Latest news with #Lancers
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
With poise beyond her years, freshman Akira'ley Vasquez pitches No. 10 Greater New Bedford softball past No. 2 Norton
Vasquez, who just turned 14, showed maturity well beyond her years. She pitched with poise, not backing down from a skilled Lancers lineup. '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. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I was just looking for a strike — anything in the zone,' she said. Related : Advertisement 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.. Advertisement 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
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
St. Francis softball avoids another early NorCal exit with stirring 1st-round win
A year after complete despair brought on by a stunning upset loss in the first round of the Northern California playoffs, the St. Francis softball team experienced the opposite on Tuesday. With her team having been down to its final strike three times, junior outfielder and three-time West Catholic Athletic League MVP Jaime Oakland delivered a run-scoring double to plate May Meltz to tie the score. A few moments later, Peyton Tsao doubled home the winning run to beat Rocklin 3-2 in a Division 1 contest. Last season, following a 4-1 loss to Amador Valley-Pleasanton, the then-undefeated and national No. 1 Lancers tearfully walked off their home field. On Tuesday, they skipped and joyfully celebrated. The third-seeded Lancers (28-3) next travel to No. 2 Del Oro-Loomis (29-2) Thursday in the semifinals. Tuesday's win did end with controversy. Tsao's liner in right-center field appeared to be caught on a diving play. But after huddling, umpires ruled that the ball had bounced. It took nothing away from the emotional win, said St. Francis coach Mike Oakland, who has led the team to a sparkling 209-30 mark since taking over in 2017, including five Central Coast Section titles. The fifth CCS title came Saturday, a wild 9-6, eight-inning win at top seed Willow Glen-San Jose when Hayden Hummel, Tsao, Gabby Rocha and Isabella Sandoval all drove in two runs. Sandoval, Rocha and Hummel are all seniors. 'Our girls have been resilient all year,' Oakland said via text. 'They kept fighting (Tuesday) and found a way to get it done. Rocklin is a very strong team with an elite pitcher. There were no easy innings and we had runners on base most of the game and couldn't get the hit we needed until the end.' More first-round softball: In Division 2, Isabella Rice, Kylee McKinney and Taylor Jennings all blasted home runs to lift No. 4 seed Liberty-Brentwood (24-4) to a 14-3 five-inning home win over Central Catholic-Modesto. The Lions will travel to play top seed Vanden-Fairfield, an 8-6 winner over Foothill-Pleasanton, which got a home run and two RBIs from Alexa Sponsel. … No. 6 seed King's Academy-Sunnyvale (22-7) beat No. 3 Destiny Christian-Sacramento 5-4 behind two hits and two RBIs each from Katia Nesper and Mia Bennette. … In Division 3, Callie Howard threw a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and Andrea Mansberry and Izzie Kunimune each had two hits and two RBIs as second-seed Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa beat Calaveras 5-1. … In Division 5, seventh-seed Balboa (14-4) broke open a close game with a 15-run fifth inning to win 20-3 at Foresthill (Placer County). The Bucs will have another long bus ride to face host and third-seed King City (19-11). Baseball first-round: In Division 1, Tyler Spangler and Antonio Castro had three hits apiece and Bubba Vargas drove in three runs as host and top seed De La Salle-Concord defeated Del Oro 7-3. The Spartans will next host St. Mary's-Stockton (26-8), a 4-3 winner over Valley Christian. Mississippi State-bound Dax Hardcastle launched a game-ending leadoff homer in the seventh for St. Mary's. Christian Navarez had a home run for Valley Christian (25-8-1). … A bases-loaded walk to Tyler Harrison in the 12th inning gave No. 3 seed Serra a 2-1 win over College Park-Pleasant Hill. Kelley Crawford, Aiden Waters and Davis Minton combined to throw a five-hitter for Serra, which will host No. 7 seed Los Gatos, a 9-8 winner at Franklin-Elk Grove. Brayden Smith drove in three runs with a double and Rowen Smith added a two-run double for Los Gatos (25-5). … In Division 2, sixth-seeded Acalanes-Lafayette (18-10-1) continued its late-season surge with