Baseball
Foxboro, 7 @ Canton, 5 – Final – Foxboro bounced back from a loss on Wednesday with a 7-5 verdict on the road at Canton on Thursday, pounding out 12 hits in the process. Sophomore Ryan O’Leary led the way offensive with three hits, driving in one run and scoring once while also pitching well in relief for the Warriors (2.2 IP, 1H, 1ER, 0BB, 2K). Sophomore Ben Angelini (two runs) and senior Mat Sullivan (two RBI) each had added two hits while Tyler Prescott, Ryan LeClair, Sean O’Leary (RBI), Louis Carangelo, and Mike Marcucella each chipped in with one hit. Sullivan earned the win on the mound, scattering four hits and two walks for four runs (two earned) allowed in 3.1 innings, striking out four. Sean O’Leary returned to the mound with a scoreless seventh inning, working around a leadoff walk to get the save. Matt Chafin had two hits, two RBI, and a run scored for the Bulldogs while Hayden Rose, Matt Hart, and Nick Gillis each added an RBI.
North Attleboro, 0 @ King Philip, 5 – Final – King Philip sophomore Nate Pennini had another stellar start on the mound, tossing a complete game shutout to lead the Warriors past visiting North Attleboro. Pennini surrendered just two hits — a leadoff single in the fourth and a one out single in the sixth — and one walk (one-out in the seventh) while striking out five in seven scoreless innings to get the win. KP scored three runs between the first two innings and added some key insurance with two more in the sixth inning. Pennini helped his own cause at the dish, driving in two runs including a squeeze bunt in the second and RBI single in the sixth. Rudy Gately went 2-for-2 with a walk and scored two runs, Brendan Sencaj had an RBI single to score Max Robison (RBI, run, walk), and Matt Kelley drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Jordan Paradis pitched well for North, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and five walks, recording three strikeouts in five innings, and also had one of North’s two hits.
Milford, 4 @ Mansfield, 18 – Final – Mansfield bounced back from a loss to KP from earlier in the week with a convincing win at home over Milford. Nico Smith didn’t lose a faceoff to set the tone for the Hornets and Drew Sacco, Cody Gordon, and Tommy Smith led the offensive attack. Ryan DeGirolamo and Dillon Butler split the win in the cage and the Hornets got strong defense from Liam Barry, Thomas Gormley, Nolan Bordieri, and James DeGirolamo.
North Attleboro, 11 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final – For Oliver Ames, Ben Reardon found the back of the net twice to reach 100 goals for his career while Shaun Teehan added two goals, and Ryan Jaco and Victor Romeiro each had one.
Sharon @ Taunton, 3:45
King Philip, 13 vs. Wakefield, 7 – Final
Foxboro, 13 @ Medway, 2 – Final – Foxboro closed out a very successful week with a dominating win on the road at Medway. Conor Noone spearheaded the attack with four goals and two assists and Jon Sacchetti also recorded six points with a hat trick and three helpers. Tony Sulham also had three goals and Ryan Cotter chipped in with two for the Warriors. Adam Addeche made seven saves in the win.
Girls Lacrosse
Canton, 16 @ Attleboro, 4 – Final – Seven different Bulldogs found the back of the net to secure a big win on the road at Attleboro. Ella Yeaton and Emily McCabe (six assists) both shined in the game, scoring five goals apiece to pace Canton’s offense. Ashley Balunas made seven saves in the cage to get the win.
Stoughton, 2 @ Foxboro, 18 – Final – Foxboro celebrated a pair of milestones in their first ever matchup with Stoughton, which was an 18-2 win. Mya Waryas had six points with three goals and three assists, scoring her 100th career goal in the process while Mary Collins had two assists, reaching the 100-point milestone in the process. Cate Noone (two assists) and Val Beigel (one assist) also had two goals for the Warriors, while Paige Curran (two goals, three assists) finished with five points. Grace Riley (three assists), Addie Riley, Jenny Gallagher, Hannah Higgins, Macy Quinn, and Kaelin Connors also scored for Foxboro.
Mansfield, 11 @ Milford, 12 – Final – After picking up its first ever win over North Attleboro last week, Milford pulled out its first ever win over Mansfield by holding off a late rally. After a back-and-forth first half, the Scarlet Hawks opened the second half on a 6-1 run to stake a 12-6 lead in the game. Mansfield rallied with five straight to cut the deficit down to one and had a free position chance late but Milford goalie Caitlyn Bangert (10 saves) made the stop and ran out the rest of the clock to secure the win. Emily Croteau led a balance offensive approach from the guests with three goals and three assists, Carly Haley, Jordan Douglas, and Yasmin Martinez each chipped in with two goals, Erin Michelson had one goal and two helpers, and TJ Downing and Alexa Landry each scored once. For the Hornets, Ava Adams and Ella Palanza each recorded hat tricks, while Brooke Butler and Lola Varricchione each scored twice. Maeve Anastasia had a goal and Carys Colby had an assist in the loss. Lana DiSangro made 10 saves for Mansfield.
Taunton, 5 @ Sharon, 9 – Final – Sharon broke into the win column on the season, taking down visiting Taunton with a 9-5 verdict. Anna Hertzel led the Eagles’ offense with a hat trick, Keira Lydeard and Bailey Garte each added a pair of goals, and Megan Porcaro and Audrey Widland each scored once. Cali Melo had a game-high four goals (and one assist) for the Tigers, who also got a goal from Caroline Vallarelli and assists from Raquel Azevedo and Maddi Szala. Charisma Bourque made 13 saves in net for the Tigers.
Boys Tennis
Canton @ Foxboro – Postponed to TBD.
King Philip, 2 @ North Attleboro, 3 – Final – Both of North Attleboro’s doubles team erased a one-set deficit to prevail in three sets and secure a 3-2 decision over visiting King Philip. Senior Brody Gaulin and junior Carson Dameron overcame a loss in the first set to lose just three games the rest of the way to get a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win at first doubles while juniors Arnav Raghuvanshi and Aaryan Anjna battled through a hard-fought match at second doubles for a 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 win. Senior Brody Carter had North’s lone win from singles play, taking a 6-2, 6-3 first singles victory. KP’s Luke Bailor grabbed a 6-3, 6-1 win at second singles and Arjun Kollu picked up a 6-1, 6-4 win at third singles for the Warriors.
Girls Tennis
Foxboro @ Canton – Postponed to TBD.
North Attleboro, 2 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – A sweep of both doubles matches and one win from singles helped King Philip hand North Attleboro its first loss of the season on Thursday. Shea Mellman came through clutch for the Warriors with a win at second singles. Mellman was tied 2-2 in the second set before taking the next four to secure a 6-2, 6-2 win for KP’s lone singles win. The team of Carlie Burns and Priya Riar continued to play well at the net and dropped just two games in a 6-2, 6-0 win at first doubles while Lauren Casper and Jaelyn Dang played consistent in a 6-2, 6-0 win at second doubles. North Attleboro’s Lauren Hunt only lost one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles and Grace Noreck rolled at third singles, 6-0, 6-0.
Baseball
Attleboro, 1 @ Taunton, 4 – Final – Shawn Cali had a strong performance on the mound and the Tigers used early offense to score a 4-1 win over a tough Attleboro squad. Cali only allowed one hit and one walk in six shutout innings, striking out four to earn the win. Taunton senior Dawson Bryce had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored, hitting an RBI double in both the first and third innings. Ryan MacDougall also had an RBI double in the third and AJ Lewis scored Jared Spencer with a single two at-bats later. Jonny Pagano pitched well for Attleboro, scattering eight hits and two walks, striking out two in five innings of work. Sean O’Hara tossed a scoreless inning of relief for the Bombardiers while Andrew Gorman had a seventh inning RBI single.
Canton, 2 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – OA scored twice in the third and once more in the fourth and was able to pull out its second league win of the season. Ryan Lemay (double) and Drew Hall each drove in runs for the Tigers, while Harrison Fitzpatrick, Jack Morley, and Matt Lawson (double) each provided hits. Andrew Zagami made the three runs stand up by holding the Bulldogs to just four hits and two runs in a complete game win. The Bulldogs scored once in the fifth and the seventh to get back within one. Brendan Clegg had a pair of hits and Andrew Gillis and Hayden Rose each drove in runs for Canton. Kyle Redquest had a strong start in defeat, allowing two earned runs over six innings.
Foxboro, 12 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final (5 Inn.) – Foxboro sophomore Tom Watts was solid on the mound and the Warriors’ offense exploded for 12 runs over a three-inning span in a win at Stoughton. Watts allowed one run on three hits and five walks, striking out a pair in four innings to get the win while Pradyu Gubbala threw a perfect inning in relief. Sophomore Ryan O’Leary had a huge day at the dish, going 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored. Sean O’Leary (RBI, three run), Louis Carangelo (two RBI, three runs), and Ben Angelini (RBI, two runs) each had two hits in the win.
Franklin @ North Attleboro – Postponed to Tuesday, 4/25 at 3:45.
King Philip, 3 @ Milford, 1 – Final – King Philip was held to just three hits but the Warriors rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh inning to stun Milford. KP was held to a single in the third and a single that was thrown out at second in the fifth, but its offense came through in the clutch. Freshman Johnny Prater drew a lead off walk and moved to second when Max Robison was hit by a pitch with one out. Matt Kelley delivered the big hit, roping a double to left to bring both runners home to put KP ahead for the first time. Kelley, who advanced to third on the throw, came home for the third run on a wild pitch. Milford took the lead in the bottom of the second as sophomore Joe Butler was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored when classmate Joey McGee reached on an error. Rudy Gately kept the Warriors in the game with a strong pitching performance, allowing just the one run on five hits and two walks, earning the win with six strikeouts in six innings. Sophomore Nate Pennini earned the save, working around a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh for a scoreless inning. Milford’s Evan Cornelius surrendered three runs on three hits and five walks, striking out an impressive 16 batters in a complete game effort.
Sharon, 4 @ Mansfield, 5 – Final – Mansfield’s late game heroics continued on Monday as the Hornets walked off with a win over an upset-minded Sharon squad. Junior Matt DeShiro had a one-out double to right and came around to score on the game-winning single from classmate Jake Maydak. Sharon jumped out to a three-run lead, pushing across a pair in the top of the first on an RBI single from Jake Loomis, who came around to score himself on an error. The Eagles tacked on another run in the third on an RBI double from Palash Raina. Mansfield rallied to tie it in the bottom half when Dylan Saraceno scored on a wild pitch, DeShiro brought in a run with an RBI ground out, and Maydak reached on an error to score Sam Martin. Mansfield took its first lead, 4-3, on a single from sophomore Luke Rogan. Sharon pulled level in the top of the sixth on another RBI double from Loomis to make it 4-4. Cole Arundale pitched well for the Eagles, allowing five runs (two earned) on nine htis and a walk, striking out three in 6.1 innings. DeShiro also earned the win on the mound, tossing a scoreless seventh inning in relief. Maydak had a strong start, allowing four runs (two earned) on hour hits and a walk, striking out eight.
Softball
Taunton, 9 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – Taunton sophomore Cate Larson dazzled in the circle in a dominant performance and the Tigers’ offense did almost all of its damage in a big fourth inning to secure a win on the road over Attleboro. Larson allowed just two hits and didn’t issue a walk, striking out an impressive 18 batters in a complete game. The Tigers plated eight runs in the fourth inning and the offense was highlighted by two hits apiece from Bella Bourque (two RBI, two runs), Hayley Krockta (two RBI, two runs), and Mia Fernandes (two RBI). Ava Venturelli also had a hit, a walk, an RBI and a run scored for Taunton. Lily Routhier and Rylie Camacho each had a hit for the Bombardiers.
