06/07/2019

Attleboro Edges Mansfield In Back-And-Forth Battle

Attleboro softball Meghan Gordon — Attleboro freshman Meghan Gordon swings at a pitch in the third inning against Mansfield. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

MANSFIELD, Mass. – When the Mansfield and Attleboro softball teams meet, it doesn’t matter where the teams are in the standings, you know you’re in for a good game.

Even more so was the case when the 16th-seeded Hornets hosted the 17th-seeded Bombardiers in an MIAA Division 1 South Preliminary Round game, with each team’s season hanging in the balance.

And with seven of the last 10 meetings dating back to 2015 having been decided by two or fewer runs, its no surprise that Thursday’s contest came down to the final inning.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

In a see-saw battle that saw Mansfield take its second lead of the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, Attleboro responded with two runs in the top of the seventh to take the lead for the third time and junior Emily Gittle (7IP, 11H, 2BB, 5ER, 13K) struck out the side in the bottom half to give the Bombardiers a 7-6 win.

“It doesn’t matter what the records are, it’s just one of those games,” said Attleboro coach Mark Homer. “It’s a really good rivalry, it was a great game today. You have to be able to come back from things like errors and that’s what good teams do because you can’t play a perfect game. And our big players came through when we needed them.

“The kids persevered. We had the same type of game against Franklin, so we’ve been there before. We’re never out of it, especially when it’s one run. [Mansfield] is a good team, they battle, they find ways to get runs too. Those Bendanillo’s are two really tough outs. Emily Gittle was strong in the circle, a quiet 13 strikeouts tonight. We had some errors but I thought we got some big outs today at the right time.”

The Bombardiers had the first lead in the game after scoring in the first inning, the Hornets seized the advantage with three runs in the fourth, Attleboro jumped back in front with four runs in the fifth before setting up a frantic finish.

“This is how it’s been every time we play them,” said Mansfield head coach Lori Letendre. “I think if you play two more innings, it could have gone the other way. It’s that type of game every time we play Attleboro, unfortunately, they got us all three times this season.

“We hit the ball well today just not when we needed it most. That’s been the story of our season, leaving runners on base and having runners in scoring position and not getting the hit we needed. We had the bases loaded twice, runners on second and third at least once, we had our chances…just couldn’t get it done.”

Trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth, the Hornets struck for three runs to go back in front for the second time. Senior Sydney Woods clubbed a leadoff double and moved to third on a single from sophomore Ella Verheggen. Verheggen stole second but Gittle got a strikeout and a groundout to get the first two outs.

Kara Bendanillo battled to a walk to load the bases and all runners moved up a base with Woods coming in to score to bring the Hornets within one. Senior Megan Letendre drew another walk to load the bases again, bringing the Hornets’ top offensive player in Mady Bendanillo.

The senior delivered, lacing a single through the left side to bring in two runs to put Mansfield up 6-5 and the pressure on the Bombardiers with just three outs left.

Attleboro came up with a big response as freshman Hailey Perry drew a leadoff walk and classmate Meghan Gordon advanced the run into scoring position after Mansfield starter Sarah Cahill (7IP, 7H, 3BB, 6ER, 4K) induced a ground ball out. Freshman Lindsey Perry singled to put runners on the corners with the Bombardiers’ top offensive threat McKenzie Bergdoll coming to the dish.

Bergdoll delivered the clutch hit the visitors needed, blasting a double deep to left to bring in both runs and putting her team back ahead, a lead they’d hold onto for the win.

“It was the best [Bendanillo] against the best [Bergdoll] and we happened to be the last one standing,” Homer said. “That’s the way you want it to be. You come from behind like that, that’s great for the team, it’s good to persevere because we play a very good team on Saturday.”

Bergdoll put the visitors on the board in the top of the first inning. Gordon smacked a double to start the game and then stole third when Lindsey Perry took ball four and was walked. Bergdoll hit a fly ball deep enough to left for a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.

Mansfield’s offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth and used a combination of hits and Bombardier errors to jump in front. Kara Bendanillo led off with hard-hit single to left and took third when the ball was misplayed. An infield error allowed Letendre to reach and Bendanillo to score to tie the game. Senior Caty DeMassi followed with an RBI triple and scored herself when the throw home sailed high, putting the Hornets up 3-1.

The Bombardiers mounted a comeback just a half inning later with four runs on their own. Kayla Battisti led off with a single and Gittle reached on a throwing error, putting runners on the corner. Hailey Perry drove in a run with a single and Gordon followed with a triple to bring two more runs in. A single from Lindsey Perry brought in the fourth run of the inning to put Attleboro head 5-3.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Freshman Hailey Perry, Lindsey Perry, and Meghan Gordon combined for five hits, five runs, and five RBI in the win.

“The bats came alive, and again at the end,” Homer said. “The Perry’s and Meghan Gordon…they are all freshmen. It was huge to get hits from all parts of the lineup.”

Attleboro softball (11-10) advances to the MIAA D1 South First Round and will travel to top-seeded Bridgewater-Raynham (19-1) on Saturday at 4:00. Mansfield finishes the season 12-9.

05/26/201905/26/2019

Franklin Edges Attleboro in Back-and-Forth Battle

Gabby Colace reached base three times and scored a pair of runs, as Franklin pulled out a 7-6, come from behind win against Attleboro on Sunday morning. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

FRANKLIN, Mass. – Both teams had already qualified for the postseason and Sunday morning’s matchup felt like preparation for the upcoming state tournament. It was a game in which both teams battled back multiple times and both learned what they will need to work on to make a playoff run.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

In the end, Franklin made enough plays to pull out a 7-6 victory over Attleboro. Senior Emily Valentino came off the bench to pitch 2-1/3 innings of scoreless relief and drove in the game-tying run with a fifth inning single.

“Emily Valentino came in and kind of slammed the doors, so to speak,” said Franklin coach Kate Fallon. “She did a nice job out there.”

She also praised the Bombardiers for being aggressive and putting pressure on the Panthers. Fallon said, “They put a lot of pressure on us today. They came here swinging and trying to take some names. They put up a nice performance against us today and redeemed themselves from the first game (a 14-0 Franklin win).”

Attleboro was playing its third game in the span of 24 hours. The Bombardiers completed a rain delayed game with Taunton on Saturday morning and then drove 90 minutes to play Marblehead. Attleboro beat the Magicians to qualify for the tournament and carried that momentum to Franklin.

“They could’ve laid down coming into this one but they didn’t,” said Attleboro coach Mark Homer about his team’s attitude on Sunday morning. “We’ve had some pretty bad injuries, so we had three freshmen out there today. They’ve been doing a good job up and down the lineup.”

Meghan Gordon led off with a single to right, followed by a swinging bunt from Lindsey Perry that turned into an infield hit. After a groundout moved both runners into scoring position, Lora Woynton brought in a run with a deep sac fly to center and Natalie Mansur singled to left and drove in a second.

The Panthers cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first. A one-out triple by Gabby Colace was followed by a sac fly to left by Ally Shea. Gordon made a nice running grab for the out, sliding past the foul line, but it allowed Colace to come home without a throw.

There were no clean innings on Sunday. Even scoreless frames included at least one base runner. Franklin starter Jackie Cherry pitched out of trouble in the second and third innings to keep the Panthers within one. Colace turned a double play when she snagged a line drive at second and tagged the runner to end the third.

Franklin grabbed its first lead in the bottom of the third. Anna Balkus bunted her way on to lead off and stole second. A passed ball moved her to third and Colace reached when her bunt was unable to be fielded cleanly. An error brought in the first run of the third to tie it and Maddy White lined a single to put Franklin in front. Sarah Jackson added a third run with an RBI-groundout.

Attleboro starter Jenna Gittle managed to limit the damage with a strikeout and a pop up to first, but the Panthers were up 4-2.

The lead was short-lived. The Bombardiers rallied for three runs in the fourth. Autumn O’Connell got it started with a single and, after Cherry retired the next two batters, Perry drew a two-out walk to keep the inning alive for power hitter McKenzie Bergdoll. She crushed a three-run homer over the fence in left-center to put the visitors back on top.

