Baseball
Attleboro, 4 vs. Melrose, 2 – Final – Attleboro put the finish touches on the regular season with a 4-2 decision over visiting Melrose. Sean O’Hara tossed a complete game for the win, allowing only two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk, striking out four. Cooper Johnson had a big day offensively for the Bombardiers as he went 3-for-3 with an RBI double in the first and scored on a wild pitch in the fifth. Casey Victorio scored two runs for the hosts, Owen Lombardo had a hit and an RBI, and Peter DelPozzo scored one run and had two walks.
Franklin, 4 vs. Natick, 5 – Final – Jase Lyons had another big day at the dish for Franklin but the Panthers suffered their second straight setback after allowing four unearned runs to Natick. Lyons went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Ryan Gerety (run), Ben Jarosz (RBI), and Rex Cinelli also had a hit apiece for Franklin. Alfred Mucciarone was not part of the decision after scattering five hits and four walks, allowing four runs (just one earned) while striking out 10 in 6 innings.
Softball
King Philip, 5 @ Bridgewater-Raynham, 6 – Final (8 inn.) – King Philip took the lead in extras on a solo home run from Sarah Cullen but the host Trojans rallied in the bottom half to walk off with win. KP built an early lead as Maddie Paschke drove in two in the top of the first and Ali Gill doubled in a run in the top of the second to make it 3-0. After B-R cut the deficit to one, Libby Walsh scampered home after a fielder’s choice to make it 4-2. B-R tied the game in the sixth and could have taken the lead but Charlotte Raymond saved multiple runs with a terrific sliding catch in left. The Warriors left nine runners on base in the loss.
Canton @ Cardinal Spellman, 10:00AM
Boys Lacrosse
North Attleboro, 8 @ Catholic Memorial, 10 – Final
Baseball
Attleboro, 5 vs. Bishop Feehan, 4 – Final – After seeing its two-run lead disappear in the top of the seventh, Attleboro rallied to plate one in the bottom half and walk off with a win over non-league rival Bishop Feehan. The visiting Shamrocks scored once in the first and once in the third to carry a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning but back-to-back RBIs from Andrew Gorman and Casey Victorio brought the Bombardiers level. An inning later, Matt Harvie smacked an RBI double to put Attleboro ahead for the first time and Ran Martin followed with an RBI single to score Jackson Huntington (walk) to make it 4-2. Bishop Feehan came through with two outs in the top of the seventh to tie the game but Attleboro once again had an answer. Huntington led off with a walk and moved to second on a single from Victorio. Pinch runner Owen Lombardo moved to third on a fielder’s choice then sprinted home on a wild pitch for the winning run. Jonny Pagano pitched well with just two runs allowed on seven hits and one walk, striking out eight in six innings. Danny Johnson earned the win in relief pitching the seventh inning.
Taunton, 11 vs. Shrewsbury, 1 – Final (6 Inn.) – In a big non-league test against another team ranked in the top 10 in Division 1, Taunton passed with flying colors. The Tigers wasted little time as they plated a pair of runs in the first and then added three runs in second, two more in the fifth, and ended the game with a four-run sixth inning. Braden Sullivan led the hit parade for the hosts, accounting for three of Taunton’s 14 hits on the day. Sullivan also scored three runs while Brayden Cali (RBI, two run), Ryan MacDougall (three RBI), and Dwayne Burgo (triple, two RBI, run) each had two hits. Taunton sophomore Johnny Escobalez had his second straight strong showing on the mound, allowing just one run (unearned) on three hits and no walks, striking out 10 in six innings.