Oliver Ames @ Canton – Postponed to Tuesday, 4/25 at 3:45.
North Attleboro, 4 @ Franklin, 1 – Final – Kelly Colleran matched her program record with 19 strikeouts in seven innings, facing two batters over the limit and allowing just one hit, to pick up a bounce-back win for the Rocketeers. She also hit a solo homer, scored two runs, and drew three walks. Maddie Bailey had a hit and scored a run, Molly Willey drove in a pair, and Julia Forman scored what turned out to be the game-winning run. Lucy Palmer and Arianna McDavitt each had hits for North.
Milford, 1 @ King Philip, 15 – Final (5 inn.) – King Philip caught fire in the second inning, highlighted by senior Sarah Cullen’s grand slam, and the Warriors landed a big win over visiting Milford. Cullen had a big day at the plate with a pair of hits and the big home run — both coming in KP’s 13-run second inning. Freshman Ali Gill (2-for-4, two RBI, two runs) also had a home run in the inning. Junior Ava Kelley was a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI and two runs while junior Jordan Bennett went 2-for-2 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored. Junior Sydney Burch and sophomore Liv Petrillo also had two RBI for KP. Freshman McCoy Walsh earned the win, allowing one run on two hits and four walks, striking out five in five innings. Junior Maeve Williams had an RBI single in the top of the fourth to score freshman Angelina Bonina.
Mansfield, 11 @ Sharon, 1 – Final – Mansfield plated five runs off four hits — all with two outs — in the first inning and never looked back in a win over Sharon. The Hornets ended with 12 hits, scoring once in each the second, fourth, and sixth before adding three insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Avery Lake and Jill Koppy paced the offense with three hits apiece while Dani Jameson and Reilly Slaney each had two hits, and Allie Koppy and Callie Lake each had one. Jameson earned the win for the Hornets, scattering six hits while striking out seven. Ally Foulsham struck out six in a complete game effort and had an RBI for the Eagles.
Boys Lacrosse
Canton, 20 @ Taunton, 4 – Final – For Taunton, Izzy Cru z had two goals and an assist to pace the offense while Oren Cullins played well in net, making 14 saves for the Tigers.
Foxboro, 10 @ Hopkinton, 5 – Final – A pair of goals late in the first half helped Foxboro grab some momentum and the Warriors carried it into the second, dominating after the break to score a 10-5 win. The Hillers held a 3-0 lead before the Warriors finally broke through late in the first, cutting the deficit to 3-2 at half. Foxboro went on to outscore the hosts 8-2 in the second half to run away with the win. Tony Sulham had a team-high three goals, Conor Noone added six points — two goals and four assists — and Jon Sacchetti chipped in with a pair of goals to pace the offense. Finn Stapleton, Aidan Waller, and Ryan Cotter each scored once while Adam Addeche made 12 saves in net in the win.
Franklin, 20 @ North Attleboro, 6 – Final – Franklin built a four-goal lead after the first, extended it to seven by halftime, and ran away with it for good in the second half on the road at North Attleboro. Jayden Consigli (one assist) had a team-high four goals while Luke Davis (three assists) and Tyler Sacchetti (one assist) each added three goals in the win. Eddie O’Brien (one assist) and Ryan Grasso chipped in with two goals apiece.
Mansfield, 4 @ King Philip, 9 – Final – King Philip’s James Boldy and Mansfield’s Ryan DeGirolamo both delivered in a battle of two of the top goalies in the league, but it wa the Warriors that outlasted the visiting Hornets. Boldy turned away 14 saves in the win while DeGirolamo had another stellar outing, making 23 saves. Noah Minkwitz netted four goals and had two assists to lead the offensive charge for KP. Donovan DeVellis added two goals, Hayden Schmitz (two assist), Cullen McCarthy, and Nick Longobardi each scored once, and Mason Thomas (two assists), Justin Kosh, and Tommy Kilroy each had an assist. Nico Smith (two goals, one assist) and Tommy Smith (one goal, two assists) each had three points for the Hornets while Drew Sacco scored once and had one helper.
Sharon, 13 @ Oliver Ames, 7 – Final – Sharon and Oliver Ames were locked in a tight game throughout the first half but the Eagles were able to pull away for the win on the road. For OA, Ben Reardon scored a hat trick and had one assist while Ryan Jaco and Shaun Teehan each scored twice and added an assist.
Girls Lacrosse
Taunton, 3 @ Canton, 16 – Final – The Bulldogs had eight different players find the back of the net in a big win at home against visiting Taunton. Ella Yeaton paced the balanced attack with four goals while Nora Giannacopoulos added three for the Bulldogs. Kayleigh Koen (two goals) and Lauren Shatkin (two goals) each scored their first varsity goal in the win while freshman Olivia McCabe made her debut in net, turning away six shots.
Foxboro, 15 vs. Hopkinton, 8 – Final – Foxboro got contributions from all over in a big win against Hopkinton. Mya Waryas recorded a team-high seven points, scoring twice and spreading the ball around for five assists. Paige Curran chipped in with four goals and two assists, Val Beigel found the back of the net four times, Mary Collins scored a hat trick, and both Addie Riley (one assist) and Cate Noone (two assists) scored once. Sofia Lucente earned the win in the cage, making a pair of saves.
Franklin, 6 vs. Lincoln-Sudbury, 9 – Final – The Panthers got off to a great start but Lincoln-Sudbury rallied to take the win. Franklin scored the first four goals of the game but the visiting Warriors scored four of the next five goals to cut the deficit to just one, 5-4, at halftime. Katie Peterson had two goals and eight draw controls, Jamie Tanner scored twice with two helpers, and Kaitlyn Carney scored once with two assists.
Boys Tennis
Taunton, 1 @ Attleboro, 4 – Final – Taking a pair of wins from both singles and doubles action, Attleboro defended home court with a 4-1 decision over visiting Taunton. Kyle Neuendorf and Tyler Rocchio both battled to tough three-set victories with Neuendorf grabbing a 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 win at first singles and Rocchio prevailing 6-1, 2-6, 6-1 at second singles. The team of Luke Hinton and Brady Rosen earned a straight set 6-3, 6-3 first doubles win, and Attleboro’s second doubles team of Noem Cook and Clay Tyler only dropped two games in a 6-2, 6-0 win. Taunton’s Heitor Sens emerged from third singles with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-2 win.
Oliver Ames, 1 @ Canton, 4 – Final – Canton swept singles action and added one more win in doubles play to defend home court against Oliver Ames. Max Kupferman, Bharat Ramanathan, and Justin Ngan each won in singles action, and the team of seniors Davis Lamb and Jorge Nebril secured a 6-3, 6-1 verdict at first doubles. OA’s Nick Wagner and Brendan Teehan dropped just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win at second doubles.
Stoughton, 1 @ Foxboro, 4 – Final – All four of Foxboro’s wins came in straight sets, two from singles action and a sweep of the doubles matches, to beat Stoughton. Raj Jetty rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 win at second singles while Luca Meyer took home a 6-2, 6-2 decision at second singles for the Warriors. The team of Nathan Cote and Ryan Fossella won a tight battle at first doubles, 7-6 (4), 6-4, and the team of Greg Simone and Evan Paluzzi dropped just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win at second doubles.
North Attleboro, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin picked up three close wins to earn a tight win over visiting North Attleboro. All three of the Panthers’ wins involved a tiebreaker but were completed in straight sets. Ahan Shetty prevailed 6-4, 7-6 (3) at second singles and Andrew Amante added a 7-6 (2), 6-1 win at third singles for Franklin. The Panthers’ first doubles team of Eric Tomaino and Aaron Ramaswamy secured a 6-4, 7-6 (2) win at first doubles to help clinch the win. North Attleboro senior Brody Carter took a 6-4, 6-2 win at first singles while the junior pairing of Arnav Raghuvanshi and Aaryan Anjna landed a 6-3, 6-3 win at second doubles.
Milford, 2 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – King Philip’s second doubles team of Logan Riley and Ashrith Epuri rallied from a one-set deficit, earned a close win in the second set, and completed the comeback in the third set to get the win and clinch the match for the Warriors. Riley and Epuri won by the score of 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 while Luke Bailor earned a hard-fought 7-6, 6-3 win at first singles and Arjun Kollu secured a 7-6, 6-1 win at second singles. Milford’s Corey Rattray grabbed a 6-2, 7-6 win at third singles, and the team of Sean Preveligo and Todd Ostertag picked up a 6-4, 7-6 win at first doubles.
Mansfield, 1 @ Sharon, 4 – Final – Sharon swept both doubles matches and took two more victories from singles actions in a 4-1 win over visiting Mansfield. Jacob Slavsky took the win in a hard-fought first singles win (6-3, 6-4) while Matthew Lally did the same at second singles, emerging with a 6-4, 6-1 win. The team of senior Rithvik Neti and sophomore Sava Kassev earned a 6-4, 6-1 win at first doubles, and Sharon’s second doubles pairing of senior Mihir Basil and sophomore Joel Zwicker won 6-2, 6-4. Mansfield’s Iniyan Karruppusami prevailed in a three-set battle, taking a 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (4) win at third singles.
Girls Tennis
Attleboro, 3 @ Taunton, 2 – Final – A sweep of both doubles matches and a win at first singles helped Attleboro secure a key road win at Taunton. Maddie Fuscaldo took a 6-2, 6-1 win at first singles for the lone Attleboro win in single action. the Tram of Zoe Stanley and Kyra Johnson added a 6-1, 6-4 win at first doubles, and Julia Leonardo and Katie Lortos added a 6-1, 6-3 verdict at second doubles for the Bombardiers. Taunton’s Ava Alves didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 second singles win and Morgan Smith did the same for a victory at third singles for the Tigers.
Canton, 1 @ Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – Oliver Ames was victorious in a pair of tight doubles matches and the Tigers added two more wins in singles action to knock off Canton. The team of Ava Barth and Emily Beaulieu battled to a 6-4, 7-6 (5) win at first doubles for the Tigers, and OA’s second doubles pairing of Marina Mierzwinski and Ella Mierzwinski earned a 6-3, 7-5. Hannah Farber didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 first singles victory, while Olivia Querzoli earned a 6-1, 6-2 win at second singles. Canton’s Charlotte Powers took a hard-fought 6-4, 6-3 decision at third singles.
Foxboro, 3 @ Stoughton, 2 – Final – Foxboro’s second doubles team of Katelynn Dineen and Shannon McElhinney emerged victorious after a three-set battle to help the Warriors clinch the win over Stoughton. Dineen and McElhinney rallied from a one-set deficit to earn a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 win for the Warriors. Hailey Kornbluth added a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles and the team of Audrey Paolino and Analise Tia dropped three games in a 6-1, 6-2 first doubles win. Stoughton’s Nadia Prokopiuk battled to a 6-3, 6-3 second singles win while sophomore Dhruvi Patel won a marathon of a match, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) at third singles.
Franklin, 1 @ North Attleboro, 4 – Final – North Attleboro picked up one of its best wins of the season, taking down visiting Franklin 4-1 behind a singles sweep and one doubles win. Junior Lauren Hunt earned a 6-2, 6-1 win at first singles, sophomore Megan Atwood picked up a 6-2, 6-2 win at second singles, and senior Grace Noreck rolled to a 6-0, 6-2 verdict at third singles. North’s fourth win came from the sophomore pairing of Grace Manning and Jayla Stone, who took a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win at second doubles. Franklin’s Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen, both sophomores, grabbed a 6-0, 7-6 (4) win at first doubles.
