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Boston Globe
a day ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Sisterly solution: Nicole and Ashleigh Lent power Lincoln-Sudbury softball to first Division 1 semifinals
It was an afternoon the Lent family will never forget. Thanks to their massive contributions, sixth-seeded Lincoln-Sudbury downed No. 3 King Philip, 4-1, in the Division 1 quarterfinals to clinch the program's first semifinal appearance. 'That sister connection is really something special, especially with those two,' said Lincoln-Sudbury coach Devan Morrison. 'They are each other's best friends and biggest fans.' Lincoln-Sudbury players celebrate with the program's first state semifinalist trophy. Barry Chin/Globe Staff In a softball-obsessed family where they live and breathe the game, dinner conversations revolve around happenings on the diamond after attending each other's hitting lessons. Advertisement 'There's always been this competitive fire,' said Nicole. 'We push each other to be the very best player that we can be. I am not the player that I am today without her.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up During the playoffs, each game could be their last together before Ashleigh leaves to play at Trinity College. They're are making the most of their opportunity. McCoy Walsh struck out 14 for King Philip, including the 600th whiff of her career. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Nicole reached base in all four appearances, walking twice. Ashleigh's double in the fifth inning plated senior Claire Gaeta for a much-needed insurance run, as junior McCoy Walsh (14 strikeouts) hummed in the circle for the Warriors (20-4). Walsh eclipsed 600 career strikeouts in the loss. Kelsey Blanchette, a senior committed to UMass, scattering five hits and a walk, fanning five. Her only blemish was a solo shot off the bat of Providence-bound Liv Petrillo. Advertisement 'She has worked so hard for so long — she's not willing to lose at this point,' said Ashleigh Lent. 'That drive is so hard to come by, and she has it. This team is nowhere near where we are without Kelsey in the circle.' Kelsey Blanchette was dominant for L-S, allowing just a solo home run while striking out five. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Morrison stood by home plate after the game, hands on her head in disbelief. The senior class stuck together, building up after missing the playoffs their freshman campaign. 'I could cry,' said Morrison. 'It's so surreal.' 'Just to have the grit and the heart of this senior class, top down, is the most surreal thing,' she continued. 'This is so cool. I can't put words to it.' L-S coach Devan Morrison congratulates her team, which is in the state semifinals just three years removed from missing the playoffs entirely. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Division 4 State Joseph Case 5, East Bridgewater 1 — A complete-game masterclass from Lila Alvarez (13 strikeouts, 5 hits, 1 run), as well as two hits and two runs scored by Madilyn Botelho, sent the No. 4 Cardinals (17-6) past No. 5 East Bridgewater (18-5) and back to the semifinals as their hunt for a three-peat rolls on. Cam Kerry can be reached at
Boston Globe
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Eastern Mass. softball: Globe Players of the Week for April 14-22
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Taryn Leonard , Whitman-Hanson — Raising her career homer total to 20, the senior clubbed a pair of long balls, knocking in six runs during an 18-5 Patriot League triumph over Hingham. Leonard kicked off her week with a home run and a double in a 7-6 league win against Pembroke. Advertisement Liv Petrillo , King Philip — The senior slugged six homers in three games, all wins. Petrillo mashed three two-run blasts in a 12-0 Hockomock win over Milford. She launched another two-run blast, finishing with three RBIs and two runs scored in a 12-0 league victory vs. Oliver Ames. In a top-10 matchup vs. Bishop Feehan, the Providence-bound Petrillo belted a grand slam in a 5-1 win. Related : Advertisement Alyx Rossi , Bedford –– The Boston College-bound southpaw struck out 16 in six innings Thursday, cracking a pair of home runs in an 18-1 nonleague victory against Natick. Her effort Tuesday at Abington was jaw-dropping, 26 strikeouts in a one-hit shutout during a 10-inning, 2-0 nonleague victory.
Boston Globe
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
As the Taunton softball dynasty rolls on, senior Cate Larson steps into starring roll
But Larson isn't just the next pitcher up. She's a budding ace herself. Already committed to Georgetown, the flamethrower was called up to varsity as an eighth-grader. She played behind to 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.' Advertisement 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. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up '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.' Related : 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. Advertisement 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.' Advertisement 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