a 9-3 win over No. 3 Chico (28-2) as Ando Butner had a two-run homer and Drew Asadorian and Cominic Patiucci each drove in two. … Nick Chow threw a four-hitter and Henry Dommer added a homer and double, lifting St. Francis (21-10) to a 5-0 win over Central Catholic. … In Division 4, pitchers Jackson Flanagan and Reid Plamondon made a two-run first-inning double from Zach Roeder stand up for No. 5 seed Menlo School-Atherton in a 2-0 win at Las Lomas-Walnut Creek. … A Zach Gallegos RBI single capped Santa Clara's 10-9 comeback win over Oakland Tech, which led 7-2 in the third inning. John Depner, Drew Diffenderfer and Jaxton Chao all drove in two runs for the Bruins (28-3). … In Division 5, Nicholas Chiu hit a two-run homer and Jerry Hou and Everett Carvalho each drove in three runs leading sixth-seed Lincoln to a 16-4 win at No. 3 Vacaville Christian. The Mustangs (17-15), who got three hits and three runs by Aidan Castaneda, travel to No. 2 Stevenson-Pebble Beach, a 5-2 winner over Torres. State golf: Led by a 4-under round of 67 by Josh Kim and a 71 from Noah Eisen on Tuesday, De La Salle tied for second in the CIF State Golf Championships at Poppy Hills Country Club. The Spartans and Santa Margarita-Rancho Santa Margarita (Orange County) finished at 362, nine strokes back of champion and host Stevenson (353), which had three players finish under par, led by Luke Brandler (67). The individual champion was St. Francis-La Canada (Los Angeles County) freshman Jaden Soong, who shot a bogey-free round of 62 with seven birdies and an eagle to finish two strokes better than Evan Liu (64), of Torrey Pines (San Diego County). Palo Alto, led Brendan O'Keefe's 70 and Joshua Wang's 71, finished fifth out of six teams at 367.
Boston Globe
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Dylan Lawrence, North Andover baseball plant the seed with a statement win in Division 1
'The 20-seed honestly might've helped us a little bit,' Lawrence said. 'Give us that little edge, prove people wrong. That was a statement game — we're here to make a run.' The Scarlet Knights (17-6) will face No. 4 King Philip (18-4) Wednesday afternoon in the second round. Advertisement Lawrence, bound for Bentley in the fall, struck out 10, walked two, and though he ran into some trouble with the bases-loaded in the seventh, he got two quick outs to secure the shutout. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'There's no way he'd ever let me take him out,' North Andover coach Todd Dulin said. 'He's been nasty for us since about halfway through last year. His spin rates, from what I hear from the spin rate machines, are off the charts.' The Scarlet Knights jumped on the Lancers (14-7) early – back-to-back singles from Zach Faro (3 hits, 2 RBI, 2 runs) and Jake Jackson (3 hits, 3 runs), set the plate for Lawrence to smack a double that one-hopped the right field wall. But the second inning featured a much more impressive rally. After two quick outs, nine-hitter Ben Iglesias knocked a single that started a rally of five straight two-out hits, with Lawrence providing the final one with his second double. An error and a balk followed to allow the Scarlet Knights to plate five. Advertisement After losing to the Lancers twice in the regular season, that gave the experienced Scarlet Knights' dugout plenty of confidence to see it out. 'Ben got that two-out single, that just gives us energy and kept the momentum in our dugout,' Lawrence said. 'That would've been a 1-2-3 inning for them, we could've given it to them. But we stayed down with our foot on the pedal and just kept going.' Division 1 State BC High 9, Waltham 3 — Jack Darcy belted a two-run homer in the third inning, staking the 15th-seeded Eagles (12-9) to a 5-2 lead en route to the first-round win No. 18 Waltham (14-7). Wyatt Miller and Tommy O'Donnell each recorded RBI singles and a run apiece, and Darcy manufactured an RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth. Braintree 4, Springfield Central 3 — Connor Grieve blasted a one-out, walk-off run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth, scoring Owen Donnelly, to lift the No. 8 Wamps (13-8) to the first round win over No. 25 Springfield Central (14-7). Sophomore Luke Joyce tossed all eight innings with six strikeouts and cracked a two-run homer in the fourth. Chelmsford 1, Shrewsbury 0 — Matt Stuart pitched seven scoreless innings on 69 pitches and Ryan Hart scored the winner on