King Philip, 5 @ Milford, 0 – Final – KP senior Ahunna James had a dominant showing, highlighting the Warriors’ clean sweep with all five matches won in straight sets. James didn’t drop a game in an impressive performance (6-0, 6-0) at first singles, Shea Mellman won by the same score at second singles, and Caroline Freese completed the singles sweep with a 6-3, 6-1 victory at third singles. The team of Caroline Burns and Priya Riar used a strong net game to secure a 6-1, 6-1 win at first doubles, and the team of Lauren Casper and Jaelyn Dang earned a 6-1, 6-3 win at second doubles for KP.
Sharon, 5 @ Mansfield, 0 – Final – Sharon showed no rust from 10 days off, sweeping the Hornets with all five matches being won in straight sets. Judy Song (6-1, 6-0), Navya Shukla (6-0, 6-0), and Ale Aguilar (6-1, 6-2) each won their singles matches. At doubles, the teams of Olivia Landstein and Sophia Oh (6-2, 6-0) and Alina Hou and Jada Villaroel (6-4, 6-4) earned wins for the Eagles.
Boys Volleyball
Milford, 3 @ Medfield, 0 – Final
Taunton @ Barnstable, 5:15
Baseball
Canton, 6 vs. St. Paul Diocesan, 21- Final (6 inn.)
Foxboro, 13 vs. Concord-Carlisle, 1 – Final (5 Inn.) – Foxboro snapped a two-game skid with a dominant win over Concord-Carlisle. After the teams traded runs in the second inning, Foxboro’s offense came to life with four runs in the third, five in the fourth, and three more in the fifth inning. Louis Carangelo had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, driving in a team-high four runs and scoring twice along with a pair of stolen bases. Sean O’Leary (two RBI, run) and Ryan O’Leary (two RBI, run) each added two hits for the Warriors, who totaled 13 hits on the day. Alex Stern and Ben Angelini each contributed with a pair of RBI. Mat Sullivan had a strong performance on the bump, allowing just one run on three hits and one walk in four innings. Ryan O’Leary tossed a scoreless inning in relief with two strikeouts.
Taunton, 11 vs. Durfee, 4 – Final – For the second game in a row, and fourth time in six games this season, Taunton’s offense scored double-digit runs, this time in a win over visiting Durfee. After the Hilltoppers took the lead in the top of the first, the Tigers plated two in the bottom half and never trailed again. Taunton had a six-run third inning and scored single runs in each of the three following innings. Braden Sullivan had a big day at the dish by going 3-for-3 with a double, three RBI, and two runs scored while Dwayne Burgo continued his strong stretch with three hits, two RBI, and two runs scored. Ryan MacDougall drove in two runs while Dawson Bryce, AJ Lewis (two hits), and Jesse Chaves each drove in a run. Sean Murphy earned the win, allowing a pair of runs on three hits and two walks, striking out three in 3.2 innings of work. Peter Moor allowed an unearned run on one hit and one walk in 1.1 innings of relief while Brady Boucher struck out two in a scoreless inning.
Softball
King Philip, 11 vs. Bridgewater-Raynham, 5 – Final – King Philip wasted little time erasing an early three-run deficit and its offense stayed hot in a win over Bridgewater-Raynham on Thursday afternoon at the PAL Athletic Complex. The visiting Trojans jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second but Liv Petrillo led off with a solo shot to left and Ava Kelley drilled a two-run homer to left in the bottom half to bring the Warriors level quickly. KP went on to score four more runs in the fourth, twice in the fifth, and twice more in the sixth on a two-run bomb from senior Libby Walsh. Kelley finished with two hits and three RBI, freshman Ali Gill dropped in a two-run double, and Ava Lanza and Sarah Cullen each had an RBI. Freshman McCoy Walsh earned the win in relief, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out eight in 5.1 innings of work.
Oliver Ames, 1 @ Walpole, 11 – Final (5 Inn.) – Oliver Ames took the lead in the top of the first inning but Walpole’s offense proved to be too much. Katie Melendy drove in Maddie Homer (two hits) in the first inning. Devon Morris also had a hit for OA.
Taunton, 11 vs. Newton North, 2 – Final – With two runs in the top of the fourth, visiting Newton North cut the deficit down to one run but Taunton responded with the unanswered runs over the next three innings to run away with a big win. Eighth grader Bella Bourque smashed her first career home run and RBIs from Kaysie DeMoura (triple) and Hayley Krockta (single) gave Taunton a 3-0 lead but Newton North used a walk and a hit by pitch to eventually push two runs across to get back in the game. A squeeze bunt from Kyleah Plumb scored Mia Torres, and Ava Venturelli launched a two-run homer to restore Taunton’s lead. Sam Lincoln earned the win, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and a walk, striking out 15 in a complete game performance.
Milford, 5 vs. Framingham, 6 – Final – Milford took a lead into the final inning but Framingham’s seventh inning rally stole a win against the Scarlet Hawks. Milford scored once in the first and second, and then doubled its advantage with two runs in the fifth. The Flyers cut into the lead with two runs in the sixth and took the lead for good with four runs in the seventh. Cae Pellegrini had a big day offensively for the Hawks, going 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Ava Baglione, Maeve Driscoll, and Jianna Fernandes each had an RBI in the win.
Boys Lacrosse
Canton, 12 @ Nipmuc, 11 – Final (OT) – Canton erased a four-goal deficit at halftime and freshman Oisin Brogan potted the game-winning goal in overtime to hand the Bulldogs an impressive in on the road. Nipmuc scored eight goals in the first half but Pat Drury’s epic performance in net (19 saves) helped Canton claw back into the game. Migs Thomas led the offense with four goals while Jeff Chaput scored three goals and added three assists in the win. Senior AJ Thomas cleared the ball himself and fed Brogan in the crease for the game-winner in overtime.
Mansfield, 10 vs. Scituate, 8 – Final – Mansfield senior Ryan DeGirolamo shined in net and the Hornets landed a key 10-8 win over Scituate. DeGirolamo recorded an impressive 22 saves to help the Hornets hold off the Sailors. Drew Sacco led the balanced offensive attack with three goals, Andrew Burnham (assist) and Tommy Vallett each scored scored a pair of goals, and Andrew DeGirolamo (assist), Cody Gordon (assist), and Tommy Smith each scored once.
Girls Lacrosse
Canton, 5 vs. Quincy, 6 – Final – Canton came up just short in a tight battle against visiting Quincy. Nora Giannacopoulos and Ella Yeaton each scored twice to lead the Bulldogs while Emily McCabe scored once. Ashley Balunas made nine saves to keep the Bulldogs in the game.
King Philip, 6 vs. Walpole, 14 – Final – King Philip trailed by just a goal at halftime but the visiting Timberwolves pulled away with a big second half to get the win. Nikki McDonald led the charge offensively with three goals, Sammy Cloutier added a pair of goals, and Makenzie McDevitt scored once for the Warriors. Kaitlyn Parish played well in net for KP, recording 10 saves.
Oliver Ames, 14 @ Nipmuc, 17 – Final
Milford, 11 @ North Attleboro, 8 – Final – In a rescheduled matchup, Milford returned home with a hard-fought win over North Attleboro. Milford senior Caitlyn Bangert had an outstanding game in net for the Scarlet Hawks as she turned away 15 shots to keep the visitors ahead. Seniors Emily Croteau (four goals, one assist) and Carly Haley (two goals, three assists) led the offensive charge with five points apiece while senior Jordan Douglas scored a hat trick in the win. Yasmine Martinez and Erin Michelson each had a goal and an assist, and Ava Lebel and Kaitlin Landry each recorded one helper. Molly Hartman, Dani Guzman, Haley Jansons, and Khatrina Leger all played well defensively in the win for Milford.
King Philip senior Brendan Sencaj is one of the best offensive players in the league this year. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
Coming off an appearance in the Division 1 state championship game, Franklin’s lineup is loaded with returning talent and ready to make another run at both another Kelley-Rex division title and the state title. You could pick a handful of different Panthers to make this list like Northeastern commits Ryan Gerety and Henry Digiorgio, or the big bat of Jase Lyons, but Chin — who is committed to play at Stonehill — is coming off a breakout year and gets the nod. A three-year starter for head coach Zach Brown, Chin hit 0.339 last year with 21 hits, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, and seven walks. His emergence at the dish really strengthened Franklin’s offense and the Panthers will rely on his power in the heart of the lineup this time as he has started the year batting third.
Canton has aspirations to contend for the Davenport division title this year along with other potential hopefuls Foxboro and Mansfield, and their lineup could be the reason they have a serious chance. Canton has put up double-digit runs in each of their first three games in wins over North, Sharon, and Norwell so the offense is certainly off to a good start. At the heart of that lineup is senior first baseman Jack Digirolamo, who is coming off a monster junior season in which he hit 0.446 with 29 hits and 14 RBI. There are other Bulldogs that could have made this list, like Brandies commit Matt Chafin who was on it last year, because of their success at the dish. Digirolamo and Chafin are joined by Hayden Rose, Matt Hart, and Nick Gillis are returners this season that hit over 0.300 last year. If Digirolamo can replicate his success from last year, expect Canton to be in the mix for the title.
After graduating a majority of their lineup, including some of its top producers at the plate and on the mound, there will be some new faces in the mix for Oliver Ames this year. But one veteran piece of the lineup that head coach Joe Abarr will be able to lean on is senior Patrick Finnerty. Committed to playing in the Northeast 10 Conference next year for Bentley, Finnerty is coming off a solid junior campaign in which he batted over .300 and had 10 runs scored and 12 RBI, helping the Tigers reach the postseason (and win a game). He will be back patrolling center field for the Tigers, dealing with the infamous tree in play at Frothingham Park. He will also get some innings on the mound as a reliable arm in relief.
King Philip is coming off a spot in the Div. 2 state title game and the Warriors have a strong squad to try and go a step further this spring. Gately will be crucial for KP after showing his ability to impact the game on the hill and at the plate. He was the staff’s ace last year, going 5-1 with a 2.73 ERA. He stuck out 50 batters in a team-high 56.1 innings. Offensively, the Bowdoin commit batted 0.329 with 25 hits and six doubles. He drew 12 walks, drove in 21, and scored 21 runs. Gately’s competitiveness on the mound gives the team energy and he was counted on to face some of the best teams in the state, including six games against teams that reached the Final Four. The Warriors want to compete with Taunton and Franklin in the league, as well as make another D2 title challenge, and Gately’s ability as a pitcher and batter will be crucial to that.
The defending Div. 1 state champs will be one of the favorites again this season and MacDougall’s return to the lineup will be a major reason why. The reigning league MVP and HockomockSports.com Player of the Year was a dominant presence at the plate last spring, batting 0.476 with a league-best 30 hits. He scored 17 runs, drew 11 walks, and knocked in 19 runs in the regular season. He also stepped up in the clutch, batting 0.600 in the playoffs and hit a game-winning solo homer in the sixth inning of the state championship game. The Dayton commit was also strong on the mound, tossing 36 innings and posting a 7-1 record with a 1.94 ERA. This year promises to be one of the most competitive seasons that we’ve seen in the Kelley-Rex division and MacDougall will give Taunton a foundation to try and build another state title-winning campaign.
