Prep softball roundup: Norco to play El Modena for Southern Section Division 1 title
Top-seeded Norco has made it to the Southern Section Division 1 softball championship game.
The Cougars knocked off Ayala 6-1 in Saturday's semifinals. Ashley Duran led the offensive attack with three hits and two RBIs. A three-run second inning gave a nice cushion for pitcher Coral Williams, who threw a three-hitter with four strikeouts.
Norco will play El Modena in next weekend's championship game in Irvine.
El Modena turned to the top of its lineup in a 13-3 win over Temescal Canyon. Leadoff batter Kaitlyn Galasso had a home run, double, single and three RBIs. Kylie Tafua, who hits behind Galasso, added two hits and three RBIs. Then there was Parker Mayes, who had a home run and five RBIs.
JSerra 9, Great Oaks 6: Melia Munoz hit a three-run home run to help the Lions advance to the Division 2 championship game against Los Alamitos.
Los Alamitos 7, Santa Margarita 6: Erin Denny had a two-run home run and finished with four RBIs for Los Alamitos. Santa Margarita hit three home runs.
Long Beach Poly 13, Harvard-Westlake 12: Ki'ele Ho-Ching hit two home runs and had three RBIs for the Jackrabbits. The Wolverines tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring five runs. Kale'a Tindal had four hits and four RBIs for Harvard-Westlake. Poly will play Warren for the Division 4 championship.
Westlake 7, La Palma Kennedy 4: Kira Palmer had four hits to help the Warriors advance to the Division 3 championship against Marina with an eight-inning win. Marina defeated St. Paul 3-1 in the other semifinal.
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Boston Globe
14 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Nine takeaways from Wednesday, when girls' golf champions were crowned and Georgetown hired a new basketball coach
Here's our coverage of all the days action: 1. Upset central The first No. 1 seed fell on Monday when Taunton baseball was upended by No. 32 Winchester in the Division 1 first round. On Wednesday, the second No. 1 seed was eliminated, and once again it came on the baseball diamond, where No. 16 Apponequet took care of No. 1 St. Mary's behind three hits and three RBIs from Gabe Zuber and 4⅔ innings of one-hit relief from Pete Kanakis . Advertisement Taunton and St. Mary's are the only No. 1 seeds to have lost in any MIAA spring tournament thus far, but two No. 4 seeds fell Wednesday. Previously, the only No. 4 seed to be knocked out was Apponequet boys tennis, but the Lakers got some company when No. 4 Old Rochester girls' tennis lost, 3-2, to No. 13 Danvers in the second round of the Division 3 tourney, and No. 4 Shawsheen baseball, which was 20-0 during the regular season, was eliminated, 5-4, from the Division 3 bracket by No. 13 Wakefield. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Also falling was two-time defending champion Seekonk baseball, the No. 6 seed in Division 4, which dropped a 6-3 second-round game to No. 11 Dennis-Yarmouth. Advertisement 2. Milestones Hamilton-Wenham girls' tennis senior Naomi Provost recorded her 80th career win in a 4-1 Division 4 quarterfinals victory over Cohasset, extending her own school record. Also for the Generals, girls' lacrosse junior Evie Bernard surpassed 300 career goals during an eight-tally performance in a 20-6 second-round win over Swampscott in the Division 4 tournament. Medfield boys' lacrosse junior Braeden Sutton scored nine times, including the 200th point of his career, in a 22-5 Division 3 second-round win over North Middlesex. Andover senior Jack Cooper matched the program's single-game record by scoring seven goals in a 20-9 second-round win over Andover in the Division 1 boys' lacrosse bracket. King Philip senior Liv Petrillo not only slugged two home runs, but she reached 100 career hits and 100 career runs in a 12-0 Division 1 second-round softball win over Newton North. Also in the D1 softball bracket, Weymouth junior Jill Ondrick notched her 750th career strikeout, but it came in a season-ending 7-1 loss to Taunton in the second round. 3. Walkoff wins Manchester Essex boys' lacrosse survived Pentucket, 9-8, on Luke Renzi's overtime winner, which came after he won a faceoff in the second round of the Division 4 tournament. Nantucket girls' lacrosse won similarly, with Dylan Damian netting the OT goal to beat Manchester Essex, 7-6, in the Division 4 second round. 