“That’s what McKenzie Bergdoll’s got to do,” said Homer. “That’s her job. She’s one of the better hitters in the league, she’s a power hitter, but it’s also the set up before that getting people on base. We weren’t doing that earlier in the season.”

In the bottom half of the inning, Franklin bounced back again to tie it. Maggie Hobby walked and advanced to third after a pair of passed balls. Balkus hit a sharp grounder to short but the throw to the plate was not in time and the game was evened up at 5-5.

The back-and-forth game continued to ebb and flow with the Bombardiers grabbing the edge in the fifth. Colace threw ahead of the lead runner to get a big second out for the Panthers and it looked like they may escape the jam but Hailey Perry singled to right to bring in Kayla Battisti. Valentino came in with runners at second and third and got a strikeout to get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Valentino helped her own cause. With one out, he dropped a single into right that scored White to tie the game again. Battisti kept the game tied when she was able to field a Hobby bunt and flip to Woynton at the plate to cut down the potential go-ahead run. Gittle got a big break when Balkus’ two-out single to left, which scored two runs, was nullified by the home plate ump saying she stepped out of the box as she hit it.

Valentino managed to get out of a jam in the sixth and Franklin scored the eventual game-winner in the bottom half. Battisti made another play at third to get a runner at the plate, but with two outs a grounder was mishandled and the go-ahead run scampered home.

After an error put the lead runner on in the seventh and a sacrifice bunt moved the runner into scoring position, Valentino got a pop up to Hobby behind the plate and then a fly ball to herself in the circle to close out the win.

“We came out on top,” said Fallon. “We pulled it together and we also learned a few things that we need to clean up, to work on heading into the tournament.”

Despite the loss, Homer was also positive about his team’s performance. He explained, “This was a great game for us, in this part of the season, because they battled all week. It would’ve been great to win, it always is, but I like where we’re at right now. For us to go to the distance and battle them right to the end, I’m okay with that because we’ll probably meet one of those six other [Hockomock League] teams in the tournament.”

Franklin (13-5, 12-3) has two more games this week to prepare for the tournament, starting with Canton on Tuesday. Attleboro (9-10, 8-7) will close out the regular season on Tuesday against North Attleboro.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

05/25/201905/26/2019

Saturday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 05/25/19

Today’s games are listed below.

Baseball
Franklin, 6 vs. Lincoln-Sudbury, 4 – Final – Franklin beat Lincoln-Sudbury to claim the Pedroli tournament championship. The Panthers built a 4-0 lead, and once the Warriors threatened by scoring twice, added two runs of their own and then held off Lincoln-Subdury in the final innings for the win. Senior Jake Macchi had two hits and scored two runs to earn tournament MVP honors. Alex Haba also had two hits with an RBI and two runes scored. Scott Elliott (run), Jack Nally (run, RBI), Joe Lizotte (run), Shane O’Neil (run), Cooper Ross (RBI), and JB Floris (RBI) all contributed for Franklin. Brennan Rivera earned the win, allowing one earned run on four hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work while Liam Dailey fanned the final batter for the save.

Taunton, 8 @ New Bedford, 6 – Final – Taunton erased a five-run deficit, scoring eight straight runs between the fifth and sixth innings to earn a win on the road over the Whalers. The Tigers scored three in the fifth to get within two runs before using a five-run sixth inning to take the lead. Junior Colby Lariviere went 2-for-4 and drove in a team-high four runs, junior Nic Notarangelo added two hits, a run scored and three RBI, and junior Jared Roderick had two hits and scored a run. Junior Logan Lawrence was strong in relief with one unearned run allowed on two hits and one walk in two innings of work, striking out three.

Softball
Taunton, 13 @ Attleboro, 2 – Final – In a game continued from earlier in the week, Taunton earned a season sweep of the Bombardiers. Sophomores Hanna Aldrich (walk, RBI, run), McKenzie McAloon (two doubles, three RBI, run) and Kelsey White (home run, double, RBI, run) each belted out three hits for the Tigers while Jaime Brown (three RBI, run), Paige Silvia (two runs), Ava Venturelli (two runs), and Abbie McDonough (three RBI, two runs) each had two hits. White earned her 14th win of the season, allowing two runs on four hits, one walk, one hit batter, and eight strikeouts in six innings of work.

Attleboro, 6 @ Marblehead, 1 – Final – After finishing a game with Taunton in the morning, the Bombardiers hit the road and picked up a win over Marblehead to qualify for the state tournament. Trailing by a run, McKenzie Bergdoll smashed a two-run home run over the fence in center field to put the visitors up for good in the fourth inning. Meghan Gordon and Lindsey Perry each had RBI singles in the fifth to score Kayla Battisti and Hailey Perry to make it 4-1. Attleboro tacked on two big insurance runs in the seventh when Bergdoll and Lora Woyton (double) each drove in a run. Emily Gittle earned the win in the circle, allowing one unearned run on two hits with eight strikeouts, retiring the last 13 betters in a row.

Boys Lacrosse
Franklin, 15 @ Cohasset, 7 – Final – Franklin had one of its best performances of the season, going on the road and beating a good Cohasset team in impressive fashion. The Panthers raced out to a 9-3 lead at halftime and had a 15-4 lead in the fourth quarter. Jacob Alexander won 20-of-25 faceoffs to give the Franklin offense a boost. Matt Lazzaro had four goals and four assists to lead the charge while Jake Davis added four goals and one assist, Ben Greco scored a hat trick and had two assists, and Nitin Chaudhury chipped in with two goals and one helper. Will Davis was solid in net with 12 saves.

04/02/201904/26/2019

2019 Hockomock League Softball Preview

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2019 Hockomock Softball Preview

Attleboro

2018 Record: 9-12
2018 Finish: Reached D1 South Preliminary Round
Coach: Mark Homer

After back-to-back playoff appearances, the expectations are high around the Attleboro program this spring. The Bombardiers return eight of nine starters from last year’s team and the lineup should be loaded with good hitters, as well as multiple players who can step into the circle and produce a good start. With the depth on the roster this season, Attleboro will be eyeing another postseason berth.

Senior McKenzie Bergdoll is one of the top power hitters in the league and will be back for another spring in the heart of the Attleboro lineup. She will be joined by classmates Jordyn Lako and Kayla Battisti as starters. Junior Makenzie Killough will be back at shortstop and also batting cleanup and providing protection for Bergdoll in the order. Sophomore Lora Woyton returns behind the plate, sophomore Autumn O’Connell will be in center and batting second and junior Ashley Macia will be out in left. Sophomore Brenna Morse will be taking over in rightfield. In the circle, Attleboro has plenty of depth with juniors Emily and Jenna Gittle and Bergdoll all able to step in. The Bombardiers will try to take advantage of their overall team speed and head coach Mark Homer said there are a few freshmen who may see playing time right away.

“The bar was set high from last season,” said Homer. “So the girls are onboard to perform well again this season with high hopes of competing in every game they play. They have set some goals to achieve one a\t a time. I am cautiously optimistic with our chances of winning more games this season than we have in the past. Knowing that there are no easy games on our schedule so we have to come to play every night.”

Canton

2018 Record: 8-13
2018 Finish: Reached D2 South Quarterfinal
Coach: Dave Bohane

Canton had quite the turnaround in 2018 under second-year head coach Jennifer Robillard, winning eight games, seven more than in 2017, and making a return to the state tournament. Robillard, last season’s HockomockSports.com Coach of the Year, has moved on to a position at Bentley and football coach Dave Bohane has taken over a team that has seen an influx of young talent and has momentum on its side heading into the spring.

Junior pitcher Caroline Hughes is one of the reasons for optimism in the program, as she is looking to build off a strong sophomore season in which she pitched almost every inning. Hughes was also one of the team’s top hitters and she will be at the heart of the lineup along with sophomore outfielder Liz Bickett, who batted .409 last season. Bickett is just one of several sophomores who the Bulldogs will be counting on, including infielders Olivia Lanci and Sarah Kelly, catchers Steph Trendell and Amanda Vrabel. Junior catcher Jackie Howard and seniors Haley Donovan and Ally Chin will provide leadership for this young group to try and get the Bulldogs right back into the state tournament mix.