The defending Davenport champs will be in the Kelley-Rex this season and a young roster is going to lean on its experienced leaders to carry it through what should be an ultra-competitive spring. Maceda has been vital to North’s success over the past two years and the senior outfielder has become one of the most consistent hitters in the league. Setting the table at the top of the order, Maceda batted 0.402 last year. He had 33 hits, including seven extra-base hits. Maceda had 12 RBI and scored a team-high 31 runs. A dynamic base runner, Maceda puts tons of pressure on the opposition and his aggressiveness helps manufacture runs. After getting to the Div. 2 Final Four in 2022, North will be counting on Maceda’s leadership to keep the Rocketeers in playoff contention again this year.
Franklin got to the state title game only to fall to rival Taunton. The Panthers will be seeking some revenge this season and will have a strong roster that can make another deep tournament run. Mucciarone will be the team’s ace this year. The UMass Lowell commit is in his third year on varsity and the righty has proven to be one of the league’s top starters. He went 6-1 with a 2.05 ERA, walking just six batters on the season and striking out 56 over 54.2 innings. An accurate thrower with explosive stuff, Mucciarone puts the pressure on opposition lineups and he showed composure in big games. A leader of the Franklin staff, Mucciarone will need to have his best stuff again this season, which promises to be as competitive as ever and with typically high expectations for the Panthers.
Foxboro surprised a lot of people by making a run to the Div. 3 Final Four and nearly pulling off the upset of top seed Austin Prep. O’Leary was a big component in one of the best seasons in program history. He was 6-2 on the mound, throwing 40.1 innings with a 2.25 ERA and holding opponents to a 0.208 batting average. O’Leary also had a pair of saves. One of the best hitters in the league, the UMass Lowell commit hit 0.443 with 31 hits, including 10 doubles. He drove in 25 runs and scored 13. Controlling games on the hill and punishing pitchers at the plate, O’Leary was one of the best two-way players in the Hock. Foxboro will be trying to build off the momentum of last spring and O’Leary will be a major factor for the Warriors with his ability to impact games in multiple ways.
King Philip has a good handful of bats back from last year’s squad that made a run to the Division 2 state championship before ultimately falling to a tough Milton squad. One of those bats is one of the best in the league is senior third baseman Brendan Sencaj. Last season, he was second on the team in average (0.390), runs (26), hits (30), and had a team-high in doubles (6) and RBI (25). He is among the most dangerous hitters in the league, having nine extra-base hits as a junior. He is also committed to play in the Northeast 10 Conference next year at Bentley University, joining OA’s Patrick Finnerty (above). The Warriors have aspirations to compete for the Kelley-Rex title and make another run in the D2 tournament, and having one of the best hitters in the league in Sencaj will give them a big boost.
Not every team has the luxury of bringing such a loaded lineup after winning a Division 1 state championship the year prior, but that’s the situation that Taunton finds itself entering this season. The Tigers have six of their eight starters from the championship game back in the mix, including reigning league MVP Ryan MacDougall (above) and star shortstop Dawson Bryce (Merrimack), and there are a number of players that could make the list but we’ve gone with UMass commit Braden Sullivan. Sullivan returns to third base to complete a very talented left side of the infield alongside Bryce. He led the Tigers in average last year at 0.482, was third on the team with 27 hits, and had a team-best 21 RBI during the regular season. There’s no doubt Taunton will be right back in the thick of the league title race, and the return of Sullivan will be a big reason why.
Baseball
Attleboro, 1 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – A run in the bottom of the fourth ended up as the difference as Mansfield edged visiting Attleboro in a tight battle. The teams traded runs in the second inning with the Bombardiers jumping ahead when Jacob Bettencourt reached on a dropped third strike, allowing Aidan Hochwarter (leadoff single) to scamper home. Brian Butler led off the bottom half with a single for the Hornets, stole second, and came home to score on an RBI double from Will Lund. The difference came in the bottom of the fourth and Butler was the catalyst again, starting things with a one-out single. Wyatt Bolduc drew a walk and Lund delivered another big hit, this time a single to right to bring Butler home for the winning run. Both pitchers on both teams played well with Connor Curtis earning the win, allowing one unearned run on two hits and two walks, striking out 11 in six innings of work while Butler got the save, striking out a pair with no hits or walks allowed in one inning. Attleboro junior Jonny Pagano allowed two runs on five hits and one walk, striking out five while Braxton Levin tossed a scoreless inning in relief.
North Attleboro, 5 @ Canton, 11 – Final – North Attleboro scored in three consecutive innings to cut Canton’s one six-run lead down to one but the Bulldogs responded with five unanswered runs to open the season with a win. Hayden Rose (three hits, two RBI), who had a strong performance on the mound, had a two-run double and Matt Hart and Matt Lesser each had an RBI in the first inning as Canton jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Jack Digirolamo (4four RBI) added a second-inning RBI and Lesser drew a bases-loaded walk to extend Canton’s lead to 6-0 after two innings. North rallied for a run in the third and one more in the fourth (Dillon Harding RBI single), before pushing across three runs in the top of the fifth. Canton’s patience at the plate paid off in the bottom half as walks to Kyle Redquest, Owen Lane (three runs), and Matt Chafin brought in a run, and Digirolamo added another run with a sac fly. A two-out single from Digirolamo in the bottom of the sixth added insurance for the Bulldogs. North Attleboro’s Nate Kelly went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, two walks, and a run scored.
Milford, 4 @ Foxboro, 5 – Final – After seeing its three-run lead disappear in the fifth inning, Foxboro rallied for two runs in the sixth to take a season-opening win over Milford. The Warriors took the lead originally by scoring single runs in each of the second (Mike Marcucella RBI double), the third (Ben Angelini RBI double), and the fourth (Angelini RBI single) innings. Milford rallied for four runs in the top of the fifth as freshman Ian Carter led off with a solo home run, Louis Consigli had a one-out RBI single, Keith Lee drove in a run with an infield hit, and Sean McGee scored on a single by Evan Cornelius. Senior Ryan LeClair started the rally for the hosts with a one-out double and advanced to third on a double from Sean O’Leary. Louis Carangelo bought LeClair home on an infield single and O’Leary eventually scored on a wild pitch. Alex Stern got the win in relief for Foxboro, tossing a shutout inning while LeClair closed the door for the save. Cornelius was strong on the mound for the Hawks, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, five walks, and six strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work.
Franklin, 11 @ Oliver Ames, 1 – Final (6 inn.) – Franklin senior Alfred Mucciarone dazzled on the mound on the road at Frothingham Park, leading the Panthers to a win over Oliver Ames. Mucciarone tossed five shutout innings, allowing just one run (unearned) on two hits, striking out 10 without issuing a walk. Offensively, Franklin wasted little time to get the bats going as they pushed across four runs in the first and scored in each of the next five innings. Jase Lyons (RBI, two runs) and Eisig Chin (RBI, two runs, two stolen bases) each had three hits to pace Franklin’s 16-hit performance. Henry Digiorgio and Tyler Bellan (two RBI) each had two hits while Ben Jarosz notched two RBI.
King Philip, 12 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final (5 inn.) – King Philip’s offense got off to a strong start with three runs in the top of the first inning and the Warriors put the game away with a seven-run fifth inning to open the season with a win over Stoughton. Brendan Sencaj picked up right where he left off from last season, going 3-for-3 with a single, a double, and a triple as well as two RBI and three runs scored. Matt Kelley (three runs, RBI) and Aiden Astorino (two RBI, run) both added two hits in the win. Nate Pennini had a terrific showing on the mound for the visitors, allowing just one hit and two walks in five shutout innings, striking out nine.
Sharon, 0 @ Taunton, 20 – Final (5 Inn.) – The defending Division 1 state champs got off to a hot start with a big win over Sharon. Shawn Cali (two RBI, two runs), AJ Lewis (two RBI, three runs), Sean Murphy (two RBI, one run), and Brady Boucher (two RBI, one run) each had a pair of hits for the Tigers. Shawn Cali earned the win, tossing four shutout innings with just one hit allowed, striking out five. Boucher tossed a scoreless inning in relief with one walk and three strikeouts.
Softball
Mansfield, 0 @ Attleboro, 14 – Final (5 Inn.) – Callie Lake, Julia Marnikovic, Molly Kucharski and Erin Radley each had a hit apiece for the Hornets.
Canton, 0 @ North Attleboro, 10 – Final – Kelly Colleran faced only one batter over the minimum to toss a season-opening shutout. She allowed one hit and struck out 16. Arianna McDavitt made a pair of great defensive plays at shortstop, including a diving grab, and catcher Maryellen Charette caught a runner trying to steal second. Colleran also led the North offense with four hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in two. Leadoff hitter Grace Simmons had a hit and scored three times. Lucy Palmer, Molly Willey, and Charette drove in two runs apiece. Emma Hanwell, Grace Forman, and Mary Rogers each had a hit for North.
Foxboro, 12 @ Milford, 6 – Final – Milford scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the deficit down to a single run but Foxboro erupted for five runs in the final frame and pulled away for the win. The Warriors took advantage of a couple of errors to build a 5-0 lead through the first three innings and then used a two-run home run from Natalia Leach in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 7-3. A two-run triple from Olivia Baglione and an RBI single from Maeve Driscoll helped bring the Scarlet Hawks within one, 7-6, going into the seventh. Leach added an RBI single, Meghan Kelley drew a walk with the bases loaded, and Jill Slattery added a two-out RBI single to push the lead to 12-6. Emma Callahan had three hits and three stolen bases for the Warriors while Vittoria Cuscia got the win in the circle, recording eight strikeouts.
Oliver Ames, 7 @ Franklin, 8 – Final – A back-and-forth battle ended with a walk-off single from Franklin’s Avery Chalk to hand the Panthers a thrilling season-opening win at home. The teams combined for 12 runs in the first three innings, trading the lead each inning before the Tigers plated two in the top of the fifth to make it all even again. Freshman Sophia Sacramone retired the Tigers in order in the top of the seventh, and in the bottom half, Dana Stott laced a one-out double into left field. An error advanced Stott to third, and a fielder’s choice loaded the bases. Chalk singled to left field to bring in the game-winning run. Chalk, Sarah Boozang (RBI, run), and Katy Liberman (two RBI, run) each had three hits as the Panthers totaled 18 as a team. Sacramone got the win in relief, allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts in four innings of work. OA’S Devon Morris (one RBI, two runs) and Katie Melendy (three RBI, run) each collected three hits while Katherine Farley (RBI) and Crystyliah Covel (two stolen bases) each had two hits. Maddie Homer had a strong defensive game for OA with six putouts and a double play.
Stoughton, 1 @ King Philip, 21 – Final (5 inn.) – King Philip scored in each inning on its way to a big win over Stoughton to start the season. The Warriors pushed across three runs in each of the first two innings, six more in the third, and put the game away with a big fourth inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Liv Petrillo (2-for-3, six RBI). Freshman Ali Gill hit a home run in her first career at-bat and scored three runs. Charlotte Raymond also had a home run while Petrillo had another home run — a two-run shot — earlier in the fourth inning. Jo Bennett earned the win, allowing one run (unearned) on one hit and one walk, striking out six in four innings of work.
Sharon, 1 @ Taunton, 34 – Final (5 Inn.) – Taunton senior Ava Venturelli went 4-for-5, including a home run and a triple, to lead the Tigers to a big win at home. Brooke Aldrich also had four hits and scored five runs, and Hayley Krockta and Cate Larson also hit a home run. Larson earned the win in the circle, allowing one run (unearned) on three walks, striking out 10 in five innings of work.
Boys Lacrosse
King Philip, 10 @ Sharon, 11 – Final (OT) – King Philip outscored the hosts 3-1 in the fourth quarter to force overtime but it was Sharon that found the game-winner in the extra period to open the season in thrilling fashion. Sam Rothbaum led the offensive charge with four goals while Jake Kaufman, Ryan Brown, and Jordan Weisman each had a pair, and Dylan Cummings scored one along with three assists.
