Thanks to a freshman, Ava Kiley, Reading survive Division 2 first-round scare in extras

Boston Globe

02-06-2025

'All cylinders are firing for her right now,' said Reading coach Dom Gasdia. 'She always comes through. It's absolutely amazing to watch as a coach, how many times she's come through clutch in high pressure situations.'
Kiley went 3 for 4 and scored all four runs, propelling the Rockets (19-2) past the Highlanders (9-9).
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'Hands down MVP material in the conference,' said Gasdia of his star senior. 'She's just clutch. She's always been good, but now she's always on fire. She's really locked in on every aspect of the game.'
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The Rockets, who won the Middlesex League outright, have earned wins in every fashion, including several late game comebacks. From Gasdia's standpoint, it's a whole team effort.
'Everything just keeps on falling into place,' said Gasdia. 'The team never gives up.'
Tewksbury 12, Notre Dame (H) 7 —
Julianna Cappiello blasted a two-run homer after knocking in a pair of runs with a single, as the sixth-seeded Redmen (18-3) picked up a first-round triumph against No. 27 NDA (11-7). Anya Cranston drove in two, Abby Tower cracked a two-run double, pinch-hitter Jordan Doucette scored two on a bases-loaded single, and Sophie Cappiello provided an RBI as the Redmen overcame a five-run deficit in the first inning.
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Division 1 State
Andover 3, Wellesley 1 —
Junior Alivia Baldwin had a pair of hits, including a three-run blast for the No. 12 Golden Warriors (16-5) in a first-round win over No. 21 Wellesley (11-9).
Attleboro 12, Newton South 2 —
Lola Ronayne put on a show, going 3 for 4 with her 16th home run of the season, three runs scored, and a trio of RBIs in a first-round win for the No. 4 Bombardiers (17-4) against No. 29 Newton South (12-8).
Madison Moran finished 2 for 3 with three runs scored and four RBIs, clubbing her sixth home run of the campaign. Jenna Callahan hurled a complete game, allowing one earned run and striking out seven with zero walks. Freshman Kaylee Magnan contributed three hits and an RBI.
Bishop Feehan 5, Peabody 4 —
Bella Silva smacked a walkoff single that plated Mylee Ramer in the bottom of the seventh, propelling the fifth-seeded Shamrocks (17-5) to a dramatic first-round win over No. 28 Peabody (9-12).
Bridgewater-Raynham 13, Acton-Boxborough 3 —
Sophomore Avery Erlichman had three RBIs, including a two-run double in the second inning for the No. 8 Trojans (15-6) in the first-round win. Sophomore Madison DeLano went the distance, fanning seven, to oust No. 25 Acton-Boxborough (12-9).
Wachusett 10, Medford 1
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Addison Scoble went 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs as the second-seeded Mountaineers (19-2) defeated No. 31 Medford (19-3) in first-round action. Shayna Bakun fanned 10 and allowed one run on three hits, adding two hits and an RBI at the plate. Giana Johnson crushed a triple and drove in two.
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Weymouth 6, Beverly 2
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Senior captain Paige Sellon connected for a two-out, two-run single in the third inning, leadoff hitter Bella Pires had a solo HR in the fifth inning, and freshman Viv Palazzo had a two-RBI single in the seventh to power the visiting No. 17 Wildcats (12-9) in the first round against No. 16 Beverly (14-6).
Junior Jill Ondrick had 13 strikeouts to reach 200 on the season and is just two away from 750 for her career (2 seasons prior at Archbishop Williams).
Division 3 State
Bishop Fenwick 22, Hanover 14 —
Sophomore Alyssa Butler was 4 for 4 with a home run, double, four RBIs, and four runs as the No. 24 Crusaders (8-12) outslugged host No. 9 Hanover (15-6) to a first-round upset.
Senior Natasha O'Brien scored a pair of runs and was 4 for 5 with three RBIs, sophomore Sarah Shann had three hits and four RBIs, and senior Lola Amendolare had three RBIs as the Crusaders scored eight runs in the fifth inning.
For the Hawks, senior Abby Hanna blasted her 11th home run of the season, had four RBIs, and scored a pair of runs. Senior Noey Giardina ended her career by going 4 for 5 performance with a double, two RBIs, and three runs scored.
Gloucester 5, Medfield 3 —
Aleena Brown ripped a two-run double down the third base line to highlight a four-run fourth inning in a first-round victory for the No. 8 Fishermen (17-4) over No. 25 Medfield (8-13).
Norton 6, Blackstone Valley 0 —
Junior righthander Liana Danubio scattered five hits with five strikeouts for the No. 2 Lancers (19-2) in the first-round win. From the leadoff spot, she had a pair of hits and three RBIs to beat the No. 31 Beavers (7-15).
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St. Mary's 10, Dedham 6 —
Catherine Newbury tossed 2⅔ scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit and fanning four, to vault the No. 11 Spartans (14-7) to a first-round triumph over No. 22 Dedham (8-11). Olivia DiSessa (3-4, 2 runs, RBI) and Ryleigh Williams (2-2, 2 runs, RBI) sparked a 13-hit game for the victors.
Division 4 State
Tyngsborough 12, Rockland 0 —
Junior righty Kiley Hogan fired five hitless innings with 13 strikeouts for the sixth-seeded Tigers (17-4). As part of a nine-run outburst in the fifth, Hogan blasted a three-run homer and sophomore Hailey McMahon had a two-run single in the first-round win against No. 27 Rockland (7-13).
Uxbridge 13, West Bridgewater 1 —
Junior Erin O'Day fired a 16-strikeout one-hitter for the second-seeded Spartans (20-1) in the first-round win. She also cracked a double, walked four times, and drove in a run. Junior Lola Grube blasted a three-run homer and had seven RBIs against No. 31 West Bridgewater (7-15).
Division 5 State
Georgetown 12, Springfield International 0
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Maddie Grant did not allow a hit or run in five innings and fanned 11 of 15 batters she faced, dazzling in a first-round win for the fourth-seeded Royals (18-3) over No. 29 Springfield Charter (9-13). Ava Fair drove in two on a pair of hits. The Royals broke the game open with a seven-run fourth inning.
Lenny Rowe contributed to this report.