“I am very excited to be coaching this team,” said Bohane, who has previously served the program as an assistant coach. “They are extremely hard working and devoted to the program. I think they will set the standard for our future players who come through the program. It’s a very tough league, but we will take it one game at a time and try to improve each game”.

Foxboro

2018 Record: 11-12
2018 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South Quarterfinal
Coach: Mark Maguire

Foxboro made a run in the Div. 2 tournament last season, winning a pair of games before being knocked out in the quarterfinals, and the Warriors will hope to build on that exciting finish to 2018 by making a run at the Davenport crown this spring. Even with the loss of catcher Hannah Davis, who was instrumental in the team’s playoff run, Foxboro has a strong returning core and some talented young players stepping in to give head coach Mark Maguire confidence ahead of the new season.

Senior Emma Rohan will be back in the circle for her fourth year as the Foxboro starter and she has the experience of pitching in a number of big games and against the top teams in the league. Senior Cam Willis will play first this season, but can also step in and pitch if needed along with junior Amelia Stowell. The pitchers will have a rookie to throw to, as freshman Allie Willis will be stepping in behind the plate. Sophomore Morgan Sylvestre returns at shortstop after a strong first season on varsity and will be one of the leaders of the infield. Senior Chelsea Gibbons is at third base and freshman Peyton Feldman takes over at second. Sophomore Nicole Theriault will be in centerfield but can play a number of positions, senior Riley Martignetti gives the team pop from the right side of the plate, and senior Jill Finn can play all three outfield positions.

“Preseason is going great as the girls are working very hard to be ready for the season,” said Maguire. “We have a group of girls who work hard. I think team defense should be good with our senior leadership, and the younger players who aggressively look to make plays in the field. I have high expectations for this team, as we look to compete for a Davenport title and gain a state tournament berth.”

Franklin

2018 Record: 9-11
2018 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Kate Fallon

Franklin has consistently been right behind perennial league leaders Taunton and King Philip in the Kelley-Rex division standings but has narrowly missed out on the playoffs by a single win in each of the past two seasons. This year, the Panthers have eight seniors coming back with the goal of getting the team back into the postseason and use a typically tough schedule to prep for a tournament run.

Pitching will be a strength for the Panthers this year with seniors Jackie Cherry and Emily Valentino giving the team depth and different options in the circle. Throwing strikes will be the key for both and limiting opposition base runners. Behind the plate, Franklin has plenty of experience as well with seniors Ally Shea and Maggie Hobby both capable of stepping in and handling the pitchers as well as providing power at the plate. Senior Tara Hartnett will be back at shortstop and provides strong defense up the middle. Junior Anna Balkus will be in centerfield and will set the table for the offense as the lead-off hitter. Junior Maddy White will be at third base and joins Shea and senior Kylie-Jade Bouzan as the team’s primary run producers.

“We are excited to see the Panther players on the field again,” said Franklin coach Kate Fallon-Comeau. “Overall our tough league and non-league schedule will keep us focused for tournament and we will rely on our solid pitching and defense.”

King Philip

2018 Record: 21-4
2018 Finish: Reached D1 South Final
Coach: Norm Beauchemin

Every season King Philip loses important players and every season the Warriors seem to be right back in the mix for the league title. This spring should be no different. KP will have several important players to replace in the lineup, but it expects to challenge for a 12th title in the past 13 seasons and also make another tournament run, following last year’s South final loss to Kelley-Rex rival Taunton.

Meghan Gorman is the player to watch for the Warriors this season, as the senior shortstop is one of the top defensive players in the state and also the spark plug at the top of the lineup. Senior Faith Turinese will move from the outfield into the circle and will split time with classmate Heather Nix as the top pitchers for the Warriors. Turinese also batted over .400 last year and will be an important bat in the middle of the order. Junior Destiny Goyco will step in behind the plate, after overcoming an injury from basketball season, and fellow junior Liliana Rolfe will take over at third. Grace Kelley will be at second base and Anna Bradley will be at first. The outfield will be filled with speed, including Kara McWhinnie in left, sophomore Paige Berdos in center, and either Ryan Stagg or junior Reaegan Simeone in right.

“One to nine, everyone hits the ball,” said KP coach Norm Beauchemin. “I’m looking forward to another solid season. The league overall is going to be very competitive, so it should be fun.”

Mansfield

2018 Record: 7-13
2018 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Lori Letendre

Mansfield is looking to bounce back from a tough 2018 season in which the Hornets struggled in the Hockomock (going 4-12 in league play) and missed the playoffs. This year, Mansfield hopes for a quick turnaround and return to the state tournament with an experienced roster that brings back 11 players, seven starters, and seven seniors from last season.

The battery of senior pitcher Sarah Cahill and senior catcher Caty DeMassi is back and should give the Hornets a good foundation on which to build on this season. Seniors Megan Letendre and Kara Bendanillo will hold down the left side of the infield and provide pop in the middle of the lineup, while Mady Bendanillo returns in centerfield to give Mansfield a dynamic defensive player and another strong bat. There is an influx of youth as well with two sophomores and a freshman jumping into varsity and having the chance to contribute right away.

“Our goal is to make it back to the tournament this year and with strong leadership from our captains and our seniors, I think we will have a good shot at it!” said Mansfield coach Lori Letendre.

Milford

2018 Record: 18-3
2018 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Steve DiVitto

The biggest question for Milford is how do the Hawks move on from a group of 10 seniors that won a combined 79 games, four league titles, and the 2017 state championship? Milford has been the team to beat in the Davenport division for six years and a relatively inexperienced group will have to face a season in which the target for every team in the league is squarely on their backs.

Junior Megan Hart is one of the primary options to replace Kelley Reichert in the circle to start the season, with freshman Olivia Morelli showing potential to step in and contribute innings right away. Senior Lucy Creedon can step in at first or in the outfield. Junior April Swain will jump into the outfield along with classmate Taylor Waldrup, while junior Amanda Wenckus can play either position on the left side of the infield and sophomore Carly Ferreira can play either corner infield spot. Sophomore Elise Fauerbach can play behind the plate or in the outfield, while her classmate Natalie Casilli will take an outfield spot. There are a lot of spots to fill this year, but head coach Steve DiVitto is talking about that as an opportunity for a new group of players to step into.

“We understand that lack of experience is something that we will need to combat with, however the bar will continue to be set high!” DiVitto said. “Each year a new page is turned over, and as always the focus is: what’s your legacy going to be? Keeping our awesome team chemistry will be an important part of this season. We’re excited for the challenges of playing in the best league in the state!”

North Attleboro

2018 Record: 16-5
2018 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Bill Wallace

Two seasons ago, North Attleboro was a young team that made a surprise trip to the South semifinal, but this year the Rocketeers will have much higher expectations. North is now the experienced team in the Davenport division and has aspirations of unseating Milford and winning a first league title since 1990 and adding to the league’s recent history of strong tournament performances with another deep run.

Junior pitcher Bella Erti will be one of the league’s top pitchers again this season, after a 15-5 sophomore season in which she struck out 137 batters. She also hit .357. Junior Ashley Cangiano is also back for her third year as a starter and is one of the top catchers in the league. Abby Gallagher returns to the North outfield after hitting .500 last season as a sophomore and senior Olivia Capobianco will be back in centerfield and the middle of the North lineup. Freshman Mandi Hanewich and sophomores Emma Bailey and Belle Clarkin will compete for the third outfield spot after impressive preseasons. Senior Katie Daby is at first, while sophomore Emily Nardelli moves from shortstop to second base. Junior Alex Moulson takes over at short and her classmate Annabelle Hebard will be at third. Emily Bedard and Makenzie Nardelli add to North’s infield depth and Alivia Byrne will give Erti a rest in the circle and is another big bat in the lineup.

“We will need to be more multi-dimensional, as late in the year we couldn’t sustain our offensive start to the season,” said North coach Bill Wallace. “This group really wants to make their mark on the league and they know how much work that is going to take.”