Oliver Ames, 1 @ Mansfield, 10 – Final – Noah Isleib played well in net for the Tigers, recording 15 saves while Ben Reardon had the lone goal for OA.
Girls Lacrosse
Foxboro, 14 @ Braintree, 6 – Final – Foxboro’s Paige Curran picked up right where she left off, recording six points to lead the Warriors to a season-opening win on the road at Braintree. Curran had a team-high five goals along with one assist while Val Beigel added three goals and two helpers. Cate Noone (two assists) and Grace Riley each chipped in with a pair of goals while Mya Waryas (two assists) and Mary Collins (two assists) scored once. Audrey Campbell had a strong showing in the net with 11 saves.
Sharon, 1 @ King Philip, 15 – Final – King Philip raced out to a big lead by halftime and never looked back on its way to a dominating season-opening win. Makenzie McDevitt paced the offense with a team-high seven points, Nikki McDonald added three points, and both Sarah Brown and Kelly Holmes recorded three points in the win.
Boys Tennis
Mansfield, 3 @ Attleboro, 2 – Final – Mansfield earned a sweep in singles action to secure a 3-2 decision on the road over Attleboro. Sophomore Neema Khosravani battled through a tough first set before prevailing 6-4, 6-0, junior Iniyan Karruppusami added a 6-4, 6-2 win at second singles, and junior Nikhil Nain picked up a 6-1, 6-1 third singles victory. Attleboro’s first doubles team of Brady Rosen and Luke Hinton emerged from a well-played first doubles match with a 6-4, 7-5 victory, and the team of Clayton Tyler and Noem Cook earned a 6-1, 6-4 second doubles win.
Canton, 2 @ North Attleboro, 3 – Final – Behind a doubles sweep and one win from singles action, North Attleboro edged out visiting Canton to open the season with a win. Senior captain Brody Gaulin and junior Quinn DiFiore secured a 6-2, 6-1 decision at first singles, and the junior pairing of Arnav Raghuvanshi and Aaryan Anjna prevailed in a back-and-forth second doubles match with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 win. Junior Caleb Cheney won a tiebreaker in the second set to emerge with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6 (5) decision. Canton junior Max Kupferman earned a 6-1, 6-3 first singles win, and freshman Bharat Ramanathan took a 6-3, 6-4 win at second singles.
Foxboro, 5 @ Milford, 0 – Final – Three of the five matches had to be decided in a third set but in the end, Foxboro prevailed victorious in all of them for a 5-0 sweep over Milford. Raj Jetty rolled to a 6-4, 6-1 win at first singles, while the team of Vizruth Chavalam and Greg Simone earned a 6-2, 6-1 win at second doubles to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead. After dropping the first set, the team of Hajji Glover and Evan Paluzzi rallied to win two straight to take first doubles (5-7, 6-4, 6-3). Both Ryan Fosella and Luca Meyer won the first set but dropped the second. Fossella took care of the win at second singles with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 decision while Meyer battled his way to a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win.
Oliver Ames, 3 @ Franklin, 2 – Final – Oliver Ames won all three singles matches to return home from Franklin with a victory via a 3-2 decision. After splitting the first two sets, OA junior Nike Westerbeke prevailed in the third set to secure the match (6-2, 0-6, 6-3) at first singles. Sophomore Alex Efremidas took a tight second singles match in straight sets (6-4, 7-5), and sophomore Pat Dolan completed the singles sweep with a 6-3, 6-2 third singles win. In doubles action, Franklin junior Ahan Shetty and senior Eric Tomaino earned a 6-0, 6-4 first doubles victory while the team of junior Andrew Amante and sophomore Aaron Ramaswamy picked up a 6-3, 6-3 win at second doubles.
Stoughton, 2 @ King Philip, 3 – Final – King Philip’s first doubles team of Luke Bailor and Brent Schneider prevailed in a second set tiebreak to secure a win, and the match to give the Warriors a season-opening win against Stoughton. Bailor and Schneider rolled in the first set but needed to win a tiebreak in the second set to earn the 6-0, 7-6 (7-4) win. Noah Ihley had a strong start to the season with a 6-1, 6-2 win at second singles and Arjun Kollu also had an impressive showing in a 6-0, 6-1 win at third singles.
Sharon, 5 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – Sharon opened up the season with a clean sweep, winning all five matches in straight sets on the road at Taunton. Sophomore Jacob Slavsky secured a 6-1, 6-1 first at first singles, junior Matthew Lally earned a 6-2, 6-0 win at second singles, and sophomore Alex Budovalcev only dropped one game in a 6-1, 6-0 third singles victory. The team of sophomore Sava Kassev and senior Rithvik Neti battled hard to emerge in straight sets (6-0, 7-5) at first doubles while the pairing of senior Kevin Li and sophomore Savir Basil didn’t lose a game in a 6-0, 6-0 second doubles win.
Girls Tennis
Attleboro, 3 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – Bre Paulette pulled out a three-set win over Anushka Srivastava at third singles to earn the Bombardiers a win in the season opener. Paulette won the opening set 6-3 but Srivastava bounced back by winning the second 6-2. Paulette closed out the match with a 6-4 third set to get the clinching point. Maddie Fuscaldo also won at first singles (6-2, 6-2) for Attleboro and Julia Leonardo and Katie Lortos won 6-1, 6-2 at second doubles. For Mansfield, Claire Copp won in three sets at second singles, beating Presley Biller 6-0, 4-6, 6-4 and Jill Harvey and Savannah Corey won 6-4, 6-4 at first doubles.
North Attleboro, 5 @ Canton, 0 – Final – Both of North Attleboro’s double teams battled hard to earn three-set wins as the Rocketeers secured a 5-0 sweep on the road to start the season. The team of Audrey Norecki and Liz Silva fought their way to a third-set tiebreak win, taking a 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (3) win at first doubles while the pairing of Jayla Stone and Grace Manning battled to a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win at second doubles. Lauren Hunt had a strong first match of the season with a 6-1, 6-0 win at first singles, Megan Atwood earned a 6-2, 6-2 second singles victory, and Grace Noreck completed the singles sweep with a 6-1, 6-1 win at third singles.
Milford, 1 @ Foxboro, 4 – Final – Foxboro took two wins apiece from singles and doubles action to open league play with a win at home over Milford. Hailey Kornbluth didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 first singles win while Makayla Peck secured a 6-2, 6-0 win at second singles for the Warriors. The team of Analise Jia and Audrey Paolino earned a 6-1, 6-1 first doubles win while the pairing of Emily Stow and Katelynn Dineen rallied to prevail in a super tiebreak, 6-2, 3-6, 10-6. Milford sophomore Mallory Brickley secured a 6-2, 6-1 win at third singles.
Franklin, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 1 – Final – Franklin swept both doubles matches and took two more victories in singles action to open the season with a 4-1 win on the road over Oliver Ames. Franklin’s Brooke Taylor prevailed from a hard-fought first set to take a 7-5, 6-1 win at second singles while Chloe Essam dropped just one game in a 6-1, 6-0 third singles victory for the Panthers. The team of Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen grabbed a 6-3, 6-3 win at first doubles while Shriya Rajesh and Isabelle Simino picked up a 6-2, 6-3 win at second doubles. OA sophomore Hannah Farber opened her campaign in impressive fashion, taking a 6-2, 6-2 win at first singles.
King Philip, 5 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – After rolling in the first set, KP senior Ahunna James shook off a good challenge in the second set to earn the win and the Warriors won all five matches on the road in straight sets. James prevailed with a 6-0, 7-5 win, junior Shea Mellman added a 6-2, 6-3 second singles victory, and senior Caroline Freese dropped just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win at third singles. The team of Carlie Burns and Priya Riar rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 win at first doubles, and senior Lauren Casper and junior Ryann O’Sullivan picked up a win at second doubles (6-1, 6-2).
Taunton, 0 @ Sharon, 5 – Final – Using a senior/sophomore lineup, Sharon opened the season with a sweep at home over Taunton. Sophomore Judy Song took care of business at first singles with just one game lost, 6-0, 6-1, while senior Sophia Oh didn’t drop a game in a 6-0, 6-0 third singles win. Senior Abby Vilk dropped the first set but rallied to win two straight for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win at second singles. The team of sophomore Olivia Landstein and senior Elli Zhao battled to a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 win at first doubles while the pairing of senior Wenxin Wu and sophomore Jenny Sand secured a 6-0, 6-2 win at second doubles.
Boys Volleyball
King Philip, 3 @ Dighton-Rehoboth, 0 – Final
Taunton, 3 vs. Brockton, 0 – Final – Taunton opened the season with a sweep of the visiting Boxers, 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-17). Matt Freitas had a strong all-around game with eight kills, three blocks, and a pair of digs, Owen Kelley added seven kills and five digs, Josh Duncan chipped in with three kills, three blocks, and an ace, and Al Morisseau finished with a pair of kills, aces, blocks, and digs. Ty Ekstrom and Daniel Freitas shared setting duties and each dished out 12 assists while Bradley Hylander (five digs) had a strong game both defensively and on the serve receive.
Taunton players celebrate after beating Franklin to win the D1 state title. Both teams bring back strong teams and are contenders to win the state championship again this spring. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com) By HockomockSports.com Staff
2022 Record: 5-15 2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Steve Dunlea
Attleboro returns a strong core from last year and will be aiming to make some noise in one of the toughest divisions in the state. The Bombardiers had three one-run losses last year and two more in extra innings, and despite their record, just missed out on the state tournament. A big reason for that is the challenges they face throughout the season as the Kelley-Rex division last year featured both Division 1 state finalists (Franklin and Taunton), the Division 2 state finalist (KP), plus Mansfield, who reached the Division 2 final four.
The Bombardiers boast a lot of returning players up and down the lineup, and on the mound as well. Although it’s a young rotation, Attleboro has some talented arms that picked up some invaluable experience a year ago. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Tyler Dunlea (3-3, 2.74) will anchor the rotation a year removed from striking out 23 batters in 23 innings of work as a freshman. Junior Jonny Pagano is another righty that gained key experience last year and senior Sean O’Hara will be a veteran presence in the rotation. Senior Owen Lombardo, juniors Matt Harvie, Braxton Levin, Tyson Forte, and freshman Ryan Landry are all in the mix to get some innings in relief.
Offense will be an area that Attleboro will look to improve on as they go against some of the best pitchers in the area. Senior Danny Johnson is in his third year as a varsity starter and will lead a talented outfielder group that features Harvie and classmate Brody McKenna. Seniors Casey Victorio and Ran Martin, along with junior Jackson Huntington, will look to provide an offensive punch as well. Senior captains Peter Delpozzo and Cooper Johnson (0.364 average last year) are back in the fold and will lead by example both offensively and defensively for head coach Steve Dunlea. Pagano, junior Andrew Gorman, and sophomore Jacob Bettencourt are all battling for time in the infield as well. Aiden Hochwarter resumes his role as the starting catcher for the Bombardiers.
2023 Hockomock League Baseball Preview
“I am very excited about this year’s team,” said Attleboro head coach Steve Dunlea. “We have excellent leadership in our three captains. Our pitching and defense will continue to be a strength for us. We also have a great mix of returning starters and new players on offense. These guys are well aware that we play in arguably the toughest division in Massachusetts and you have to be ready to compete every day.”
2022 Record: 9-12 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Round of 32 Coach: David Walsh
Canton has a new head coach in David Walsh but the goals remain the same as the Bulldogs will be aiming to return to the state tournament again this year. With a talented core back in the fold from last year’s team, not only will the Bulldogs be in the mix to make the playoffs, they could contend for the Davenport division title.