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Daily lacrosse leaderboard Goals Braeden Sutton , Medfield, 9 Evie Bernard , Hamilton-Wenham, 8 Reese Bromby , Newburyport, 7 Jack Cooper , Andover, 7 Caroline Nozzolillo , Westwood, 7 Thomas Donovan , Mansfield, 6 Cece Levrault , Apponequet, 6 Eddie Breslin , Medfield, 5 Tristan Clayton , Acton-Boxborough, 5 Jameson Murphy , Falmouth, 5 Lucas Ogden , Dracut, 5 Emilie Demaio , Westwood, 4 Jack Sovik , Duxbury, 4 Cece Thurmond , Westwood, 4 Points Breslin, Medfield, 11 Sutton, Medfield, 10 Bromby, Newburyport, 8 Matt Grafton , Abington, 8 Finn Wright Jr. , Ipswich, 8 Cooper, Andover, 7 Liam Goodwin , Duxbury, 7 Grace Maroney , Hingham, 7 Nozzolillo, Westwood, 7 Will Cronin , Acton-Boxborough, 6 Levrault, Apponequet, 6 Nico Smith , Medfield, 6 7. Daily strikeout leaderboard Cate Larson , Taunton, 18 Alyx Rossi , Bedford, 16 Kelsey Blanchette , Lincoln-Sudbury, 14 Kiley Hogan , Tyngsborough, 13 Brian Mancinelli , St. John Paul II, 12 Jack Peabody , Mansfield, 11 Advertisement Taryn Clancy , Middleborough, 10 Sharlotte Stazinski , Walpole, 10 Joe Coughlan , Sandwich, 9 Kaylee Gendron , Plymouth South, 9 Mikey St. Martin , Walpole, 9 Lila Alvarez , Joseph Case, 8 Bridget Mulkeen , Westwood, 8 8. Boys' lacrosse has a home After a long search, a venue has been secured for the boys' lacrosse finals. All four divisions will play at Mass. Maritime Academy's Clean Harbor Stadium in Bourne on June 14. Game times are scheduled for 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Time slots will be assigned to the divisions based on the finalists. The girls' lacrosse finals will once again be held at Babson College with two divisions playing June 12 at 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. and two finals June 13 on the same schedule. 9. Coaching carousel Georgetown boys' basketball, coming off a Division 4 state title, has a new coach. After coach Josh Keilty left for St. Mary's, the school announced the hiring of Kevin Fair , a Milford High Hall of Famer (class of '91) who is still the Scarlet Hawks' all-time leader in rebounds, steals, and blocks. Fair also coaches the Royals' girls' soccer team and was named the 2024 MIAA Division 5 Coach of the Year. 🚨Royal News: 🏀New Head Boys Basketball Coach: Kevin Fair Elected to Milford High School Athletic HoF in 2018. MHS all time basketball leader in rebounds, steals, blocks. Fair currently is the Royals Girls Soccer Coach and was the 2024 MIAA D5 COY — Georgetown Royals Athletics (@GMHS_Royals) Brendan Kurie can be reached at
Boston Globe
19 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Alyx Rossi out-does herself, tossing perfect game and blasting two homers to keep Bedford softball dancing
The knock paid dividends, as Rossi finished what she started, striking out 16 Duxbury hitters Wednesday to cement her second perfect game of the season. The Boston College-bound southpaw, who recently eclipsed 900 career strikeouts, fueled Bedford to a 10-0 second-round triumph in the Division 2 tournament at Helen Gfroerer Field. Rossi also blasted two solo home runs, helping the third-seeded Buccaneers (19-1) move within three wins of their first state title since 1990. Rossi, who transferred back to Bedford from Austin Prep as a junior, is grateful for one final ride with her sister, Annie, and childhood friends. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'We're all feeding off each other, celebrating each other, and picking each other up,' Rossi said. Advertisement Alyx Rossi poses with the game ball after pitching a perfect game to defeat Duxbury and adding two home runs. Trevor Hass It was a tough ending to a breakout season for the 19th-seeded Dragons (10-9), who will return the vast majority of their team next year after earning the program's first tournament victory since 2013 this spring. The Dragons made Rossi work, and flew around in the field, yet simply ran into a buzz saw earlier than they would have liked. 'It's difficult to put into words the work that they put in and the turnaround that they had at the speed and the pace that they had it,' said Duxbury coach Mike Barba. 'It's a great group of girls, off the field more importantly. I'm super proud of them. The sky's the limit going forward.' Advertisement But on this day, the Dragons had no answers for Rossi, who smacked the first pitch she saw over the right-field fence, then Becca Sobol extended the Buccaneers' margin to 3-0 through two innings. Kate Patterson provided a two-run double, Alice Cooprider and Mia Vitti ripped RBI singles, and Rossi added another homer for good measure. 'Yesterday, we ended practice a little early,' said Bedford coach Dennis Walsh. 