Oliver Ames

2018 Record: 3-17
2018 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Lindsey Allison

Last season was a struggle for the Tigers, with only three wins and head coach Lindsey Allison is hoping that a group of younger players can add to the returning core and make a push to get Oliver Ames back into the state tournament. Allison is confident that the offense will get into the swing of things for the Tigers after scoring only 66 runs last season, second-lowest in the league.

Senior Kayla Georgeu will be back in the circle for OA and in the heart of the lineup. The Tigers will count on sophomore Emma Varella to provide some innings at pitcher, as well as playing in the infield. Senior first baseman Katie Mills is a big bat for the Tigers and junior Katie Abreu can step in at either shortstop or centerfield depending on the game to provide vocal leadership. Sophomore Grace Simone will be behind the plate this season.

“Every spot is open for the taking and there are many young players who are hungry to be on the field,” said Allison. “This group of players seem like a team – not just a group of individuals. They compete with one another for positions, but also support each other. They hold each other accountable and communicate. I am excited to see what hard work can accomplish this season.”

Sharon

2018 Record: 0-20
2018 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Heather Poliferno

It was definitely a rough debut season for Sharon coach Heather Poliferno, but it was also a chance for a number of young players to get experience at the varsity level. This spring, there is renewed enthusiasm with a crop of underclassmen joining the experienced players to give Poliferno and the Eagles confidence for a much better spring.

Freshman Trinity Payne is the player to watch for the Eagles this season as she takes over as the starting pitcher and has already drawn the attention of coaches in the Davenport division. She will be used at a couple of different positions and gives the Eagles versatility in the lineup. Senior Alli Small will be back at shortstop this season, while classmate Jody Goldenberg is back at first, and senior Rebecca Clayman will be the leader of the outfield group. As the program is growing, Sharon is hoping for much different results this season.

“We are very excited for this season!” said Poliferno. “We have many returning players leading our varsity team, as well as the addition of a very talented freshman class. Though we have only had a handful of practices, one of our clear strengths is our desire to be the best on the field.”

Stoughton

2018 Record: 7-13
2018 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Deb Parker

Stoughton struggled to find a groove in 2018 and ended up missing the playoffs under first-year head coach Deb Parker, who had made the switch from Sharon before last season. This year, the Black Knights bring back starters in key positions and once again have the potential to make a run at a state tournament berth and even challenge for the Davenport title.

Seniors Nikki Coppola (second base) and Jordan Lyons (shortstop) give Stoughton a strong combination up the middle and senior Karly Estremera brings plenty of experience at third base. Sophomore pitcher Nicole Baker will take over full-time in the circle this season and Parker is impressed by the work that she put in during the off-season to get ready. Baker will be throwing to an experienced catcher, as senior Brianna Ferrandiz is back behind the plate for the Black Knights. Junior Lexi Baptista will lead the outfield crew in center and could also be one of Stoughton’s top hitters this season. Freshmen Melody Casna and Sydney Menz will give the Black Knights versatility by playing multiple positions.

“This team has come together so quickly, it is a real tribute to the leadership of our captains,” said Parker. “This team knows what they are playing for this year and we have high expectations going into the season. Softball in the Hockomock League is incredibly competitive but if we continue to work hard, we should have a great season.”

Taunton

2018 Record: 26-2
2018 Finish: Won D1 State Championship
Coach: Dave Lewry

How do you follow up a state championship? For Taunton, it just may be to make a run at a repeat. The Tigers lost the second, third, and fourth hitters in the lineup (including league MVP and HockomockSports.com Player of the Year Kya Enos), who combined for 88 RBI, but there is a ton of talent coming back from last season, all of whom contributed at one point or another during Taunton’s run to the title.

It starts in the circle where sophomore Kelsey White will be the starter again this season after going 16-2 as a freshman and pitching every inning during the playoff run (not to mention batting .418). Her sister Alexa will also see time at pitcher, along with freshman Olyvia Mendonca, but will also play most of the season in centerfield. The infield will be a strength for the Tigers, with all four players back. Senior Jaime Brown (batted .469) is back for her fifth year at third base and is one of the top hitters in the league, sophomore Hanna Aldrich (.385 average with four homers and 30 RBI) is in her third year at shortstop and was this site’s Underclassman of the Year in 2018, sophomore McKenzie McAloon returns at second base for her third season, and junior Paige Silvia is back at first. Silvia and junior Riley Murphy are also in the running to replace Enos behind the plate, while junior Abbie McDonough takes over in left and eighth-grader Ava Venturelli could start the season in right.

“While we lost three outstanding players to graduation, I am excited about the potential of this year’s team,” said Taunton coach Dave Lewry. “We have a good nucleus of returning players looking to defend our D1 state championship.”

04/23/201804/25/2018

Tuesday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 04/24/18

Today’s games are listed below.

Baseball
Franklin, 9 @ Attleboro, 7 – Final – Franklin’s Even Wendell made a spectacular catch to end the game with the tying run at the plate as the Panthers picked up a win on the road. Wendell (1-for-3, RBI) well full extension in the right-center gap to make the catch and secure the win. Bryan Woelfel earned the win on the mound, scattering eight hits over five innings of work, striking out three. Scott Elliott (2-4, two triples, two runs, two RBI), Alex Haba (2-for-3, triple, run, RBI), Jake Macchi (RBI), Colby Fitzgibbons (2-for-3, two runs) and Jake Noviello (3-for-4, two-run home run) all had strong days offensive for Franklin. Alvaro Espinel (2-4, double, run), Rob Furtado (3-for-4, run), Jon Candiales (2-for-4, triple) and Corey McKenna (2-for-3, run, two RBI) all had multiple hits for Attleboro.

Taunton, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 7 – Final – Matt McCormack struck out six and allowed two hits and two runs over five innings of relief to pick up the win for OA. He also went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Mike Friel also went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while Chris Pearsons and C.J. Deveau each had a pair of hits and an RBI.

Softball
Attleboro, 3 @ Franklin, 1 – Final – Jenna Gittle struck out four and pitched a complete game to pick up the win for the Bombardiers, scattering seven hits. Jackie Cherry had a no-hitter through four innings for Franklin but that was broken up by a MacKenzie Bergdoll (2-for-4) two-out double that brought in Kayla Battisti and Jordyn Lako to put Attleboro ahead 2-1. Gittle brought in Autumn O’Connell with a sac fly in the sixth for an important insurance run. Attleboro coach Mark Homer said both teams “played tight defense” throughout the game. Franklin’s Tara Hartnett knocked in Anna Balkus (2-for-4) in the third for the Panthers’ run.

Oliver Ames, 1 @ King Philip, 17 – Final (5 Inn.) – Faith Turnese allowed four hits and just one run in five innings of work for the Warriors, who had 12 hits as a team. Sydney Phillips led the way offensively with three hits, including a double, while Jess Bonner and Elise Pereira each had a pair of hits. One of the hits for Pereira was a grand slam. Lexie Campbell was 2-3 scoring the only run for the Tigers. Caroline Mahoney was 1-2 with an RBI and Katie Mills was 1-2.

Boys Lacrosse
North Attleboro, 7 @ Hopkinton, 11 – Final – North Attleboro dropped a close game on the road against a good Hopkinton team. Andy DeMattio and Damien Curtis each scored a pair of goals, Tommy Lindstrom had three assists and Jason McNeany (12-for-18 at the face off X) added a goal and an assist. McNeany also added 10 ground balls while Max Fontes had eight for the Rocketeers. Jake McNeany made 15 saves in net for Big Red.

Boys Tennis
Attleboro, 0 @ Franklin, 5 – Final – Franklin moved to 6-0 on the season, sweeping visiting Attleboro. Rohan Herur won 6-0, 6-1 at first singles, Liam Marr notched a 6-0, 6-0 win at second singles and Tyler St. Marie emerged with a 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-7 win at third singles. The team of Tyler DiPalma and Derek Wu didn’t drop a game in a win at first doubles and Tony Calderone and Dan Angermeier picked up a 6-0, 6-1 win at second doubles.