The lineup will feature a lot of familiar faces from last year that is anchored by a seasoned senior class. Shortstop Matt Chafin is among the best players in the league and is committed to play at the next level at Brandies. He will be joined in the lineup by Jack Digirolamo, one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. Digirolamo led the team in average last season with a 0.446 batting average (29 hits), which was good for fourth in the entire league while Chafin finished at 0.350 with 16 runs scored. Senior Hayden Rose (Framingham State) is another familiar name that will play a lot of innings for the Bulldogs, coming off a season in which he hit 0.328 with a team-high 17 RBI.
Rose will anchor a pitching staff that will need to fill some holes this year. Rose was among the league leaders in terms of innings pitched last year, coming in second in the regular season in the Hock with 43.2 innings of working. He posted a 4-4 record with a 2.89 ERA, striking out 28. Andrew Butler and Zach Peters combined for over 50 innings last year but with both players graduated, there will be an opportunity for new faces to step up for Walsh. While the Bulldogs get the rotation set, Walsh is preaching fundamentals and having the team pride themselves on good defense.
“This will be a fundamentally sound group who is gritty, tough, and are not afraid of the everyday grind,” Walsh said. “We will rely on our pitchers to throw strikes, defense to be routine, and situationally hit. If we are able to do all three in each game we will be very competitive.”
2022 Record: 16-8 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 3 Final Four Coach: Derek Suess
Foxboro was one of the feel-good stories last season as the Warriors made a dramatic tournament run to the state semifinals before falling to eventual state champ Austin Prep. While the Warriors are strictly focusing on the road ahead, last season set a new standard for Foxboro.
There is a lot of optimism that the Warriors can pick up where they left off because they have almost their entire roster back for 2023. Last year’s squad had a lot of young and inexperienced players that matured quickly throughout the year. Foxboro won’t be sneaking up on anyone this year as they start the season as a serious contender for the Davenport division title. On the mound, Foxboro has six players back that tossed varsity innings including their top three: senior Sean O’Leary (UMass Lowell), senior Mat Sullivan, and sophomore Nolan Gordon. Senior Alex Stern and sophomores Danny Jacobs and Tommy Watts are also back in the fold and the Warriors have added junior Pradyu Gubbala and sophomore Ryan O’Leary to the mix. Ryan LeClair, a veteran in the group, could also see time on the mound this year.
Sophomore Mike Marcucella returns behind the dish after earning the starting role as a freshman last year. LeClair (Stonehill) returns to shortstop and is one of the best defensive players in the region and he’s complemented by Sean O’Leary, who will play third when he isn’t pitching. On the right side, junior Tyler Prescott will man second base and he will also be counted upon to set the table for the offense out of the leadoff spot. Ryan O’Leary will take over at first base this season. Stern, Sullivan, and Watts will add infield depth when not on the mound.
The outfield will also have a lot of familiar faces with veteran Louis Carangelo back in left field after a breakout junior season. Carangelo was one of the most consistent offensive players in the Hock, hitting 0.333 with 16 RBI. Sophomore Ben Angelini has had a strong preseason so far and will patrol center for the Warriors while junior Shane Henri will be in right field. Senior Kenny Mello was a solid contributor for Foxboro last year but will miss the season with an injury. Freshman Aidan Stow and Gordon will provide outfield depth.
“Despite last season’s success, this season provides new opportunities and challenges for our ballclub,” said Foxboro head coach Derek Suess. “We will be battle-tested, with an always difficult Hockomock League schedule, and a strong non-league slate as well. We need to compete each day, at a championship-level standard, to give ourselves the best opportunity to reach the goals we have set for the season. Our leadership and culture have never been stronger.”
2022 Record: 23-4 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 Final (Kelley-Rex champion) Coach: Zach Brown
Although Franklin has won three straight Kelley-Rex division titles, there is still plenty of motivation for these Panthers.
The Panthers are coming off a tough one-run loss in the Division 1 state championship to rival Taunton, but with a strong core returning it looks like Franklin will once again be among the top powerhouses in the state this year. One obvious strength will be the offense with five players back in the lineup from last year’s squad. Not only is it an experienced group (multiple players entering their third year starting), but it’s an incredibly talented one that features senior Ryan Gerety (Northeastern), senior Jase Lyons, senior Eisig Chin (Stonehill), senior Ben Jarosz, and junior Henry Digiorgio (Northeastern). Gerety and Chin will return to their spots in the outfield while Lyons (1B), Jarosz (3B), and Digiorgio (SS) are all back in the infield. Seniors Tyler Bellan, Luke Sidwell, and Ethan DePaolo also provide some experienced depth and newcomers Rex Cinelli, Ryan Carlucci, and Koen Bonetti will all try to contribute for head coach Zach Brown.
Pitching will be another strength with senior righty Alfred Mucciarone (UMass Lowell) back after going 5-1 during the regular season last year, posting a 2.33 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 42 innings. His experience gives the Panthers an ace to rely on as they navigate a difficult schedule. Junior lefty Austin Campbell could be the next breakout star for Franklin after some impressive outings last year, and juniors Jake Shaughnessy (LHP) and Matt Miller (RHP) fill out a strong core of pitchers. Both Chin and Lyons will also be in the mix while senior newcomers Dillon Cashin and Zach Ramaswamy are prepared to come on in relief when needed.
“We are returning a strong senior class and veteran core,” Brown said. “We are excited about how hard this group has been preparing for the upcoming season. The seniors have provided great leadership during the preseason and scrimmages.”
2022 Record: 16-9 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final Coach: Jeff Plympton, Jr.
King Philip is another squad that is coming off a tremendous season (a trend among most Hock teams) as they reached the Division 2 state championship, falling to Milton. The Warriors are also following another trend in the league as they have the majority of their lineup back in the mix this season as they look to challenge for the Kelley-Rex division title in a loaded field.
The Warriors have a strong pitching staff in the league, highlighted by senior Rudy Gately. Gately has been KP’s ace for the past two seasons and will resume that role again this year. During the regular season, he tossed 39 innings and struck out 37, posting a 3.41 ERA. He will be joined by lefty Tommy Martorano, who missed virtually all of last year with an injury. Junior Tommy McLeish emerged as a reliable option in relief last year, striking out 22 batters in 20.2 innings and he should be in line for an expanded role this year.
Offensively the Warriors will have a big void with the graduation of Shawn Legere, one of the best hitters in the state. But head coach Jeff Plympton Jr. has plenty of options to work with, including senior Brendan Sencaj, who is coming off a terrific season in which he hit 0.371 with 15 RBI and 21 runs scored. Gately, a middle infielder, is a strong two-way player that hit 0.344 last year with 16 RBI and senior Matt Kelley is a great all-around player that will make the switch to center field this season, and another weapon in the lineup. Junior Max Robison is coming off a breakout campaign (0.359 average) and is one of the best defensive first basemen in the Hock.
“We are excited to be bringing back a great core of guys from our team last year,” Plympton Jr. said. “We’re hoping to build off of our success last season and continue to build a winning culture. We will have a lot of new arms in the rotation and a few very good returning arms from last year.”
2022 Record: 17-8 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final Four Coach: Chris Hall
Mansfield lost some key contributors from a sizable graduating senior class that led the Hornets to the Division 2 Final Four a year ago, but the cupboard is far from empty for head coach Chris Hall.
The most experience back on the team comes on the offensive end with some key bats back in the lineup. Senior captains Sam Martin and Conner Zukowski look to man the left side of the infield while returning starters Matt DeShiro and Jake Maydak — both juniors — will hold down the right side. Zukowski had a great season at the dish, hitting 0.344 during the regular season with 15 runs scored while DeShiro had a breakout sophomore campaign, leading the Hornets in batting average with a 0.373 average and a team-high 25 hits, driving in 13 runs as well. Defensive wiz and captain Aidan Jones returns as the starting catcher for the squad.
There is a lot of competition in the outfield right now including junior Brian Butler, another returner from last year. Seniors Kyle Marnikovic and Will Lund are also in the mix along with juniors Wyatt Bolduc, Connor Curtis, Drew Urban, Dylan Saraceno, Anthony Saraiva, and Joey MacIntyre. Juniors Matt Tryon and Derek McGrath are versatile pieces that will bring some power to the lineup.
Mansfield lost its top three starters from a year ago in Jimmy Gilleran, Aaron Blinn, and Anthony Sacchetti, who combined to pitch over 100 innings during the regular season. Hall will turn to junior Connor Curtis, who didn’t allow an earned run in 16 innings of work in the regular season last year, recording three saves with 19 strikeouts. Maydak is also in the mix for an expanded role on the staff along with juniors Yuv Sakhalkar and Ryan Jeans, and sophomore Luke Rogan. Senior Nate Thibault will chip in as a reliever.
“Most teams who play in the Hockomock League have a chance to make a run at a state championship due to the competition you face every single game in the regular season,” Hall said. “I believe the makeup of our roster puts us in that conversation this year. This year’s team is a tight-knit, cohesive group that battles with one another at practice. They thrive off competition and work together to do whatever they can to best benefit the program. We are excited for the season and look forward to the challenges presented to us.”
2022 Record: 7-13 2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Alex Dion
Similar to Attleboro, the Scarlet Hawks were a victim of playing in a division that had three teams reach a state championship game and another reach the final four. With another year of experience, Milford will look to challenge those top teams and make a push for the postseason.
The roster features a lot of familiar names that are either in their third or second year in the lineup and head coach Alex Dion is hoping that experience will lead to competing with some of the state’s best teams. The pitching staff starts with three-year starter and right-handed pitcher Evan Cornelius. A top two-way play and multi-sport athlete, Cornelius leads by example both on and off the field for the Scarlet Hawks. He went 4-2 last year with a 2.31 ERA, ranking among the league leader with 48 strikeouts in 30.1 innings of work. Junior righty Damien Carter is also in his third year while senior Tyler Caldon and junior Anthony LaPierre logged a lot of work on the mound a year ago and return as starters this year. Senior Mason Baldic and sophomore Ian Carter are both in the mix for innings this year as well.
While pitching looks to be a strength for Milford this year, the Hawks will rely on a lot of the same names to deliver offensively as well. Cornelius will man first base when he isn’t on the mound and is a reliable offensive option. Damien Carter, junior Sean McGee, and freshman Joey McGee are options in the infield alongside Cornelius while Ian Carter, Baldic, and sophomore Nick Koch are in line for opportunities in the outfield. Junior Keith Lee is back behind the dish as taking on that role a season ago and junior Nate Scudo can be effective in a variety of positions. Seniors Brady Butler, Tony Fontes, Jacob Gove, Guy Saintyl, and Cam DelPrete will provide key depth while junior Victor Martinez will look to provide some pop in the lineup.
“Looking forward to competing in this great league again this spring,” said Milford head coach Alex Dion. “We have a number of guys that have been together for three years now. I have seen strong leadership from veterans early on, a group of guys that are competitive on the mound, and some athletes that are eager to learn and compete at a high level.”
2022 Record: 18-6 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 2 Final Four (Davenport champion) Coach: Mike Hart
The Hockomock League had so much success during last season’s tournament that the Rocketeers’ accomplishments almost get lost in the shuffle. North Attleboro went 13-3 in league play last year and reached the D2 final four, picking up wins over D1 state finalists Franklin and D2 state finalists KP in the process. Now the Rocketeers join a loaded Kelley-Rex division along with those two squads, defending state champs Taunton, and two improved squads in Attleboro and Milford.
