As the Taunton softball dynasty rolls on, senior Cate Larson steps into starring roll
Liv Mendonca
(Bridgewater State) and Lincoln, providing steady relief or a spot start.
Now, it's her team.
'I was hoping for but also expecting a role like that,' said Larson. 'It's definitely something to smile about when you look back on your day.'
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Larson has worked diligently to hone her command and improve her spin rates. She's able to fire a full arsenal on both sides of the plate.
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'She's always had really good command,' said Taunton coach
Michelle Raposo
. 'The spin on her ball, she worked really hard on increasing her velocity. Her change up is really good.
'She's ready to perform for her team and battle for her team,' added Raposo. 'I couldn't ask for a better player to step up.'
Cate Larson, committed to Georgetown, will take over in the circle for Taunton this spring.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Larson, alongside Providence-bound shortstop
Brooke Aldrich
, will captain the top-ranked Tigers, who return eight starters from last spring's undefeated season.
'She's one of my best friends,' said Aldrich. 'We've grown up our whole lives together, played softball together since we were 7 years old. It's kind of surreal in a way.'
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Larson, who first picked up a softball at 6 years old and began pitching at 9, serves as a pitching coach for youth softball players, working regularly with a handful of elementary-age kids.
It's a full circle moment for Larson, who sees herself in those that she mentors. Her pupils aren't the only ones learning; Larson finds the experience rewarding, as well.
'Once I'm able to teach someone else how to pitch and how to be more confident, I'm learning more myself,' she said.
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Taunton will be counting on sophomore catcher Aniyah Bailey to contribute this season.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Larson will be buoyed by a ferocious Tigers lineup headlined by Aldrich, sophomore catcher
Aniyah Bailey
, and sophomore third baseman
Bella Bourque
. Bailey and Bourque put the bat on the ball and possess plus power. They are the backbone of a lineup which features junior speedster
Mia Torres
and junior
Gracie Oliveira
, who is committed to Maine.
Despite eight starters returning, 41 tried out for the Taunton team. For a team steeped in success, the next wave of great players roll through the youth program.
'The camaraderie of softball in our city is huge,' said Raposo. 'There's still that huge group of girls that come out to play together. Forming those bonds at a young age, going through all of those trials and tribulations, coming out to a school with an elite program.'
Once in the program, leadership takes care of itself. The younger players observe how the upperclassmen go about their business and follow suit.
'They lead by example,' said Raposo. 'They're in the weight room in the offseason. They're out hitting every day. You see their presence and you see them working every day.'
It's a tried and true formula, and it's led to a lot of hardware in Taunton.
Michelle Raposo is entering her third season as Taunton softball coach.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Extra bases
▪ After falling short in the
'After we took that next step, everyone in the [Cape Ann League] knew that you were good,' said Georgetown coach
Jay Santomassino
. 'Now, everyone in the state knows that you are good. You guys are going to get everyone's top game, top pitcher.'
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Junior
Maddie Grant
assumes duties once again in the circle. The Royals might have been ahead of schedule last season, but they have recalibrated expectations and loaded up with a daunting schedule.
'We expect to be there again this year and next year, but it's not going to be easy,' said Santomassino. 'It's going to take everyone, and everyone supporting each other.'
▪ Needing to fill spots in the starting lineup, Methuen does not enjoy the same luxury of starting on second base.
Four seniors graduated to the college ranks, a testament to the Rangers' talent.
Now, senior second baseman
Bella Medeiros
, senior first baseman
Colleen McNamara
, and junior outfielder
Adriana Delaney
take the reins.
'I'm looking to them to show the younger kids the Ranger way, the way it's been done the past 10 years or so,' said Methuen coach
Jason Smith
. 'We've been fortunate enough to enjoy success over the past couple of years.'
Sophomore
Arianna Marchand
takes over in the circle after getting plenty of experience on JV last season. Freshmen
Addie Campbell
,
Ainsley Low
,
Ava Nartiff
, and
Samantha Chalupa
will be counted on to make an impact.
The team has gotten off on the right foot, as many played on the basketball team, which Medeiros captained this winter.
'That has carried over into the softball season,' said Smith. 'They already came together as a group and helped work the youth tryouts, in the cage and with fly balls for their evaluation.'
Cam Kerry can be reached at
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