'I said anyone who wants to stay, we'll do a little extra. She stayed for extra batting practice, and it paid off. I asked her if I could get a little bit of credit.' Rossi made it clear success belongs to the entire program, but it's clear the Buccaneers will continue to lean on her overpowering repertoire as they try to make history. Next up is a date with No. 6 Tewksbury on Sunday, in a rematch of last year's quarterfinal, won 2-0 by Bedford. The Buccaneers made the quarterfinals two years ago, the semifinals last year, and are determined to go the distance this spring. 'We set a goal at the start of the year,' Walsh said. 'Finals or bust.' Division 2 State Tewksbury 6, Reading 5 — With two outs and the tying runner on third base, Redmen pitcher Gabe Davis jammed the Rockets hitter into a pop-fly to center field as sixth-seeded Tewksbury (19-3) held on for a dramatic second-round win against No. 11 Reading (19-3). 'Keep cool, hit spots,' said Tewksbury coach Kirsten Dick, on the mentality against the final batter. 'If you miss your spots, we have a problem.' She praised Davis for staying cool, calm, and collected in a hectic final frame. 'Other pitchers could let that internalize and she doesn't let that get to her,' said Dick. Sydney Whalen drove in three runs (a two-run single and a sac fly), leading a balanced offensive attack in which four players recorded an RBI. For Dick, a first-year coach, the ride continues. 'It's been surreal,' she said. 'I didn't know what to expect coming in. I know that Tewksbury is a great program and has been for years.' Advertisement Globe correspondent Cam Kerry contributed to this report. Trevor Hass can be reached at
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Boston Globe
Nine takeaways from Tuesday, including an emotional night in Milford and the Gatorade baseball player of the year
And then dive into the rest of our Tuesday coverage: 1. Milestones Duxbury senior Caroline Villarin (5 goals) and sophomore Gabby Fisher (2 goals) both reached 100 career points in a 16-1 Division 2 second-round win over Scituate, which saw Skippers senior Katie Tarsala net her 400th career point. Foxborough junior Addie Riley reached 200 career points in a 17-7 win over North Middlesex in the Division 3 tournament. Advertisement Final: Foxboro 17 North Middlesex 7. Very proud of this group. Keep it rolling 💪 Big congrats to junior Addie Riley on hitting 200th Career Point milestone. — Foxboro Girls Lacrosse (@CoachKFoxGlax) Norwell's Charlotte Pithie notched her 500th career save in a 16-5 Division 4 second-round win over Lynnfield. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Westford Academy senior Emma Carmichael scored three first-quarter goals and finished with 10, setting a new single-game playoff record for the program in From Monday: Ipswich boys' lacrosse coach Glenn Foster notched his 350th career win in a 14-1 Division 4 first-round playoff victory over South Hadley . . . Senior Delaney Moquin became the all-time home run leader for Silver Lake softball by crushing a pair of three-run blasts, giving the Fairfield-bound pitcher 23 homers for her career . . . Scituate senior Willy Robinson became the program's all-time leading goal scorer with 284, the latest coming in a 17-8 second-round win in the Division 3 boys' lacrosse tournament . . . Acton-Boxborough senior setter Parth Pawar recorded his 2,000th career assist in a 3-1 win over Braintree in the second round of the Division 1 tournament . . . On Saturday, King Philip sophomore Ryleigh Waldner recorded her 100th career point in a 17-6 first-round win over Brookline. Advertisement Scituate's new All Time leader in career goals scored, Willy Robinson! He needed 5 goals to tie and 6 to take the lead and he delivered! Congrats Willy! — Mark Puzzangara (@CoachPuzzPE_Lax) 2. Going, going, gone Bishop Feehan's Julia Cohen and Maddie Coupal provided most of the day's power, blasting back-to-back bombs in the fifth inning of a 10-1 Division 1 win over Andover. AMSA's Grace Galvin added a homer in a 13-1 Division 4 win over Douglas. 3. Four stars Vittoria Cuscia , Foxborough and Abby Noble , Gloucester — They both tossed no-hitters, with Cuscia only needing to go five innings in a 15-0 Division 3 first-round win over Hudson, while Noble, a freshman, blanked Bishop Fenwick, 9-0, in the second round of the Division 3 tournament. Mia Holmes , East Bridgewater — The junior came on in the first inning in relief of Maggie Schlossberg and proceeded to strike out 17 of the 20 batters she faced to finish with a combined no-hitter of Lynnfield in the second round of the Division 4 tournament. Erin O'Day , Uxbridge — The junior, who is verbally committed to UMass, not only struck out 11 in the circle but helped her own cause with two hits, three runs, and an RBI in a 4-2 Division 4 second-round win over Pittsfield. 