With poise beyond her years, freshman Akira'ley Vasquez pitches No. 10 Greater New Bedford softball past No. 2 Norton
'Honestly, it means a lot,' said Vasquez. 'I've dreamed of playing varsity in high school since I was a little girl.'
Norton , MA -June 7 Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School Softball pitcher #4 AKira'ley Vazquez during a pitch against Norton High School Women softball team during game action. They were playing in a Division 3 quarterfinal in Norton, MA on , June 7 22025. New Bedford won game 5-0. (Jonathan Wiggs Globe /Staff )
Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
Sophomore Leah Perez and senior Alexia Tsonis singled before senior Zoe Teixeira drew a walk, loading the bases for Vasquez with one out. Vasquez turned on a belt-high pitch and drove it hard into the left-field gap.
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'I was just looking for a strike — anything in the zone,' she said.
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Teixeira scored on a fielder's choice and sophomore Janiah Cooper whacked a two-run single through the left side of the infield.
'That was huge,' said Soares of the five-run explosion. 'That's never expected, obviously, especially when you get this deep in the tournament.'
From there, Vasquez entered cruise control, confident pitching in front of a strong defense while armed with a lead.
Norton , MA -June 7 Norton High School softball player #29 Lucy Perachio collides with Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School Softbal player #4 AKira'ley Vazquez at home plate in game action. They were playing in a Division 3 quarterfinal in Norton, MA on , June 7 22025. New Bedford won game 5-0. (Jonathan Wiggs Globe /Staff )
Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
Vasquez has emerged as a vital piece for the Bears (17-8), anchoring the lineup from the No. 3 and commanding the circle. It's not an easy feat to jump in as a freshman — never mind take the reins, although the Bears have some experience with this when freshman Madison Camara helped pitch them to the 2018 championship..
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Greater New Bedford's Olivia Araujo attempts to tag out Maddie Medeiros at second base.
Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
Before the season, Soares didn't know who Vasquez was. Now, she's counted on in key spots and has the team's full trust.
'She's already grown from the beginning of the year until now,' said Soares. 'She's a good kid. She's a competitor, she hates to lose. Hates to lose.'
Junior Liana Danubio scattered six hits and three walks, striking out 10 for the Lancers (20-3).
The Bears, who won state titles in 2018 and 2022, are back in the semifinals.
Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
Division 3 State
Dighton-Rehoboth 2, Gloucester 1 —
Mia Ribeiro doubled and Skye Harrison drove her home to walk it off in the eighth inning for the top-seeded Falcons (22-2) in a quarterfinal victory. No. 8 Gloucester (18-5) had six runners caught stealing by D-R catcher Emma Horrocks, who scored the Falcons' other run on a Cam Cloonan sac fly in the first inning.
Cam Kerry can be reached at
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