Silver Lake softball senses the opportunity to take its dynasty to another level
A two-time
Moquin routinely zips her fastball in the mid-to-high-60s, yet showcases a full arsenal.
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'The confidence that she has in her pitches has increased over the four years and is really peaking right now,' said Silver Lake coach
Tony Pina
. 'She knows what she wants her pitches to do and how to use them against batters. There's a confidence in that and you can feel that. It's tangible now.'
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Her command of the circle helps her at the plate, where she cracked 11 homers and 40 RBIs last season, anchoring a dangerous Lakers lineup. Aware of each minute detail, she processes her pitching into how to attack offensively.
'It gives me an advantage because I'm able to know where the umpire's strike zone is,' said Moquin. 'I think I see it differently than other players.'
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Moquin and Wheaton-bound senior first baseman
Madyson Bryan
strike fear into opposing pitchers, possessing effortless power from well-disciplined swings. Either could break the Silver Lake career home run record.
Senior center fielder
Alannah Waters
can absolutely fly, providing a speedy threat atop the lineup and a vacuum in center field. Senior
Addison Willett
and sophomore
Anna Craft
are among the seven Patriot League All-Stars that return to a loaded squad.
Senior first baseman Madyson Bryan and Silver Lake softball have their eye on the prize this season.
Debee Tlumacki
The past two seasons, the Lakers have succumbed in the Division 2 quarterfinals. With a mindful senior class and plenty of chemistry, the bar's been raised on what's possible this season.
'I think a successful senior season is winning the Patriot League again — that's something that we always strive for,' said Moquin. 'I think that we have a chance to make it farther than we have the last couple of years in the tournament. Definitely making at least a final four would be pretty successful for us.'
Silver Lake is a softball school. In 20 years of Patriot League softball, the Lakers boast 18 championships. In 12 seasons under Pina's leadership, the Lakers have lost four league games.
Dynastic doesn't begin to describe it.
'Patriot League softball runs through Silver Lake,' said Pina. 'That's something that we pride ourselves on.'
Delaney Moquin struck out 265 batters in 138 innings last season.
Debee Tlumacki
Two games into the young campaign, the fifth-ranked Lakers (2-0) have outscored their opposition by a staggering 43-0 margin.
Pina, an energetic and upbeat presence, fosters an atmosphere of communication and camaraderie, combining a group of players who went from playing against one another in town ball to rowing the same boat. Pina galvanizes the group, yet their friendship shines through, constantly talking in the dugout.
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'I think it's good that we have a coach like that,' said Bryan. 'He's so passionate.'
With nonleague games against La Salle (R.I.), Central Catholic, Lincoln-Sudbury, and Wachusett, the Lakers will be tested against some of New England's best. Moquin will get the ball — a challenge she relishes.
'I'm getting the sense that something special is near,' said Pina. 'The end of a hall of fame worthy career is on the home stretch.'
Tony Pina has coached Silver Lake for a dozen years, losing just four Patriot League games in that stretch.
Debee Tlumacki
Extra bases
▪ Abington has started off undefeated (3-0) with just one run allowed.
'We have a new nucleus this year,' coach
Jenna Olen
said. 'I think we've been doing things the right way, but we play some really high-caliber teams [this season].'
Setting the tone on and off the field are senior shortstop
Brenna Howley
and junior pitcher
Elsie Testa
, both four-year starters. Sophomore catcher
Maddie MacDonald
moved from second base this season, and has impressed.
After
Upcoming matchups against No. 20 Middleborough and No. 10 Bedford should serve as proper tests.
Congrats to Greenwave pitcher Elsie Testa on throwing a perfect game. Testa was dominant striking out 14 of the 15 batters she faced in the 12-0 win against Carver.
— Green Wave Girls Softball (@greenwave_ball)
▪ So far, so good for No. 15 Norton, which sits 4-0 and has allowed two runs. Junior captain
Liana Danubio
has been perfect, hurling consecutive shutouts, including one against 17th-ranked Attleboro.
▪ Bristol-Plymouth's offense has been staggering in the early going, averaging 24 runs per game and bringing 31 across against Nauset in a Friday afternoon slugfest.
▪ Needham alum and current Bentley catcher
Maddie Baker
was named Northeast-10 Rookie of the Week for the second time this season. The four-time Bay State MVP is batting .329 with 10 RBIs, and carries a .979 fielding percentage.
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Games to watch
Wednesday, No. 12 Bridgewater-Raynham at Greater New Bedford, 3:45 p.m.
— After a close battle with No. 7 Joseph Case last week, GNB has the potential to make some noise against another highly regarded team.
Wednesday, No. 3 Dighton-Rehoboth at No. 7 Joseph Case, 4 p.m.
— Two Top 10-ranked South Coast programs will go head-to-head in a midweek battle, continuing a quality early schedule for both squads.
Thursday, No. 18 Notre Dame (Hingham) at No. 16 Weymouth
— The Cougars look to keep a hot start going, while the Wildcats need a response after a loss to Duxbury last week.
Friday, No. 9 Walpole at No. 4 Lincoln-Sudbury, 4:30 p.m.
— Walpole faces its first major test of the season: a road trip to a top-5 opponent.
Correspondent Joe Eachus contributed to this story.
Cam Kerry can be reached at
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