Canton, 4 @ Milford, 1 – Final

Oliver Ames, 0 @ King Philip, 5 – Final – King Philip didn’t lose a game in either singles matches and swept doubles play to beat Oliver Ames. Marco DiStefano (first singles) and Nick Putney (second singles) both won 6-0, 6-0 while Jack Cannon took a win at third singles via forfeit. Jack Mager and Luke Morreale won 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) at first doubles while Andy Cook and Tom Donahue picked up a 6-0, 6-0 win at second doubles.

Girls Tennis
Franklin, 1 @ Attleboro, 4 – Final – Attleboro defended home court against Franklin with two wins in singles play and two more at doubles. Torey Lussier won 6-2, 6-4 at first single and Brianna Arone picked up a 6-4, 6-2 win at second singles for the Bombardiers. Senior Merri Piazza and sophomore Rena Danho won 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 12-10 at first doubles while sophomores Nicole Matheson and Jill See emerged with a 6-1, 6-3 victory at second doubles. Franklin junior Krissy Stoyonova won 6-2, 6-3 at third singles.

Foxboro, 0 vs. Martha’s Vineyard, 5 – Final

King Philip, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 1 – Final – King Philip took all three singles matches in straight sets to earn a win on the road at Oliver Ames. Erin Regnier won 6-0, 6-1 at first singles, Meghan Sepich notched a 6-1, 6-2 victory at second singles, and Caitlin Gonser recorded a 6-4, 6-1 win at third singles. King Philip’s Hannah Putney and Lucy Barnard emerged in three sets (6-3, 5-7, 6-3) to earn the fourth point for the Warriors. Oliver Ames’ Kristin Bloumbas and Emily Yu won 6-1, 6-4 at first doubles.

Outdoor Track
Boys
Canton, 47 @ Milford, 89 – Final
Sharon, 55 @ North Attleboro, 81 – Final
Stoughton, 98 @ Foxboro, 38 – Final
Attleboro @ Mansfield, 3:45
Oliver Ames, 84 @ King Philip, 52 – Final
Franklin @ Taunton, 3:45

Girls
Canton, 30 @ Milford, 106 – Final

Sharon, 61 @ North Attleboro, 75 – Final

Stoughton, 64 @ Foxboro, 72 – Final

Attleboro, 47 @ Mansfield, 89 – Final – Amanda Mangano won three events for the Hornets, taking first in the 200, long jump, and the high jump. Bryn Anderson set a new personal record in the mile, finishing first in a time of 5:36.9, which was seven seconds faster than her previous best. Alicia Hottleman also set a PR in the 400 and recorded her first win in the event with a time of 66.2. Sophomore Lily Goulding won the javelin and her classmate Julia Miller beat her PR by four seconds to win the 800.

Oliver Ames @ King Philip, 3:45

Franklin, 106 @ Taunton, 30 – Final

Boys Volleyball
Milford, 3 vs. Catholic Memorial, 0 – Final

Taunton, 3 @ North Quincy, 2 – Final – The Tigers improved to 7-0 on the season with a 25-21, 24-26, 17-25, 26-24, 15-9 come from behind victory. Ricardo DaFonseca led the way for Taunton with 50 assists, four blocks, and a block on the final point that sealed the win. Lens Esquil had 14 kills and seven blocks, Lance Law had 15 kills and Malik Charles had eight kills for the Tigers, while Alex Tavares and Collin Hunter each contributed five kills and two blocks apiece in the win.

04/02/2018

2018 Hockomock League Softball Preview

By HockomockSports.com Staff

2018 Hockomock Softball Preview

Attleboro

2017 Record: 9-10
2017 Finish: Reached D1 South Preliminary Round
Coach: Mark Homer

Attleboro made a return to the state tournament last spring thanks to a no-hitter from McKenzie Bergdoll in the final game of the regular season and now the Bombardiers, who lost only three players from last year’s roster, are looking to build on that success to make another run at the postseason this year. Bergdoll, a junior, will be back in the circle again this season as well as one of the big bats that Attleboro will rely on to make it back-to-back playoff appearances.

Senior rightfielder Casey Whelan will add experience to a relatively young outfield unit and fellow seniors Vanessa Dancer and Adrianna Elel will provide leadership. Juniors Jordyn Lako and Kayla Battisti are back to contribute to the Bombardiers playoff challenge and there are high expectations for a talented group of sophomores that includes Makenzie Killough, Ashley Macia, and twin sisters Emma and Jenna Gittle.

“With the loss of only three seniors last year, our season has several impact returning veterans along with some new freshman that will fill the holes quite nicely,” said Attleboro coach Mark Homer. “This season’s early player roster looks very promising but it will be the leadership of the team that will determine our direction and state the facts at the end of the season.”

Canton

2017 Record: 1-19
2017 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Jennifer Robillard

Canton is coming off a difficult 2017, after winning one game under first-year head coach Jennifer Robillard, but both the coaches and players have a year of experience to build on and an infusion of young talent, with five freshmen being added to the varsity roster, has the Bulldogs looking at 2018 as a year to get the program heading in the right direction.

Sophomore Caroline Hughes will be the starting pitcher and will bat third this season and the coaches are confident that she can provide a lift to the team. Senior Hannah Jerrier will also be back in the middle of the order, after missing almost all of last season after breaking her hand during basketball, and should give the Bulldogs some added pop in the lineup. Senior Katie Halloran will be back in the middle of the infield and senior Evelyn Carrington returns in center. Unfortunately, injuries have struck again with sophomore Jackie Howard lost for the season, but Robillard believes that several of the new faces can come in and contribute right away.

“As a first-year varsity coach, last year was a learning experience for both myself and the girls,” Robillard said. “I am confident that we will make great strides towards success this season.”

Foxboro

2017 Record: 5-16
2017 Finish: Reached Div. 2 South Preliminary Round
Coach: Mark Maguire

Foxboro earned a playoff berth through the Sullivan Rule a season ago, despite 15 losses in the regular season, but the Warriors were much better than their overall record and No. 20 seed may have suggested. Out of the 16 games that Foxboro lost in 2017, six were by two runs or less, including a 2-0 loss to Ursuline Academy in the tournament, and those close games are what head coach Mark Maguire is hoping his team can turn into wins this year to make a run at the playoffs.

The Warriors will be looking to senior catcher Hannah Davis to provide the offensive punch, as the perennial league all-star has been among the Hockomock’s best hitters for the past three seasons. Classmate Lexi Buckner will also add some offense in the middle of the order and the lefty will be moving from second base to first this year. Senior Kelly McCarthy will be back in center and at the top of the order, while Chelsea Gibbons will be at third and Camryn Willis will be back at shortstop. Foxboro also has experience in the circle as third-year starter Emma Rohan will get the ball again for the Warriors.

“We have good senior leadership,” said Maguire about the team’s strengths. “Right down the center of the field we have vocal leaders to help the defense. We’re a good hitting team and I think fielding and pitching should be even better this year.”

Franklin

2017 Record: 10-12
2017 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Kate Fallon

Franklin missed the playoffs a season ago and have a relatively young roster this season, with just one senior in the squad, so the Panthers are flying under the radar as the season gets underway, but they don’t mind if teams overlook them at the start of the season as they try to get back into the postseason.

While there are a number of new faces for Franklin this season, the battery of junior pitcher Jackie Cherry and junior catcher Ally Shea are back, which gives the Panthers a strong foundation on which to build. Junior shortstop Tara Hartnett is also back to give Franklin strong middle of the infield defense and sophomore Anna Balkus will be in center. Senior Meg Caron, the lone upperclassman on the team, will add versatility playing at third and some outfield this season.

“We’re looking to make it back to the tournament this season,” said Franklin coach Kate Fallon. “Ally Shea and Meg Caron will provide excellent leadership for our up and coming athletes and no doubt in my mind they will be an integral part of our successes this season!”

King Philip

2017 Record: 18-7
2017 Finish: Reached D1 South Quarterfinal
Coach: Norm Beauchemin

Despite a lot of turnover in the lineup last spring, King Philip followed up its 2016 state championship by winning the Kelley-Rex division title and reaching the quarterfinal of the Div. 1 South sectional. With 10 returning players this season, KP has typically high expectations and one of the state’s perennial powers seems poised to make another run at a league title, which would be its 11th in the past 12 seasons, and to go deep in the state tournament.

