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Boston Globe
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Delaney Moquin went deep, then shut out Bedford to secure Silver Lake's first Division 2 softball title
Moquin took an aggressive approach on the first, and only pitch, she saw (she was intentionally walked in her two subsequent at bats). 'I play her in club [softball] — I know how good she is, I know how hard she spins it,' said Moquin of Rossi, the state's Gatorade Player of the Year who is headed to Boston College. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I just had to make sure if it was in my lane, I took it for a ride.' Advertisement In the circle, she was just as dialed in. With a mix of command and velocity, she kept hitters off balance by changing speeds and using every inch of the strike zone. 'When the lights are the brightest, that's when Delaney shines the most,' said Pina. 'She had an opportunity to make a statement in that game and Delaney never disappoints. When the team needs her the most, she's at her best.' In the sixth inning, Mady Bryan struck a ball to shortstop, plating Megan Arseneau and Anna Craft on an error for a 4-0 cushion.. Advertisement Rossi was exceptional for the Buccaneers (21-2), striking out 14. Moquin and Rossi were the 39th and 40th players to strike out more than 10 in a state final all time. 'To see them grow and evolve and culminate in something like this, if Lifetime is looking for a movie idea, tell them to give me a call,' said Pina of his 22-3 team. Tears streamed down the cheeks of the proud coach when his 7-year-old daughter Jaycee ran into his arms postgame, asking if the trophy was hers. 'Coaching requires a lot of time,' said Pina passionately. 'Time away from my family. For them to witness this and see why Daddy loves it and why Daddy puts so much time and effort into it, to have my daughter and wife witness this, is an additional reason why this is so special.' Silver Lake seniors Kenna Slyker (left) and Alanna Waters (center) sprinted across the Worcester State diamond with the Division 2 trophy. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Silver Lake pitcher Delaney Moquin sported an oversized hat in the dugout after shutting out Bedford. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Silver Lake players showed off their hardware, and banner, to their faithful on the sideline. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Cam Kerry can be reached at
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Addie Willett and Delaney Moquin send Silver Lake softball to Division 2 championship with clutch performances
Delaney Moquin was her usual self in the circle, working a shutout with 15 strikeouts. Even in an atypical first-inning jam, with two on and nobody out, the Fairfield commit responded with three strikeouts. Advertisement 'It hasn't set in yet, but it's definitely going to be hard to go to bed tonight,' Moquin said. 'We're ready for it. I work better under pressure, so when there's a little bit of pressure on me I use that to my advantage.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up It will be a pitching matchup for the ages in the D2 championship game, as Moquin and the Lakers take on Gatorade Player of the Year Alyx Rossi and third-seeded Bedford (21-3). Division 1 state Wachusett 5, Lincoln-Sudbury 1 — Does momentum exist? Sure felt like it. With two on, one out and trailing by a run in the sixth inning, Lincoln-Sudbury had a prime opportunity to push at least a run across. Kelsey Blanchette flared a line drive back up the middle. Wachusett senior shortstop Ella Snyder's instincts kicked in, darting to snag the ball and tag second base, ending the inning in a flash. Advertisement In the bottom of the sixth, Wachusett plated three runs, cutting off the Warriors' hopes of a comeback. Thanks to a game-changing sixth inning, No. 2 Wachusett bested No. 6 Lincoln-Sudbury (18-6) in the semifinals at Worcester State. The Mountaineers (22-2) will play in their first title game since 2021 against four-time defending champion, top-ranked Taunton (24-0) Saturday at Worcester State at a time to be announced. Lincoln Sudbury's Eliana Krasnow (2) was doubled up at second by Wachusett shortstop Ella Snyder during a key play in the sixth inning. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo 'Everyone's on their toes for anything,' said Snyder, who is committed to Worcester State. 'The bat hits the ball and you're jumping.' Senior pitcher Shayna Bakun, who will play at Westfield State, was in control the entire way. She allowed six hits and a walk with five strikeouts. 'We really focused on the outside, hitting the corners, and giving them something that they could put the bat on but not really be successful with — and it worked,' said Bakun. Wachusett first baseman Isobel Connor and shortstop Ella Snyder embrace earning a spot in the Division 1 championship game. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo The Mountaineers scored two in the first, with sophomore Cassie Wilkins and senior Tiegan Walsh crossing home on a fielder's choice and an ensuing error. McKenzie Caron, a Stonehill-bound senior, started off the sixth with a double. Caron and Bakun scored via an error before Snyder plated Giana Johanson, a Salem State commit, with a single to right field. 'I knew it was a matter of time,' said first-year Wachusett coach Kathryn Putnam. 'We were making contact with the ball, one through nine in the lineup. We just had to put the pieces together. They seriously feed off of each other with momentum. They fight and they fight and they fight. No one does it better than them.' Advertisement Blanchette, headed to UMass Amherst, blasted a solo home run in the top of the second for the Warriors' lone run. She allowed four hits and a walk, striking out three in the loss. Division 3 state Dighton-Rehoboth 4, Nipmuc 0 — It wasn't easy, but the repeat bid is still alive for Dighton-Rehoboth. The top-seeded Falcons battled to a 4-0 victory over fifth-seeded Nipmuc in the Division 3 semifinals behind a stellar outing from sophomore ace Edy Latour, who tossed an eight-strikeout shutout at UMass Dartmouth. 'This group knew what it would take to get [back],' said D-R coach Katie Holmes. 'Had to rebuild a little bit, but they came out, and I'm just so proud of them for getting there.' After striking out four of the first five Nipmuc batters, Latour drove in game's first run with a second-inning single. Isabella Moss's RBI double added some insurance in the fifth, and the Falcons (23-2) held it down on defense, not committing an error against Nipmuc (21-3). 'I definitely get nervous a bit, but I'm a little more used to it after last year,' Latour said. 'I felt way more confident coming into this game. I feel like I still do what I do, it's the same thing, but just my confidence [has improved].' The reigning champs have one last hurdle to cap off a dream season: 10th-seededSouth Coast rival Greater New Bedford (18-8) in the state championship. The Falcons won both regular-season matchups, 4-0 on April 28 and 15-1 on May 10. Division 4 state Joseph Case 13, Hampshire Regional 0 — Lila Alvarez led off the game with a single. Two batters later, Bre Fontes brought her home with a single up the middle. Advertisement That's all the run support that Alvarez needed. But the Cardinals sophomore received plenty more to aid her dominance. Alvarez hurled a one-hitter, striking out 10 and walking two as fourth-seeded Joseph Case knocked out top-seeded Hampshire (22-2) for the third-straight year, this time a 13-0 drubbing in the Division 4 semifinals at Worcester State. Coach Shannon Silva and the Cardinals had plenty to celebrate as they took care of business against Hampshire. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo The Cardinals (18-6) will face No. 6 Tyngsborough (20-4) in a rematch of last year's title game on Saturday at a time and venue to be announced. Alvarez carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, spinning her screwball and curveball all across the plate. 'She's nasty,' said Fontes, a senior catcher. 'She's a great pitcher and I have the absolute pleasure of being behind the plate for her. It's amazing. I've never seen somebody do it like her.' Joseph Case coach Shannon Silva described her pitcher as 'phenomenal.' 'She's just a gamer,' said Silva. 'When she's on the big stage, she does rise up.' 'Those games give me the highest adrenaline and I like to compete,' echoed Alvarez. Hampshire first baseman Teagan Charles felt the emotion of her season coming to a close. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo In four consecutive frames, the Cardinals scored at least one run with two outs. Alvarez reached base five times, scoring thrice. Fontes tallied four RBIs on three singles. Senior captain Skye Dupre and sophomore Olivia Williams each supplied three runs and an RBI. Fellow senior captain Ella Preston recorded two RBIs and two runs. The Cardinals only struck out once. Division 5 State Greenfield 7, Hopedale 0 — MacKenzie Paulin finished with 18 strikeouts to send the second-seeded Green Wave (18-6) to the state title game where they'll face the defending champion and top-seeded Turners Falls (20-4), a rematch of the 2023 final that saw Greenfield raise the banner. Greenfield scored five runs in the first inning at Westfield State to stake Paulin to a comfortable lead. Advertisement Cam Kerry reported from Worcester and Ethan Kagno contributed. Joe Eachus can be reached at
Boston Globe
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Silver Lake softball senses the opportunity to take its dynasty to another level
