-Wenham defeated Amesbury 57-53 three days ago by forcing twenty Amesbury turnovers and making eleven three’s. The Indians may have had twenty turnovers versus Georgetown but they weren’t stung from long range.

Good work by the Amesbury student section. Looked to me as if a number of the members of the boys basketball team were on hand. Nice to see that kind of support.

Amesbury boxscore

Georgetown boxscore

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

Abbie Sartori

Cayla Durkee

Amesbury student section in synch

Maeve McNeill, Megan Reid, and Hailey Bonia battle

Julie LaMontagne (#10) gets off a shot inside

game on!

Flanner O’Connor runs into some Rory Donoghue defense

Megan Reid defended by Cayla Durkee

Maddie Napoli swings down the lane

Freshman Flannery O’Connor gets to the rim

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Tagged as Abbie Sartori, Cayla Durkee, Julia LaMontagne, Maddie Napoli, Megan Reid

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

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

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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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

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

Hayley Catania was the complete game winner

Hannah Travers had two hits for Lynnfield

Kelly Hosterman had two hits

AHS shortstop Maddie Napoli

LHS pitcher Sadie Oliver

Lauren Fedorchak

tough chance in left field

LHS coach Peter Marinelli visits his pitcher

Kelly Dillon (#6) after interfering with Lauren Fedorchak (#15)

close play at second

AHS coach Chris Perry puts the stop on baserunner Hayley Catania

Kelly Dillon fires to first

Autumn Kligerman jumps for joy at the end of the game

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Tagged as Annika Han, Autumn Kligerman, Hannah Travers, Hayley Catania, Kelly Hosterman, Maddie Napoli, Sadie Oliver, Sam Stone, Zoe Fitzgerald

January 5, 2015 · 11:02 pm

Olivia Olson (20 points) leads Newburyport past Amesbury 50-48

Olivia Olson and Morgan Johnson surround Emily Pettigrew after her game-winner

Olivia Olson – 20 points and strong defense

(Newburyport MA) It was one of those nights for Newburyport sophomore Olivia Olson.

Olivia paced the Clippers (2-5) with twenty points but her biggest shot of the night was a complete miss that set up the game-winner in Newburyport’s 50-48, win over Amesbury on Monday night.

Olivia’s late-in-the-game launch was undershot but came right to teammate Emily Pettigrew (11 points) under the basket. Emily, who struggled all game to get open, was wide open on this occasion and cashed the last-second layup to seal the deal for the Clippers.

Amesbury (3-3) had rallied in the last minute on inside scores by Abbie Sartori and McKenzie Cloutier to knot things at 48-48 before Newburyport’s last-second heart breaker.

The Indians were down by as many as eight (23-15) in the first half but miscues by the Clippers in the 3rd quarter (eight turnovers) opened the comeback door for the visitors. Maddie Napoli’s fall-away 3-pointer put Amesbury ahead, 30-28, with 2 1/2 minutes left in the quarter. Newburyport (2-5) responded with seven unanswered points. Amesbury tied the score at 43 (converted rebound by Megan Reid) and later at 48 with seventeen seconds left.

Amanda Martin defended by Olivia Olson

Olivia Olson hit five 3’s getting at least one in each quarter. Her work defending the Indians’ top scorer Amanda Martin was also noteworthy. Olivia limited the Cape Ann League second-teamer to seven free throws. Amanda did miss a number of minutes in the second half because of foul trouble.

The Indians’ zone defense was very effective in keeping the ball away from 6′ Emily Pettigrew (CAL first team). Amesbury’s concentration on the inside opened opportunities on the outside and on this night Olivia Olson took full advantage.

Emily’s layin in the last second won the game but she also had a three from the right corner (set up by Michaela Corvi) that put NHS in front by four with 1 1/2 minutes to go.

Newburyport missed eight free throws (10-for-18) while Amesbury missed only four (14-18).

Maddie Napoli (16 points) guarded by Krysta Padellaro

Sophomore Maddie Napoli (16 points) impressed at point guard for Amesbury. The Indians had only five turnovers in the second half. Maddie hit two 3’s and made several difficult layups in the lane.

Newburyport travels to Everett on Wednesday night. Next for Amesbury is an away game versus Pentucket on Friday night.

No one seemed to know when the last time was that Amesbury defeated Newburyport. Believe me; they nearly pulled it off in this game!

Newburyport box

Amesbury box

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