That means North Attleboro has its work cut out for them as they not only try to navigate a difficult schedule but has a lot of holes to fill in the lineup after graduating nearly a dozen seniors from last year’s 18-win squad. Head coach Mike Hart has done a terrific job since taking over the helm of the program and he will be leaning on the handful of returners he does have to lead the way this year. Hart has a dozen more seniors this year led by veterans Derek Maceda, Dillon Harding, and Jordan Paradis. Maceda will patrol center field, Harding is at shortstop, and Paradis is a seasoned pitcher that had 18 strikeouts in 17 innings of regular season work. Maceda will also get some innings on the mound along with classmates Ayden Delaney Peter Santoro, junior Parker Abrantes, and sophomore Gio Martello, and Harding will be a go-to option to close games out.
Martello was a late-season call up to the varsity squad and made an impression in his short stint with the squad. He will complete the middle of the infield at second base and will be a key piece in the lineup offensively. Seniors Jack Munley, Mark Vogel, Delaney, and sophomore Bryce Kiser are also in the mix for spots in the infield. Along with Maceda and Paradis, seniors Kyle Conroy and Reed Collins, along with junior Chris Hanewich, will cycle throughout the outfield. Junior Nate Kelly and senior Harrison Gagne are competing for time behind the dish. Hart expects the defense to be a strength of this year’s squad.
“We are looking forward to a season of growth,” Hart said. “We have many quality players new to varsity baseball who are looking to take the next step in their development and continue the success we have been privileged to have over the last few seasons. Derek Maceda, Dillon Harding, and Jordan Paradis are three capable and proven players in all three phases of the game. We will look to our pitching staff to lead us. Our team has committed to getting better each and every day. We are excited to get out and compete!”
2022 Record: 11-11 2022 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South First Round Coach: Joe Abarr
After graduating one of the largest senior classes in the league, there is plenty of opportunity to go around for Oliver Ames and head coach Joe Abarr this season. After an up-and-down year that included a playoff win, the Tigers will be looking to challenge the likes of Foxboro and Mansfield in the division title race.
With a lot of pieces departed from last year’s lineup, Abarr will start the season leaning heavily on the handful of returning pieces that played key roles last year. Senior captain Patrick Finnerty will be a major part of the defense and offense this year, as the Bentley University commit will patrol the center field and anchor the offense. On the mound, the Tigers will turn to senior captain Andrew Zagami to lead a relatively young staff that will include juniors Ian Kelley and Lucas Riley, both returners from last year’s team.
Abarr noted that there is a lot of competition in the squad right now as they battle for spots in the lineup, and he’s hoping the first few weeks will allow for a consistent lineup to emerge. Senior Nathan Luke, another returner from last year’s roster, will play the corners in the outfield at Frothingham Park this year.
“Many players have been stepping up in early practices and inter-squads and will be counted on early in the season,” Abarr said. “If we consistently stay after hitters and throw strikes we will be a competitive club. We have the potential to hit well, but the Hock’s pitching will be top-notch again based on some of the stellar returners around the league.”
2022 Record: 3-17 2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Andrew Poliferno
The Eagles will have to replace some of the production lost from the 10 seniors that graduated from last year’s squad, but Sharon has some key pieces in key spots and will look to continue to improve.
One strength the Eagles will have early on is the return of almost all of its pitching staff back from last year, plus the addition of some more talented arms to create some strong depth at the position. Junior captain Luke Meixel was among the league leaders in innings pitched last season and will anchor this year’s staff. He had 33 strikeouts in 38 innings of work as a sophomore year and the Eagles are looking for him to take a big step this year. Senior Alex Coughlin will pair with Meixel to create a formidable 1-2 punch, and the Eagles will also get pitching contributions from Cole Arundale and Zach Loomis.
Senior Palash Raina is a captain alongside Meixel and Coughlin, and he will be a staple in Sharon’s lineup this season. He battled through an injury almost all of last season but is ready for a breakout final year on the diamond as he patrols center field. Head coach Andrew Poliferno believes there is a lot of depth — and internal competition — in the lineup, and that should improve production at the plate. Sophomore Drew Yaffe got his feet wet at the varsity level last season and will be looking to turn that experience into more production this year. Junior Liam Conway is back behind the dish after a strong defensive year in 2022.
“I’m really excited to see what this group of players accomplishes this season,” Poliferno said. “We have a large group of players on varsity and in the greater SHS baseball program who are hungry to compete and win games. My expectations for this team are high and that is a direct reflection of the level of talent and work ethic our players have exhibited since day one.”
2022 Record: 3-15 2022 Finish: Missed postseason Coach: Kevin Carty
Although the Black Knights lost a lot of production from its eight-member senior class that graduated last Spring, there is a lot of opportunity for new faces to work their way into the lineup for Stoughton head coach Kevin Carty.
There are some key pieces back in the mix this season after getting some valuable experience a year ago. Carty will lean on senior captains Sean Farley and Joe Rush to lead the way, with Farley both patrolling center field and pitching while Rush will play first base when he isn’t on the mound, and potentially some time behind the dish at catcher. There is also a strong contingent of players looking to build off of last year, including seniors Jeriel Cuello, who will play in the infield, and outfielder/pitchers James McCarthy and Liam Dunn, and Andrew Beder, who can play both in the infield and outfield, as well as on the mound.
Juniors Hunter Malkin, Ryan Summers, and Dom Belle all factored into the lineup for the Black Knights a year ago as sophomores and are in line for bigger roles this year. Malkin will pitch and play at first, Belle can play at both corners of the infield, and Summers will see time behind the dish at catcher.
“So far I could not be more impressed with the hard work and attitude from all of our players in the program, especially the new players on the roster,” Carty said. “I am very excited to work with these guys on a daily basis and can’t wait to see them improve throughout the season.”
2022 Record: 22-3 2022 Finish: Won Div. 1 State Championship Coach: Blair Bourque
The defending Division 1 state champions enter this season with a massive target on their back, but Taunton has the majority of its talented lineup back in the mix and is ready to take on all challengers, including a very competitive and skilled Hockomock League.
Athleticism, competitiveness, and experience will all be strengths for this year’s Taunton squad which has a lot of familiar faces in it including last year’s league MVP Ryan MacDougall, who had the game-winning home run in the state final against rival Franklin. The left side of the infield might possess the best duo in the state in seniors Braden Sullivan, a UMass commit with a strong bat that plays third base, and Dawson Bryce, a slick-fielding shortstop with consistent offensive production that is also going to play at the D1 level at Merrimack. That trio makes up the heart of the lineup for the Tigers and will make life difficult for opposing pitchers. Junior Brayden Cali, who started at second in the championship game, will be another key piece offensively for Taunton.
MacDougall also led the Tigers in innings pitched during the regular season, and classmate Shawn Cali was right there with him, posting a 4-2 record with a 1.60 ERA, striking out 27 in 35 innings of work. That gives Taunton a strong 1-2 punch in its rotation, but there’s also room for opportunity with the graduation of Evan Cali, who went 3-0 in the regular season and started the state championship game.
“The majority of our guys are multi-sport athletes who love to compete,” said Taunton head coach Blair Bourque. “And since many of our starters from last season are returning, they know the challenges of playing in arguably the most competitive league in the state as well as how to manage playing in the high-stress environment that is the post-season. Taunton has never been in a position with such high expectations so as a coach, I’m excited to see how my kids respond. This is a close-knit group and even with all the talent, they have great camaraderie.”
Franklin senior Justin Allen sinks one of his eight three-pointers on his way to a career-high 25 points in a win over Weymouth. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
FRANKLIN, Mass. — As Franklin prepared all week to go against Weymouth’s aggressive zone defense, the Panthers knew they’d have some looks from outside.
Senior Justin Allen certainly took advantage of that opportunity.
Allen was nearly flawless as poured in a career-high 25 points on 8-for-9 shooting from three-point land, leading the third-seeded Panthers to a hard-fought 61-49 win over #30 Weymouth in a Division 1 Round of 32 game.
“I just hit the open shots, my teammates found me and once I see a couple go in, that basket just gets bigger,” Allen said. “With them in a zone, it just opens things up for us and we have great creators like Ben Harvey and Bradley [Herndon], and everyone else too. They were finding me and I was just knocking down shots.
“We have a bunch of great shooters on this team and that helps me out because they can’t just focus on me. We’ve got guys like Geino [Scaringello], Andrew O’Neill, and Caden Sullivan who can really just knock down threes so you can’t focus on one guy, that’s what is so special about this team.”
Allen and the Panthers wasted little time finding the range against the Wildcats’ 1-3-1 zone. He sank a pair of threes in the opening eight minutes — the first bucket of the game off of a pass from O’Neill (eight points, seven rebounds, four assists) and another from the corner that gave the hosts their first double-digit advantage of the game.
Junior Sean O’Leary (20 points, six rebounds) also dropped in a pair of threes while O’Neill had another for a total of five in the first quarter to help Franklin set the tone, and take the lead (19-10).
Franklin went scoreless for nearly three minutes to start the second quarter but Allen ignited the offense when he hit a three with five minutes to go in the half. His second three of the quarter came just 30 seconds later after Ben Harvey (six points, three rebounds) sliced into the zone before kicking it back out. Allen assisted O’Leary the next trip and then O’Leary returned the favor one trip later, finding Allen open in the corner.
“We’ve really been clicking recently,” Allen said, “That Mansfield loss was a wake-up call for us. We’ve been going really hard in practice and guys know what time of year it is and nothing is guaranteed, no one is going to hand it to us. Weymouth is the 30-seed but that was a tough game, that was a full 32 minutes of competing.”
After hitting his first five threes, Allen went up for a heat check as he quickly launched a deep three off a pass from Harvey and it was pure to extend the lead to 33-21 with two minutes left in the first half. A putback from Harvey inside the final minute gave Franklin a 35-26 halftime lead.
“Three hard days of working against aggressive zone defense,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely on preparing for the game. “We spent so much time focusing on the 1-3-1 or diamond-and-one, whatever you want to call it. We thought we’d see a lot of zone and then we did a good job getting Justin a lot of good looks. Even other guys got really good looks but just didn’t hit like they usually do. That was a full team win because they gave an unbelievable effort in practice this week simulating their defense.”
The three-point barrage slowed some in the second half but the four triples that the Panthers did hit were timely. O’Neill opened the second half with one and the Panthers were able to attack the basket against Weymouth’s defense, which switched to man-to-man.
Harvey had four straight, including a traditional three-point play, and O’Leary cleaned up his own miss plus the foul. With success getting to the rim, Allen found himself open in the corner and his quick release hit nothing but net, his seventh straight make.
“When they got up on us, and they started denying Justin the ball, we have guys like Ben, O’Leary, and [Bradley] Herndon that can really get downhill and find themselves in the paint, and not only do they get in there, they are willing passers,” Neely said. “Even if you don’t score in there, the ability to get downhill and make the defense rotate. Credit to [Weymouth], they play really hard and made us battle the whole second half.”
Although Allen missed his next three on a heat check, the Panthers carried a 48-36 lead into the final quarter. Sophomore Caden Sullivan drained a three off a pass from Herndon (six rebounds, four assists) off of a set play and the Panthers had their biggest lead at 51-38. The Wildcats clawed back within eight twice but Allen’s eighth and final triple of the game midway through the fourth restored the double-digit advantage and Franklin stayed in front down the stretch.
While Allen was red-hot from three-point, the Panthers had some inconsistencies in the offense throughout the night. But old reliable — Franklin’s defense — stayed steady all night and held the Wildcats under 50 points.