A two-time Moquin routinely zips her fastball in the mid-to-high-60s, yet showcases a full arsenal. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'The confidence that she has in her pitches has increased over the four years and is really peaking right now,' said Silver Lake coach Tony Pina . 'She knows what she wants her pitches to do and how to use them against batters. There's a confidence in that and you can feel that. It's tangible now.' Related : Advertisement Her command of the circle helps her at the plate, where she cracked 11 homers and 40 RBIs last season, anchoring a dangerous Lakers lineup. Aware of each minute detail, she processes her pitching into how to attack offensively. 'It gives me an advantage because I'm able to know where the umpire's strike zone is,' said Moquin. 'I think I see it differently than other players.' Advertisement Moquin and Wheaton-bound senior first baseman Madyson Bryan strike fear into opposing pitchers, possessing effortless power from well-disciplined swings. Either could break the Silver Lake career home run record. Senior center fielder Alannah Waters can absolutely fly, providing a speedy threat atop the lineup and a vacuum in center field. Senior Addison Willett and sophomore Anna Craft are among the seven Patriot League All-Stars that return to a loaded squad. Senior first baseman Madyson Bryan and Silver Lake softball have their eye on the prize this season. Debee Tlumacki The past two seasons, the Lakers have succumbed in the Division 2 quarterfinals. With a mindful senior class and plenty of chemistry, the bar's been raised on what's possible this season. 'I think a successful senior season is winning the Patriot League again — that's something that we always strive for,' said Moquin. 'I think that we have a chance to make it farther than we have the last couple of years in the tournament. Definitely making at least a final four would be pretty successful for us.' Silver Lake is a softball school. In 20 years of Patriot League softball, the Lakers boast 18 championships. In 12 seasons under Pina's leadership, the Lakers have lost four league games. Dynastic doesn't begin to describe it. 'Patriot League softball runs through Silver Lake,' said Pina. 'That's something that we pride ourselves on.' Delaney Moquin struck out 265 batters in 138 innings last season. Debee Tlumacki Two games into the young campaign, the fifth-ranked Lakers (2-0) have outscored their opposition by a staggering 43-0 margin. Pina, an energetic and upbeat presence, fosters an atmosphere of communication and camaraderie, combining a group of players who went from playing against one another in town ball to rowing the same boat. Pina galvanizes the group, yet their friendship shines through, constantly talking in the dugout. Related : Advertisement 'I think it's good that we have a coach like that,' said Bryan. 'He's so passionate.' With nonleague games against La Salle (R.I.), Central Catholic, Lincoln-Sudbury, and Wachusett, the Lakers will be tested against some of New England's best. Moquin will get the ball — a challenge she relishes. 'I'm getting the sense that something special is near,' said Pina. 'The end of a hall of fame worthy career is on the home stretch.' Tony Pina has coached Silver Lake for a dozen years, losing just four Patriot League games in that stretch. Debee Tlumacki Extra bases ▪ Abington has started off undefeated (3-0) with just one run allowed. 'We have a new nucleus this year,' coach Jenna Olen said. 'I think we've been doing things the right way, but we play some really high-caliber teams [this season].' Setting the tone on and off the field are senior shortstop Brenna Howley and junior pitcher Elsie Testa , both four-year starters. Sophomore catcher Maddie MacDonald moved from second base this season, and has impressed. After Upcoming matchups against No. 20 Middleborough and No. 10 Bedford should serve as proper tests. Congrats to Greenwave pitcher Elsie Testa on throwing a perfect game. Testa was dominant striking out 14 of the 15 batters she faced in the 12-0 win against Carver. — Green Wave Girls Softball (@greenwave_ball) ▪ So far, so good for No. 15 Norton, which sits 4-0 and has allowed two runs. Junior captain Liana Danubio has been perfect, hurling consecutive shutouts, including one against 17th-ranked Attleboro. ▪ Bristol-Plymouth's offense has been staggering in the early going, averaging 24 runs per game and bringing 31 across against Nauset in a Friday afternoon slugfest. ▪ Needham alum and current Bentley catcher Maddie Baker was named Northeast-10 Rookie of the Week for the second time this season. The four-time Bay State MVP is batting .329 with 10 RBIs, and carries a .979 fielding percentage. Advertisement Games to watch Wednesday, No. 12 Bridgewater-Raynham at Greater New Bedford, 3:45 p.m. — After a close battle with No. 7 Joseph Case last week, GNB has the potential to make some noise against another highly regarded team. Wednesday, No. 3 Dighton-Rehoboth at No. 7 Joseph Case, 4 p.m. — Two Top 10-ranked South Coast programs will go head-to-head in a midweek battle, continuing a quality early schedule for both squads. Thursday, No. 18 Notre Dame (Hingham) at No. 16 Weymouth — The Cougars look to keep a hot start going, while the Wildcats need a response after a loss to Duxbury last week. Friday, No. 9 Walpole at No. 4 Lincoln-Sudbury, 4:30 p.m. — Walpole faces its first major test of the season: a road trip to a top-5 opponent. Correspondent Joe Eachus contributed to this story. Cam Kerry can be reached at