a wild pitch in the seventh to lift the No. 14 Lions (15-8) past the No. 19 Colonials (15-6) in the first round. Advertisement Natick 4, Pope Francis 0 — Thurston Kiefer tossed a three-hit shutout and Jack Weierman tallied three hits for the No. 17 Redhawks (13-8) as they took down the No. 16 Cardinals (15-6) in the first round. St. John's (Shrewsbury) 2, Lincoln-Sudbury 1 — Brayden Mercier, who tossed the first six innings, striking out 12, scored on a wild pitch in the dirt in the bottom of the eighth innings to spur the second-seeded Pioneers (16-5) to the first-round win over No. 31 L-S (14-10). Mercier allowed three hits and one earned run. Weston 3, Tantasqua 2 — Aidan Murphy fired eight two-hit innings, fanning eight, and scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth to lift the No. 8 Wildcats (16-5) past the No. 25 Warriors (14-8) in the first-round victory. Winchester 6, Taunton 4 — First baseman Brett Daniels had a terrific day at the plate, recording three hits, including a triple, in four at-bats with two RBIs and two runs scored, propelling the No. 32 Red & Black (14-8) over top-seeded Taunton (16-7) in the first round. Xaverian 4, Catholic Memorial 3 — Paul McCarthy surrendered just one earned run over six innings and Brady Hargraves and Jake Lonardo each tallied two hits for the No. 5 Hawks (16-5) in the first-round win over the No. 28 Knights (9-12) Division 2 State Melrose 3, Milton 1 — In 6 ⅓ innings, junior righthander Brian Capodilupo struck out five and only allowed a run, two walks and four hits for the No. 22 Red Raiders (13-8) in the first-round victory against No. 11 Milton (10-11). Michael Thomas and Brendan Doyle each had two hits. Advertisement North Attleborough 7, Masconomet 3 — Nick Torres drove in a pair and Dillon Waterhouse tossed 3 ⅓ scoreless innings of relief for the No. 3 Red Rocketeers (14-7) in the first round win over the No. 35 Chieftains (10-10). Plymouth North 11, Bay Path 3 — Junior Danny Kenney fanned seven over 6 ⅔ innings, and was 2 for 3 with two RBIs, for the No. 1 Eagles (17-4) in their first-round victory over No. 32 Bay Path (17-5). Will Novak (4 for 5, RBI) and Conor McLeish (3 for 4, 3 RBIs) were impact bats. Reading 6, West Springfield 2 — Ethan LeBovidge earned the win with 3 ⅔ shutout innings of relief and Isaac Robinson went 3 for 3 to lead the No. 2 Rockets (18-3) past the No. 31 Terriers (12-10) in the first-round victory. Walpole 5, Minnechaug 1 — Senior Andrew Burke fired a two-hitter, striking out nine to pitch the No. 4 Timberwolves (11-9) past No. 29 Minnechaug (13-9). Quinn MacNeil tallied two hits in three at-bats and scored a run to lead the offense. Westwood 4, Plymouth South 2 — Junior righthander Luke Chandler tossed a complete game while surrendering just two earned runs to guide the No. 9 Wolverines (15-6) to the first-round win over No. 24 Plymouth South (10-11). Division 3 State Arlington Catholic 7, Medway 2 — Senior Matthew Toland (2 hits) homered, walked twice, and knocked in three runs for the No. 11 Cougars (13-6) in the first-round win over No. 22 Medway (12-9). Dighton-Rehoboth 8, Latin Academy 1 — Lucas LeTourneau tallied three hits and two RBIs, Cole Viveiros added three hits and Jordan Castro produced two hits and two RBIs as the No. 15 Falcons (15-6) advanced to the second round over No. 18 Latin Academy (17-7). Ben Miller hurled a complete-game two-hitter with five strikeouts. Advertisement Falmouth 2, Fairhaven 1 — Junior Josh Matta allowed no earned runs in seven innings, striking out seven with two walks, and Max Inman walked it off with an RBI single in the eighth to carry the No. 14 Clippers (13-6) to the first-round triumph against No. 19 Fairhaven (12-8) Hanover 10, Holliston 1 — Cole Hendrickson fired a complete game for the No. 12 Hawks (13-6), registering seven strikeouts and allowing one earned run on five hits in the first-round win against No. 21 Holliston (14-9). Sam Light laced four hits in four at-bats with three RBIs and three runs. Norwell 4, Oakmont 2 — Sophomore Cameron Hohmann fanned seven in 5 1/3 innings, surrendering three hits and one earned run, and senior Patrick Higgins went 2 for 3 with a double, a run and tossed the final 1 ⅔ innings to earn the save for the No. 2 Clippers (17-4) in their first-round defeat of No. 34 Oakmont (13-7), the two-time defending state champion. Shawsheen 5, Newburyport 1 — Starter Will Trach scattered five hits with seven