The biggest change for the Warriors this season will be in the circle where senior Elise Pereira takes over as the primary starter after the graduation of Jenn Hutnyan. Pereira saw plenty of action last year too, but will have to shoulder the majority of the innings this season, backed up by Faith Turnese. Brianna Lacy will be behind the dish, returning as one of the league’s top defensive catchers. Senior Hailey McCasland returns at second base and junior Meghan Gorman is back at shortstop after a breakout sophomore season. Jess Bonner returns at third and senior Sydney Phillips will once again be in centerfield.

It is a loaded lineup with a ton of speed and a strong defensive unit, according to KP head coach Norm Beauchemin. He added, “This is a very hungry team that should compete for the Kelly-Rex and make a strong run in the playoffs.”

Mansfield

2017 Record: 13-9
2017 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Lori Letendre

After booking a return to the state tournament last spring, Mansfield returns 10 players, including five starters, to try and make it four playoff appearances in a row. The Hornets are relatively young with only three seniors on the roster and have some holes to fill, including two-thirds of the outfield, but there is a lot of confidence that the program will be able to compete with the best in the league.

Sarah Cahill took over as the starter during the season last year and she will be back in the circle again this spring trying to build on an impressive debut. Cahill will be throwing to her battery mate, as Caty DeMassi is back behind the plate. While the corner infield spots are open this year, Megan Letendre and Kara Bendanillo are back to fill the other infield spots and give the Hornets strength up the middle. Junior Mady Bendanillo is also back to patrol centerfield and fill one of the middle of the order spots, as one of the league’s most dangerous hitters. Freshman Elle Veheggen joins the team this spring as a newcomer to keep an eye on.

“We are a young team,” said Mansfield coach Lori Letendre. “The girls have been working hard in the off-season and came into tryouts well-prepared.”

Milford

2017 Record: 25-1
2017 Finish: Won D1 State Championship
Coach: Steve DiVitto

The defending Div. 1 state champions look loaded for another run at the title with nine returning players, including six starters, back from last season’s tournament run. Kelley Reichert will take over for Ali Atherton in the circle after seeing time as a reliever and starter in each of the past three seasons. The lineup looks just as potent as last year with senior shortstop Emily Piergustavo back after being named HockomockSports.com Player of the Year and league MVP.

Senior first baseman Jess Tomaso is back to add power in the heart of the order and senior Kate Irwin, fresh off reaching 1,000 points in her Milford basketball career, will return to set the table as the lead-off hitter and emotional spark plug. Senior second baseman Maddy Bonvino, senior rightfielder Shannon Cormier and junior catcher Emily Hartman will add depth to a fearsome lineup that features lots of power and speed.

“This year’s team is focused on the here and now and not the past,” said Milford coach Steve DiVitto. “Each year a new page is turned over, and the focus this year is: what’s your legacy going to be? Keeping our awesome team chemistry will be an important part of this season.”

North Attleboro

2017 Record: 14-7
2017 Finish: Reached D1 South Semifinal
Coach: Bill Wallace

The Rocketeers had a young squad last season but managed to surprise a few people by reaching the Div. 1 South semifinal, including an upset of league rival Taunton, and after that year of experience North Attleboro is expecting to be competitive again this spring. Sophomore pitcher Bella Erti is back in the circle after a strong freshman campaign and will be throwing to classmate Ashley Cangiano with the hope of improving on her breakout season.

Olivia Capobianco is back in centerfield after turning in a strong season and she will also be one of the table-setters for the lineup. Abby Gallagher and Katherine Munley will join Capobianco in an experienced outfield for the Rocketeers. Annabelle Hebard, Katy Daby and Abby Warren will play the corner infield positions, while Andrea Miceli is back at second base after a strong year at the plate and in the field. Stephanie Inglese and freshman Emily Nardelli will compete for the shortstop position.

North Attleboro coach Bill Wallace said, “If we want to repeat the success of last year we will need to find some power in the middle of the lineup lost to graduation last year.”

Oliver Ames

2017 Record: 4-16
2017 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Lindsey Allison

Oliver Ames will have plenty of experience this spring as it makes a run at a return to the state tournament. The Tigers have 10 players back from last year’s roster, including six seniors, highlighted by junior pitcher Kayla Georgeu, who will take the ball as the primary starter again this spring and who head coach Lindsey Allison thinks is ready to “come into her own” both in the circle and at the plate.

The strong senior class includes infielder Alexis Campbell, who will also chip in as a pitcher this year, outfielders Sarah Tetrault and Marissa Guarino, infielders Caroline Mahoney and Rachel Han, and catcher Antonia Peretti. Sophomore Katie Abreu had a strong rookie campaign and is expected to have an even better second season with the Tigers.

“The best thing about this team is their heart and determination – they show up to practice excited to work together and work hard every day,” Allison said. “They are coachable and strive to get better at every opportunity.”

Sharon

2017 Record: 6-14
2017 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Heather Poliferno

There is a change at the top for Sharon this spring and Heather Poliferno takes over for the Eagles, replacing Deb Parker after her move to league rival Stoughton, and the new staff is confident that the experienced players on the roster will set the tone for the team and give the Eagles a chance at booking a place in the state tournament.

Seniors Jamie Kessler and Jenika Patel and junior Rebecca Clayman are the captains this season and will provide leadership that Poliferno called “key to our success this season.” Junior Alli Small and freshman Julia Earley are players to keep an eye on this season for the Eagles as they could be big contributors in the field and at the plate. Junior outfielder Courtney Sollis brings an accurate arm and consistent contact at the plate.

“Our passion for the game and drive to compete is why we will be a strong contender in the Hock this year,” Poliferno said.

Stoughton

2017 Record: 10-11
2017 Finish: Reached D1 South Preliminary Round
Coach: Deb Parker

After back-to-back playoff appearances, Stoughton welcomes a new coach this spring to take over a roster filled with experience and talent. Deb Parker has made the move across the Davenport from Sharon to take over the Black Knights with an eye at another run at the postseason and with senior pitcher Gina Carafa back in the circle and the middle of the order there is plenty of optimism for a strong spring.

Joining Carafa in the Stoughton lineup is junior Jordan Lyons, who Parker called a “standout” third baseman. Lyons is one of a group of talented juniors that Stoughton will be counting on this season, including second baseman Nikki Coppola, shortstop Karly Estremera, and catcher Brianna Ferrandiz. Sophomore Lexi Baptista will add versatility to the lineup and Parker is excited about the freshmen class and expects that they will be able to contribute as well.

“The energy of this team is infectious!” said Parker. “ I am looking forward to this season and have very high expectations about what this team will be able to accomplish.”

Taunton

2017 Record: 17-5
2017 Finish: Reached D1 South First Round
Coach: Dave Lewry

Even with a host of underclassmen in the lineup, this is an experienced Taunton roster that will be trying to put together a run not only at a league title but also at a deep tournament run, after seeing the last couple of seasons end earlier than expected. With 10 returning varsity players, including seven starters, the Tigers will have high expectations and the key to reaching those goals will be replacing pitcher Courtney Fisher, as freshman Kelsey White and sophomore Jaylin Couto will step into the circle as regular starters this season. Junior Alexa White will also see time at pitcher.

The lineup is loaded again this spring, starting with senior catcher Kya Enos, who added power to her game last year. Junior Jaime Brown is in her fourth year on varsity and is coming off a season in which she was named HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year. Freshmen Hanna Aldrich and McKenzie McAloon stepped right in at the middle infield positions last year and will be building on that experience this year. Senior Lianna Duarte is back in center and senior left-fielder MacKenzie Handrahan will bring power to the middle of the lineup as well.

“I think we should have a solid infield defense,” said Taunton coach Dave Lewry. “Offensively we have the capability of putting runs on the board with a deep and experienced lineup.”

04/20/2017

Thursday’s Schedule & Scoreboard – 04/20/17

Today’s games are listed below.