“That’s the beauty of what we’ve done here for a while is the ability to get stops and weather those storms of poor shooting or lack of finishing, we can get through those when we have guys like Harvey playing defense on [Edric Louissaint] and O’Neill on [Gill] Dolan, who had 33 points in a game earlier this year. To be able to shut those primary options down and make other guys score, that’s a great job by those two and everyone else too.”
Franklin boys basketball (19-1) will host #14 Brockton, who took down Methuen, 66-49, in the Round of 16 on Tuesday at 6:00.
Franklin junior Sean O’Leary has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Feb. 12 through Feb. 18. O’Leary is the 21st player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2022-23 school year and ninth in the winter season.
O’Leary came through in the clutch in both games last week, helping the Panthers overcome a pair of upset bids and finish the league campaign with just one loss. The junior forward scored 17 points in each game, but the bulk of his production came down the stretch of each contest, coming through with big buckets in the fourth quarter for the Kelley-Rex division champs. O’Leary is the league’s leading scorer and has the Panthers at 17-1 on the season.
“Sean has been amazing this entire season and this past week was no different,” said Franklin head coach CJ Neely. “In both of our games he made huge plays down that stretch to score or set up his teammates and take over the final minutes in two big wins. He is such a great player and teammate.”
On Tuesday night, Franklin was given a stiff test at Attleboro. The Bombardiers slowed the tempo and made the Panthers work for every point, but O’Leary sparked a late 12-0 run that secured the victory. He had a pair of and-ones, kicked out of a double team for a Justin Allen three, and then buried a corner three to put Franklin ahead 37-30. After Attleboro cut the lead back to one, he assisted on another Allen three to seal the win. O’Leary finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Three days later, he was at it again, scoring 12 of his team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter against Milford to help the Panthers hold off the Hawks, making some big plays down the stretch while also recording eight boards and four assists.
The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision.
Sean O’Leary
Sean O’Leary The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Sean O’Leary The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Sean O’Leary The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Sean O’Leary The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Sean O’Leary The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Sean O’Leary The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Sean O’Leary The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision. Sean O’Leary The Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, is selected by the HockomockSports.com staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at midnight. There may be a poll posted on every Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision.
Boys Basketball
North Attleboro, 45 @ Attleboro, 56 – Final – North Attleboro senior Derek Maceda poured in 12 of his 16 points in the third quarter and North Attleboro scored 19 in the frame to cut the deficit to single digits, but Attleboro kept the visitors at bay in the fourth to secure the win. The Bombardiers built a 29-15 lead at halftime but Maceda helped orchestrate a comeback attempt, hitting a three at the buzzer to pull the Rocketeers within 43-34 going into the fourth. Attleboro senior Justin Hanrahan opened the fourth with five straight points — two free throws and a traditional three-point play — to restore the Bombardiers’ double-digit advantage and they held it the rest of the way. Jaiden Outland had a team-high 12 points, Hanrahan added 10 points, and Michael Beverly chipped in with nine points. Sophomore Chase Frisoli added 14 points for the Rocketeers.
Canton, 39 @ Mansfield, 61 – Final – Mansfield and Canton were level after the first eight minutes but the Hornets went on to outscore the visitors in each of the final three quarters to run away with a 61-39 win over the Bulldogs, clinching the Davenport division title outright. After going back-and-forth, the teams were tied 14-14 after one but Mansfield had a big second quarter with JT Veiking (18 points, 5 rebounds) sinking a pair of threes and Eddie McCoy (13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) adding a triple of his own to push the lead to 32-20 at half. Chris Hill added 10 points for the Hornets. Caden Mirliani had a team-high 12 points for Canton.
Foxboro, 52 @ Oliver Ames, 31 – Final – Click here for a Photo Gallery from this game. – Foxboro set the tone early with its defensive effort and had a consistent performance on the offensive end to win its final league game of the year, pulling into a tie in third place of the Davenport division with Canton. The Warriors limited OA to just six points in each of the first three quarters with disciplined defense and good rebounding. Foxboro senior Alex Penders dominated on both ends with a game-high 24 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists to lead the way for the Warriors. Rayna Kelley added nine points and four rebounds. Sophomore Cole Craffey led OA with eight points and four rebounds.
Franklin, 63 @ Milford, 53 – Final – Franklin clicked into gear in the third quarter and then pulled away for good in the fourth against a resilient Milford squad. The Hawks had a one-point lead after the first but Franklin had six players contribute to the scoring in the second and went 9-for-10 from the line in the period to stake a 27-23 halftime lead. Hansy Jacques had his best game of the year for the Panthers as the junior erupted for nine of his career-high 16 points in the third quarter and senior Geino Scaringello hit a pair of threes as Franklin extended its lead to 45-34 going into the fourth. Franklin junior Sean O’Leary finished the game strong, scoring 12 of his team-high 17 points in the fourth, going 7-for-10 from the line overall in the game. Milford sophomore Andrew Rivera had a team-high 13 points and eight rebounds, senior Wyatt Zagami added 11 points, and sophomore Luca Testa finished with 10 points for the Hawks.
King Philip, 57 @ Taunton, 71 – Final – It was a tale of two halves as Taunton flipped the script on visiting King Philip by erasing a double-digit deficit at the break and running away with a 71-56 win. Grant Kinney, Tommy McLeish, Tommy Kilroy, and Trevor Clyde each connected for a three in an 18-point third quarter that saw the Warriors surge ahead 33-23 at halftime. Taunton freshman Jakari Innocent flipped a switch in the second half as he scored 20 of his career-high 22 points after the break, including 11 in the third quarter to jumpstart the Tigers’ offense. Junior Troy Santos added six in the frame and had 17 of his 22 points in the second half. Al Morisseau added 10 points and Chris Volcy chipped in with nine points for Taunton, which scored 21 points in the third and 27 points in the fourth quarter, going 13-for-19 from the line. Tommy Martorano and Kilroy each had 11 points for KP while Brandon Nicastro finished with 10 points.
Sharon, 75 @ Stoughton, 73 – Final (OT) – Sharon erased a four-point deficit with under 20 seconds to go to force overtime and then outlasted the Black Knights in the four-minute extra period to secure the win on the road over an upset-minded Stoughton squad. Jayden Costa-Haywood (20 points) sank a pair of free throws to push Stoughton’s lead to 67-63 but a foul sent Matt Baur (22 points) to the line, and his two free throws cut the deficit in half with 17 seconds to go. The Eagles were able to trap with the press and pick off a pass, which led to a floater from Baur taking a kind bounce and in with two seconds left to make it 67-67. Baur opened the overtime with a triple and Jacob McLoughlin (17 points) added a free throw to push the lead to four. After Stoughton got it back to three off a free throw from Jarred Daughtry, McLoughlin had a traditional three-point play with two minutes to go to make it 74-68. Costa-Haywood answered on the other end with a three-point play of his own to cut the deficit in half. Daughtry hit two more to make it a one-point game at 74-73 with 43.1 seconds to play, and Stoughton had a shot in the air to take the lead but it was off the mark and a Tyler Goodman free throw with 1.5 seconds left iced it. Nate Katznelson added 12 points for the Eagles. Matt Greenspoon scored 16 points for Stoughton while Obi Dike added 11 points and Anthony Alessi chipped in with 10 points.
Girls Basketball
Attleboro, 65 @ North Attleboro, 36 – Final – The Bombardiers scored 20-plus points in the first and third quarters to pull away for a big bounce back win. Eight players got on the score sheet for Attleboro in the win. It was a quick start for the visitors, as Kayla Goldrick and Avery James each scored six points and Lily Routhier added four in a 20-11 quarter. Ava McKeon tried to keep North in the game with seven of her team-high 15 in the opening quarter. Attleboro scored 14 in the second, while holding North to just six. Vanessa Ellis was held scoreless for the first half, but she got things going with nine points in the third and then added another eight in the fourth to finish with a game-high 17. The Rocketeers tried battle back in the fourth with 17 points as a team, including six more from McKeon and all five of Ella McLaughlin’s points in the game. Goldrick would finish with 12 points, Routhier would have nine, and James scored eight. Sam Sweeney added 10 points for the Rocketeers.
Mansfield, 47 @ Canton, 33 – Final – Mansfield put in a strong defensive performance to secure a home win in the Hockomock finale. The Hornets didn’t allow Canton to reach double digits in the first three quarters and opened up an 18-point lead. The visitors jumped out to a 16-9 lead after one and doubled up Canton 12-6 in the second to make it a double-digit game at halftime. Abby Wager, Kara Santos, and Hallie Popat combined for 19 points in the first half. Wager would go on to score eight of Mansfield’s 10 points in the third and the Hornets held Canton to just five to break the game open. The Bulldogs had their best offensive quarter in the fourth, scoring 11 points, including four from Erin Beatty and Emily McCabe’s second three of the night. Wager led all scorers with 14, while Santos finished with 10 and Popat added eight. Fatima Sidibay was Canton’s top scorer with seven points, while Beatty and McCabe each totaled six.
Milford, 24 @ Franklin, 58 – Final – Franklin had 13 different scorers, none with more than eight points, to close out the league campaign with a big win. The Panthers held Milford to just nine points in the first half, going into the locker room with a 24-point lead. Katie Peterson scored all eight of her points in the first quarter, as the Panthers scored 24 in the opening eight minutes. The Hawks would play even in the third, as Brooke Ferreira scored eight of Milford’s 10 points. She finished with a dozen on the night. Franklin’s depth was too much. The Panthers got contributions up and down the roster. Norah MacCallum scored seven, while Elle Bonacci and Kyra McSweeney each chipped in with six. Aliza Syed had five points for the Hawks, all in the first quarter.
Taunton, 38 @ King Philip, 56 – Final – Emily Sawyer exploded for 16 points in the fourth quarter and had a career-high 34 points, powering KP to a bounce back win in the final home game of the regular season. Jackie Bonner chipped in with 14 points and four threes for the Warriors. KP grabbed the lead in the first, as Sawyer and Maddie Paschke each scored four and Bonner knocked down her first triple. The Warriors extended the lead to 25-18 at halftime, as Sawyer and Bonner had all 11 of KP’s points in the second. Cali Melo kept the Tigers close with 10 of her team-high 16 in the opening half. Sawyer and Bonner had all of KP’s points in the third quarter as well, combining for 14 to add another six points to the lead. In the fourth, the Warriors continued to feed Sawyer in the post and the 6-foot-3 center, and league’s leading scorer, had 16 of KP’s 17 points to put the game out of reach. Paschke added her fifth point of the night in the fourth. Taryn Campbell added seven points and eighth grader Raya Horton chipped in with six for the Tigers.
Stoughton, 56 @ Sharon, 59 – Final – Rachael Hager nailed the game-winning three, one of several big plays she made down the stretch, to lift the Eagles to a sweep of the season series. Hager finished with 16 points. Jasmine Davis continued to dominate in the paint, scoring a game-high 26 points for Sharon. Kirsten McKay was Stoughton’s top scorer with 15 points and grabbed four boards. Raina Tat continued her run of double-digit games, scoring 12 points, while Leah McCarty had eight points and four rebounds and Katrina Varnum scored seven and grabbed a dozen boards.
Boys Hockey
Taunton, 6 @ Everett/Revere, 2 – Final
Girls Hockey
Canton, 2 vs. Norwood, 1 – Final – Ellie Bohane scored the game-winner with 40 seconds left in regulation to earn the Bulldogs a big win against another Div. 2 title contender. Audrey Koen scored Canton’s first goal before Bohane popped up with the late winner to extend the Bulldogs’ unbeaten streak to 11 games (7-0-4).