strikeouts to steer the No. 4 Rams (21-0) to the first-round win over No. 36 Newburyport (14-8). Ryan Jamieson (2 hits, 1 run, 1 RBI), Will Holloway (2 hits, 2 RBI, 1 run) and Robbie Welch (2 hits, 1 run, 1 RBI) led the offense. Division 4 State Hamilton-Wenham 3, Blue Hills 0 — Senior Cormac Heney spun a gem, fanning 13 batters for the No. 3 Generals (18-3) in their shutout of No. 30 Blue Hills (11-8) in the first round. Advertisement Salem 11, Manchester Essex 1 — Jordan O'Malley surrendered one run in five innings and Jack Tsoutsouras drove in a pair for the No. 13 Witches (10-11) to topple the No. 20 Hornets (9-11). Correspondent Graham Dietz contributed . Mike Puzzanghera can be reached at
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Scott Community Schools receive $15K grant for manufacturing education
The North Scott Community School District is bolstering its commitment to manufacturing education. 'We feel like we are doing a wonderful job placing students into the building trade, the different skills trade, the manufacturing within the Quad Cities because there is a huge need, and a huge opportunity for students after they graduate here,' said David Linnenbrink, North Scott's industrial technology teacher. The school district received a $15,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation. 'We're just super excited for the opportunities that our students are going to have,' Linnenbrink said. The grant will be used for scholarships ranging between $500 and $2,500 for technology training and machining-based engineering programs. 'A lot of the baby boomers are retiring and getting older so we know we need to fill those occupations and build a pipeline to fill those machinist jobs,' Linnenbrink said. North Scott's machinist program is relatively new, with about 10 students, while the high school's welding program has about 80 students. 'I don't know if they are as educated about the opportunities in the machining area, or welding, or manufacturing engineering,' Linnenbrink said. 'We are really excited to continue to promote this program, and then recruit them into the program, and get them into those classes and obviously get them placed into businesses that support that pipeline in the Quad Cities. It's in dire need of machinists.' Over at Jewell Group, North Scott senior Aidan McLaughlin is working a machinist apprenticeship. He looks forward to the impact the grant has on North Scott. 'I feel like that will be very good for us, as a school, because that will bring in a lot more kids because they will have more machinery to actually get their hands on in the shop at the all about setting up current Lancers for future success,' McLaughlin said. '(The grant will) expand upon the opportunities our students have right now, and this is a good way to build and expand upon the machining program,' Linnenbrink said. The North Scott Community School District has two years to use the money. It still can apply for the grant every year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
There could be a shift in how girls' flag football is played
Makena Cook made a name for herself as Orange Lutheran High's deep-ball throwing quarterback. She led the Lancers to a Southern Section Division 1 flag football championship, clinching the title with a pass and ending the season with a 6,611 total passing yards. In the first two years of CIF-sanctioned girls' flag football, Orange Lutheran coach Kristen Sherman crafted a pass-heavy offensive scheme that has helped bring eyes to the sport in Southern California. Now, Sherman might have to refocus her playbook as the National Federation of State High School Associations builds its first standardized nationwide rulebook. Advertisement Brian Seymour, the CIF's associate executive director, confirmed to The Times that new rules, such as the defensive rush line moving from seven yards off the line of scrimmage to one yard as well as the introduction of special teams, will "potentially" be part of the new rulebook. An NFHS spokesperson declined to comment on specific rule changes for the forthcoming rulebook, which is scheduled for release in late May. "It's one of the fastest-growing sports now across the country, and when we get sports that are played by multiple states, it works out better if everybody's playing from the same set of rules,' Seymour said. Sherman believes the rule changes, which she says Southern California coaches have not had enough of a say in, will entirely change how teams play — pushing their style toward that of other states such as New York, which moved to a one-yard rush line last year. Sherman said the rule will probably force more short passes and run plays. 