Baseball
Oliver Ames, 8 @ Attleboro, 6 – Final – It was a back and forth battle between the Tigers and Bombardiers, with Oliver Ames prevailing behind three runs in the seventh inning. The Tigers grabbed the lead with three runs in the top of the first but Attleboro cut into the deficit with a pair of runs in the bottom half. Attleboro took a 4-3 lead in the fourth but OA grabbed a 5-4 advantage in the top of the fifth. The Bombardiers tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth and took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Oliver Ames took advantage of 10 walks on the day. Junior Matt Muir (2-for-5) drove in a pair of runs and the Tigers added an insurance run on a wild pitch to go up 8-6 in the top of the seventh. Cam Johnson was 2-for-3 with two RBI for OA while Alden Newman had a standout day behind the plate and went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore Chris Pearsons (RBI) picked up the win, coming on in relief in the sixth and didn’t give up a hit. Attleboro junior Jon Candiales (3-for-3) reached base four times and had an RBI double while sophomore Troy Van Vliet recorded a pair of hits for the Bombardiers.

Sharon, 3 @ Canton, 4 – Final – Canton struck for a pair of runs in the third and then again in the fourth, holding off a Sharon rally late to pick up its first win of the season. A trio of sophomores stepped up to lead the Bulldogs. Matt Pigeon had a two-run single to pace the offense. Paul Corcoran earned the win, tossing five scoreless innings while classmate Rob Sullivan earned the two-inning save. Sharon’s Spencer Singer had a three-run double in the sixth to bring the Eagles within one.

Foxboro, 2 @ Milford, 3 – Final – Milford senior Alex Macek had another strong outing on the mound for the Scarlet Hawks, going the distance without giving up an earned run. He scattered eight hits and struck out seven to earn the win. Offensively, he went 1-2 with a run scored. Milford scored all three runs in the third inning, junior Aidan Wilde going 2-for-3 with an RBI triple and Anthony Arcudi hitting 1-for-3 with an RBI for the Scarlet Hawks. Foxboro tacked on single runs in the sixth and in the seventh. Steve McLaughlin struck out five and allowed six hits in a complete game effort for the Warriors. Colin Thoener was 2-for-4 for Foxboro.

Franklin, 6 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – Franklin’s offense picked right where it left off from Wednesday’s walk-off win over Walpole. The Panthers pounced for three runs in both the first and second innings to take a 6-0 lead. Mansfield tacked on single runs in the fifth and seventh innings. Franklin junior Jason Ulrickson was impressive on the mound, giving up just one earned run on seven hits and just one walk in a complete game effort. Ulrickson also struck out five and had two RBI and a run scored on the offensive end. Jake Lyons (two runs) and Tyler Gomes (RBI) each went 2-for-4 for Franklin while Ryan Hodgkins (1-for-2) had an RBI and two runs, Bryan Woelfel had a two RBI single and Cam Lupien was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Mansfield’s Matt Farragher had an RBI single for the Hornets.

Taunton, 6 @ King Philip, 4 – Final – Taunton overcame a four run deficit, scoring runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to earn a key division win over King Philip. The Warriors plated a pair of runs in the second and the fourth innings. The Tigers cut the deficit in half with two in the fifth and took the lead with three runs in the top of the sixth. Taunton added an insurance run in the top of the seventh. With the game tied 4-4, Taunton senior Billy Emerson (1-for-2, two RBI) knocked in the go-ahead run with a single. Taunton sophomore Jack Moynihan (2-for-4, run) earned the win, striking out two with four runs allowed in six innings of work. Senior Danny Keogh got the save with a scoreless seventh inning. Tyler Medeiros and Jacob Crawford each went 2-for-4 with an RBI while David Schofield went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. King Philip’s Kyle Guenthner was 2-for-4 with two RBI and Chris Wing went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Wing also struck out three in 5.2 innings of work, allowing three earned runs.

Stoughton, 7 @ North Attleboro, 2 – Final – Stoughton’s Luke Johnson got the offense going early and Ryan Sullivan had a solid outing on the mound as the Black Knights battled the Rocketeers for the top spot in the Davenport. Johnson (3-for-4) connected for a two-out two RBI single in the top of the first to put Stoughton ahead. Evan Gibb had two hits, Ruben Gonzalez hit a solo home run and Jack Connelly knocked a two-run shot over the fence. Sullivan allowed just one earned run in six innings of work, walking two, allowing four hits and striking out five. Gibb pitched a scoreless, no-hit seventh inning with two strikeouts.

Softball
Attleboro, 10 @ Oliver Ames, 8 – Final – Attleboro scored early and often, needed each run to take down the Tigers at Parkview Elementary. Big Blue pushed across five runs in the top of the first and added two more in the second to take a 7-1 lead. OA responded with four runs in the bottom of the second to cut Attleboro’s lead to 7-5. The Bombardiers never relinquished the lead and took a 10-8 decision. McKenzie Bergdoll went the distance in the circle for Attleboro, striking out seven and went 3-for-4 at the plate. Lead off hitter Jordyn Lako went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Julya Woyton hit 3-for-4 with a three-run triple with the bases loaded in the first inning. AHS coach Mark Homer said Kayla Battisti made several stops at third base, helping to thwart OA’s comeback attempts. Oliver Ames’ Victoria Ziner was perfect at the plate (4-for-4, three singles, double) with three runs scored for the Tigers. Lexie Campbell (1-for-3) and Katie Abreu (3-for-4, double) had two RBI each. Rachel Han and Caroline Mahoney also each knocked in a run for OA.

Canton, 4 @ Sharon, 9 – Final – Senior Sam Marglous provided the offense to help the Eagles pick up a second win of the season. Marglous went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Alli Small, Rebecca Clayman, and Clara Cook each had hits and Sharon coach Deb Parker added that Small also played a strong defensive game at shortstop.

Milford, 16 @ Foxboro, 4 – Final (6 inn.) – Milford and Foxboro traded runs in the third inning to make it 2-2 but Milford’s offense came to life, scoring three runs in the fourth and then exploding for 11 runs in the sixth. Emily Piergustavo (3-for-5, HR, two runs, four RBI) and Jess Tomaso (3-for-5, HR, double, three runs, three RBI) connected on back-to-back home runs to pace the Hawks’ offense. Kaitlyn DeCapua went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, Emily Hartman was 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBI, a double and two runs and Shannon Cormier was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Mansfield, 5 @ Franklin, 4 – Final (9 inn.) – Mady Bendanillo scored the game-winning run for Mansfield in the top of the ninth inning on a sacrifice fly by Mackenzie Burke. Bendanillo slid in just ahead of the tag to give the Hornets the lead. Franklin put two runners on in the bottom of the ninth, but Sarah Cahill got the final two outs to earn the complete game win. Mansfield took a two-run lead in the top of the seventh. Megan Letendre reached on an error and Bendanillo was hit by a pitch, followed by back-to-back RBI singles by Marissa Staffer and Kerran Holmes. Franklin rallied with two in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings. Kim Moulton (pinch hit) and Rachel Cousineau (3-for-4) had back to back singles. Olivia Haba tagged up for third and scored on an overthrow. Olivia DiGiacomo singled to score Cousineau.

King Philip, 3 @ Taunton, 1 – Final – Taunton took the lead with a run in the bottom of the first, but King Philip responded with three in the top of the second and that was enough to pull out the win in a pivotal Kelley-Rex division game. Jess Bonner drove in one run and Elise Pereira had an RBI double and scored on a wild pitch, while Jenn Hutnyan allowed only one run on four hits to pick up the win for the Warriors. Courtney Fisher allowed two earned runs on three hits for the Tigers and Taunton coach Dave Lewry praised eighth grader Hannah Aldrich for a strong game defensively at shortstop. Aldrich had eight assists and three put-outs. MacKenzie Handrahan drove in the lone Taunton run.

North Attleboro, 14 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – North Attleboro freshman dazzled on the mound, striking out a career-high 14 batters, allowed just one hit and walked just two batters to help the Rocketeers blank Stoughton. Liz Morehouse paced Big Red’s offense, going 3-for-5 with five RBI. Olivia Capobianco and Andrea Miceli each had a pair of hits while Erti and Ashley Cangiano each scored a pair of runs.