4. Daily lacrosse leaderboard Goals Shane Mulcahy , Cohasset, 7 Catherine Craig , Chelmsford, 5 Gus Greene , Cohasset, 5 Isa Robinson , North Andover, 5 Caroline Villarin , Duxbury, 5 Connor Wicken , Reading, 5 Advertisement Allie Wile , Ipswich, 5 Murphy Belvin , BC High, 4 Seamus Cable , Wakefield, 4 Nick Emsing , BC High, 4 Michael Ferraro , Bishop Feehan, 4 Maddy Lubov , Ursuline, 4 Katie Maheu , Ursuline, 4 Brayden Mattera , Walpole, 4 Ryan Metsis , Wakefield, 4 Aine Norton , Cohasset, 4 Points Mulcahy, Cohasset, 9 Craig, Chelmsford, 8 Kate Greer , Cohasset, 7 Zack Lindmark , Reading, 7 Ella McCarthy , Ipswich, 7 Robinson, North Andover, 7 Brady Zdanowicz , Wakefield, 7 Ferraro, Bishop Feehan, 6 Greene, Cohasset, 6 Mattera, Walpole, 6 Wile, Ipswich, 6 5. Daily strikeout leaderboard Mia Holmes , East Bridgewater, 17 Maddie Grant , Georgetown, 14 Reese Taylor , Apponequet, 13 Mylee Ramer , Bishop Feehan, 12 Erin O'Day , Uxbridge, 11 Liana Danubio , Norton, 10 Jillian Macfarlane , Maynard, 10 Akiira'Ley Vazquez , Greater New Bedford, 8 Shayna Bakun , Wachusett, 7 6. McCafferty named top baseball player Austin Prep junior catcher Bradley McCafferty is the 2025 Gatorade Massachusetts Baseball Player of the Year after leading the Cougars to a 20-2 record. The 6-foot-1-inch, 195-pounder has verbally committed to Duke and is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in Massachusetts by Perfect Game. 'He's a stud and a very good player,' said Phillips Exeter coach Tim Mitropolous in a release. 'First-class kid, as well.' McCafferty hit .367 with two homers, 23 RBIs, and 22 runs, notching a .474 on-base percentage and .550 slugging percentage. He threw out 36.8 percent of would-be base-stealers and is a two-time All-NEPSAC selection. He is ranked as the No. 4 New England prospect in the Class of 2026 by Prep Baseball Report, maintains a 3.47 weighted GPA, and volunteers at a local rehab center and as a youth baseball coach. 7. Commitment tracker Newbury native London Timothy will play men's soccer at New Hampshire. Timothy played for Seacoast United of MLS NEXT from 2021-23 after spending the 2020-21 season with Real Salt Lake Academy and 2017-20 with the New England Revolution Academy. Advertisement "London has great character and we believe he is someone who will develop into a very impactful member of our backline for years to come. We are very excited for London to add to our group both on and off the field." - Rich Weinrebe Story ➡️ — UNH Men's Soccer (@UNHMSoccer) Aidan McGrath will play with the Ireland 16U basketball team in the 2025 FIBA Youth EuroBasket tournament. The 6-foot-5-inch guard is reclassifying and will be a freshman at Thayer in the fall after earning Patriot League All-Star honors last winter as a freshman at North Quincy. FIBA U16 EuroBasket will be held Aug. 7-12 in North Macedonia. Ireland is in a group with Slovakia, Cyprus, Poland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and host North Macedonia. 8. Coaching carousel Hamilton-Wenham has brought in a former All-American as its new gymnastics coach. Rebecca Brady will take over for Chris Way , who had led the Generals co-op (which includes Ipswich and Rockport) since 2018. Brady was a two-time All-American and a Level 10 National Qualifier while at Southern Connecticut, which she attended after leading Pinkerton Academy (N.H.) to a state championship. Brady has worked at Iron Rail Gymnastics Academy in Wenham for the past two years, while also continuing her coaching education through USA Gymnastics. She has also instructed at Off the Wall Gymnastics in Plaistow, N.H. Helen Bess will remain on staff as an assistant. 9. College corner Bates sophomore Isabel Bettencourt , a Peabody graduate, was named All-State by the Maine College Baseball and Softball Association. She was also named second team All-Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and first team All-NESCAC. Bettencourt hit .378 with a .550 slugging percentage and led the Bobcats with three home runs and 28 RBIs. Bates junior Ella Maher , a Newton North graduate, was a second-team All-State selection at shortstop after hitting .308 with a .403 on-base percentage. Advertisement WPI designated hitter Andrew Cash , an AMSA graduate from Marlborough, was selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association Division 3 Region 1 All-Region team. Cash led the Engineers with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs, finishing with a .361 average and a team-best .723 slugging percentage. Brendan Kurie can be reached at