'Prior to the snap, a legal rusher may be lined up anywhere along the rush line that is set 7 yards from the LOS,' reads the CIF 2024 girls' flag football playbook. In 2023, girls' flag football played under a three-yard rush line. Narbonne's Faith Ugoje spins out of a tackle during a win over King/Drew in the City Section Division I title game last season. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times) 'You're gonna have to get rid of the ball extra fast if you have a girl one yard off,' Birmingham coach Jim Rose said. Advertisement The change of play in New York has created more defense-oriented games while forcing new offensive strategy. For example, as the Times Union in Albany reported, a game between Albany High and Burnt Hills-Ballston on April 3 ended with a 8-0 final score. A year ago, under the seven-yard rush rule, those same teams played to a 56-43 finish. 'It changes some of the excitement of the game and the ability to see what those girls can do with their arms and with a downfield passing attack,' Sherman said. 'From that standpoint, it's a little bit disappointing to not showcase these girls in the way that I think they should be showcased.' Added Sherman: 'I still believe we have one of the best quarterbacks in the country and she'll adapt to the rule changes, just like the rest of the team will. It takes away from some of the excitement of these girls that have been working hard to show the way that they can push the ball vertical, just like any boys' team could.' Seymour, who noted that every year the rulebook is discussed and adjusted by a committee, said the standardized rulebook could allow for interstate games — such as when Las Vegas Bishop Gorman plays against Mater Dei — on the girls' flag football level. Advertisement 'It begins to align states, and kind of gives every state a voice that offers flag football similar to all the other sports that are offered throughout the country,' said Seymour, adding that this is the first rulebook the NFHS has created since 1999, when cheer was implemented nationwide. Receiver Kaiya Cooke runs for a first down in Ventura's win over Agoura in a Southern Section Division 1 playoff game last season. (Steve Galluzzo / For The Times) Across the first two years of girls' flag football in California, special teams have been nonexistent. Teams start a possession at their 20-yard line — and when a team punts, there's no kicking. The officials place the ball back at the other 20-yard line. For extra points, instead of kicking, teams have the option of attempting to score from the five-yard line (one point) or the 10-yard line (two points). Advertisement "We're gonna have some punting, which is good because it's another element where a different skill set is required, which may open up another roster spot for someone that does that skill set fairly well,' Seymour said. Sherman, like Seymour, said she sees special teams as an opportunity to get more players on the field — adding that it creates game time for 'girls who can't find another spot on the field.' In the girls' flag football ranks in California, many of the athletes play two sports, one of which is soccer in the winter. Rose, who led Birmingham to a 13-1-1 record a year ago, isn't thrilled with the potential addition of special teams. He calls it 'a terrible idea.' 'Special teams in high school [boys'] football, half the time, aren't very good,' he said, adding that they'll have to dedicate further practice time to teach a new aspect of the game on top of the upcoming rule changes. 'So how are you going to want to incorporate special teams with the girls? I think that will also cause scoring to go down.' Advertisement Going forward, Sherman said she'd like to see better communication from state officials as well as the creation of a girls' flag football coaches association to help push through feedback at the national level. 'I think feeling like we have an ability to get a group together that has a voice in the room to be able to weigh in on these kind of things going forward,' Sherman said. 'It would make everybody feel a lot better about changes coming up." Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