Boys Lacrosse
Canton, 13 vs. Milton, 0 – Final – The Bulldogs picked up their fourth straight win, blanking Milton in a non-league clash at Canton High. Eight different players scored at least one goal, led by sophomore Mike Shaw’s four assists and one goal. CHS head coach Bill Bendell said his side got great defense from their poles: Michael Pigeon, Brendan Albert, Nick Mackay, Gabe Galeotos, Brian Ghostlaw, Jona Sutton, Michael Yong and Brian Albert. Freshman Jack Connolly (three quarters) and senior CJ Martin combined for the shutout in net.

Foxboro, 5 @ Mansfield, 4 – Final – Foxboro and Mansfield were tied after the first quarter (1-1) and tied at halftime (3-3). But Foxboro outscored the Hornets 2-1 in the third quarter and pitched a shutout in the fourth to edge Mansfield in the semifinals of the Chowda Cup. Andrew Whalen netted a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the third quarter. Bobby Yerardi, Brendan Tully and Sam Blake each scored once for Foxboro, who received 10 saves in net from goalie Jake Addeche. Foxboro head coach Matt Noone said Mike Collins and Lou Blake had strong games defensively for the Warriors. For Mansfield, Joe Cox had one goal and two assists while Cullen Murphy, Brett Kessler and Aidan Sacco each scored once. Sean Peters made 16 saves in net in front of a strong defensive effort led by Grant Milas and Josh London. Foxboro will play Catholic Memorial in the finals of the Chowda Cup on Saturday at Braintree.

Franklin, 10 vs. Walpole, 11 – Final (OT) – Franklin rallied from a 8-5 deficit at halftime to take a 9-8 lead in the second half. After Franklin was whistled for an interference call, the Rebels tied the game with 1:27 to go. Walpole netted the game-winner with 38 seconds left in overtime. Eric Civetti had four goals and four assist, Chase Tanner had four goals and Kyle McEniry had one goal and one assist. Connor O’Rourke made 17 saves in net for the Panthers while sophomore Jacob Alexander won 18 face offs.

King Philip, 7 vs. Medway, 13 – Final

Milford, 11 vs. ASMA, 3 – Final

Sharon, 5 @ Holliston, 11 – Final

Stoughton, 3 vs. Norton, 8 – Final

Girls Lacrosse
Attleboro, 2 @ Sharon, 17 – Final

Oliver Ames, 13 @ Pembroke, 14 – Final – Oliver Ames nearly overcame an eight goal deficit but fell just short on the road at Pembroke. The Titans jumped out to a 9-1 lead and held a 10-4 advantage at halftime. The Tigers won the second half 9-4 but came up just shy of tying the game. Liv Piazza scored five goals, Chloe Kilkelly scored four goals, Kendall Clifford and Sofia Masciarelli each had two goals for the Tigers.

Mansfield 16, vs. Holliston, 6 – Final – Maire Foley led the way for the Hornets with five goals and Ann Maher added a hat trick. Mansfield also got two goals apiece from Lauren Whitman, Kathryn Garvin, and Mairead Dunn and 10 saves from Hannah Sternburg.

Boys Tennis
Attleboro, 3 @ Oliver Ames, 2 – Final – Attleboro’s second doubles team of Hans Estrada and Luis Sandoval won in three sets, giving the Bombardiers the decisive third win to beat Oliver Ames. Estrada and Sandoval picked up a 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 win while Shawn Gordon won 6-0, 6-2 at first singles and Jared Cooper won 6-4, 6-4 at third singles. Oliver Ames’ Nick Cavanaugh 6-3, 6-0 at second singles and Greg Mueller and Michael Souza won 6-4, 2-6, 7-5 at first doubles.

Canton, 0 @ Sharon, 5 – Final – Sharon dropped just one game in singles player and just two in doubles to get the sweep against Canton. Junior Andre Olivei won 6-1, 6-0 at first singles, sophomore Danujan Thirumavalavan won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles and freshman Alberto Olivei won 6-0, 6-0 at third singles. The team of seniors Alex Romantz and Sammy Kirshenbaum won 6-0, 6-2 at first doubles and the team of juniors Ashwin Sreevatsa and Artie Chinnappan won 6-0, 6-0 at second doubles for Sharon.

Milford @ Foxboro, 3:45

Mansfield, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin relied on its depth to pick up a win over Mansfield in a Kelley-Rex showdown. While Mansfield won at first and second singles, the Panthers claimed wins at third singles and both doubles matches. Freshman Rohan Herur won 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-2 at third singles, James Johnstone and Derek Wu won 6-2, 6-3 at first doubles and Tyler DiPalma and Rahul Hosdurg clinched the match with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win at second doubles. Mansfield’s Benny Lin won 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 at first singles and Luke Nickerson won 6-3, 6-4 at second singles.

King Philip, 5 @ Taunton, 0 – Final – King Philip won all five matches in straight sets, dropping a total of six games on the road at Taunton. Cole Ginter won 6-0, 6-3 at first singles, Blake Ginter won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles and Marco DiStefano won 6-0, 6-0 at third singles. Ryan Gemelli and Sam Collela won 6-0, 6-1 at first doubles and Aidan Ignatius and Sean Desrochers won 6-2, 6-0 at second doubles.

North Attleboro, 4 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final – North Attleboro picked up wins at first and second singles as well as first and second doubles to beat Stoughton. Zac Pfeffer won 6-0, 6-0 at first singles and Barsomo Nuay won 6-0, 6-1 at second singles for Big Red. Daniel Zhang and Ben Pfeffer won 6-0, 6-1 at first doubles and Brendan Hurd and Keigan Beaugh won 6-1, 6-2 at second doubles. Stoughton’s Erik Anderson won 7-5, 6-2 at third singles.

Girls Tennis
Oliver Ames, 5 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final – Oliver Ames picked up a win on the road at Attleboro, winning all five matches in straight sets. Sarah Leger won 6-2, 6-0 at first singles, Mandi Miller won 6-2, 6-0 at second singles and Maura Kiernan won 6-0, 6-3 at third singles. The team of Tori Wyman and Kristin Bloumbas won 7-5, 6-1 at first doubles and Emily Yu and Ana Serjak won 6-2, 6-1 at second doubles for the Tigers.

Sharon, 4 @ Canton, 1 – Final – Sharon picked up the win on the road, notching two wins at singles and two wins at doubles. Nupur Shukla won 6-1, 6-0 at first singles and Rithika Neti won 6-1, 6-0 at second singles. The team of Sydney Gordon and Lauren Glass won 6-0, 6-2 at first doubles and Sachi Bhasin and Makalia Cheung won 6-3, 6-3 at second doubles for the Eagles. Sharon forfeited the match at third singles.

Foxboro, 5 @ Milford, 0 – Final – The Warriors went on the road and picked up an impressive win, dropping a total of five games between the five matches. Sophia Prinos won 6-0, 6-0 at first singles, Lexi Nelson won 6-0, 6-0 at second singles and Julia Muise picked up a 6-0, 6-1 win at third sinlges. Kayla Prag and Olivia Dantona won 6-2, 6-2 at first doubles and the team of Jacey Nicklas and Kendall Milender won 6-0, 6-0 at second doubles for Foxboro.

Franklin, 2 @ Mansfield, 3 – Final – Mansfield picked up a big division win against the visiting Panthers of Franklin, winning at second and third singles as well as first doubles. Junior Sarah Doyle won 6-3, 1-0 at second singles and sophomore Elizabeth Elsner won 6-1, 6-4 at third singles. The team of senior Chloe Peters and sophomore Tessa Garufi earned the third win for the Hornets, winning 6-2, 6-0 at first doubles. Franklin’s Hannah Sweeney won 6-0, 6-2 at first singles and the team of Jillian McCaugh and Hailey Stier won 0-6, 6-4, 6-1 at second doubles.

Taunton, 1 @ King Philip, 4 – Final

Stoughton, 0 @ North Attleboro, 5 – Final