Milford, 11 @ Stoughton, 1 – Final (5 Inn.) – Milford junior Sean McGee had a huge day at the plate with three hits and four RBI, leading the Scarlet Hawks to a big win on the road. McGee finished 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI double in the sixth that pushed Milford’s lead to double-digits. He was one of six Hawks with an RBI; senior Evan Cornelius and sophomore Nick Koch both had a double and two RBI, and Damien Carter (triple), Tony Fontes, and Brady Butler each had one RBI. Anthony LaPierre got the win for the visitors, allowing one run on three hits and a walk, striking out five in four innings while Mason Baldic tossed a scoreless inning in relief. Stoughton’s Hunter Malkin went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI for the Black Knights.
Canton, 0 @ Franklin, 7 – Final – Franklin took an early lead with three runs in the first three innings and then pulled away for good with a four-run sixth inning in a win over Canton. The Panthers had just seven hits, getting doubles from Henry Digiorgio (RBI), Tyler Bellan, and Luke Sidwell (run), and singles from Ryan Gerety (two RBI, two runs), Jase Lyons (two runs), Ben Jarosz (RBI), and Rex Cinelli (RBI). Austin Campbell dominated on the mound, allowing just one hit with six walks, striking out 13 in six innings of work. Dillon Cashin struck out a pair in a scoreless inning in relief.
Softball
Bishop Feehan, 3 @ Attleboro, 7 – Final
Sharon vs. Ursuline Academy – Postponed to TBD.
Boys Lacrosse
Sharon, 15 @ Attleboro, 4 – Final
Foxboro, 4 @ Mansfield, 13 – Final – Ryan DeGirolamo continued his strong season in the cage, making 22 saves and the Hornets pulled out an important division win. Aidan Steele led a strong defensive effort by Mansfield, holding Foxboro to just four goals. Tommy Smith sparked the offense for the hosts, with four goals and three assists. Andrew Burnham aded a hat trick and a pair of assists, Andrew DeGirolamo scored twice and assisted another, and Drew Sacco had two goals and two assists. Mansfield also got goals from Grady Sullivan and Cody Gordon, who set up two other scores.
Milford, 0 @ Franklin, 20 – Final
King Philip, 15 @ Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – King Philip and Oliver Ames were locked in a two-goal battle at halftime but the Warriors controlled the second half and pulled away from the win. Donovan DeVellis (two assists) and Noah Minkwitz paced the KP offense with four goals apiece while Hayden Schmitz had a game-high seven points with three goals and four helpers. Mason Thompson added two goals and one assist, Cullen McCarthy (two assists) and Justin Kosh each scored once, and both Tommy Kilroy (two assists) and Alex Viscusi (one assist) each recorded a helper. Ben Reardon led OA with three goals while Ryan Jaco had one goal and an assist. James Boldy had 12 saves and one assist for KP while Noah Isleib made 15 saves for the Tigers.
Taunton, 2 @ North Attleboro, 17 – Final – Taunton senior Colt Kennedy scored both of the goals for the Tigers while freshman goalie Oren Cullins came up with 17 saves.
Girls Lacrosse
Attleboro, 15 @ Sharon, 5 – Final – Attleboro’s Molly Moore, Amelia Collins, and Isabella Cavallini each scored a hat trick to lead the Bombardiers to a big win on the road at Sharon. Cavallini also had three assists to finish with a team-high six pints, Addison Papagolos added two goals and one helper, Jordan Mooney chipped in with four points (one goal, three assists), and Gabriela Sprovieri had one goal and two assists. Peyton McAuliffe made seven saves in net for the Bombardiers.
Canton, 16 @ Stoughton, 2 – Final – Canton had nine different players find the back in the net in their first matchup with neighboring Stoughton, recording a 16-2 win. Emily McCabe, Devan Spinale, and Kayleigh Koen led the charge with three goals apiece.
Mansfield, 6 @ Foxboro, 18 – Final – Foxboro celebrated senior night with a big win over rival Mansfield, including a monster performance from senior Paige Curran. Curran found the back of the net seven times and had two assists to lead the charge. Val Beigel and Mya Waryas each had three goals and three assists, Mary Collins added two goals, Cate Noone set the offense in motion with one goal and six assists, and both Addie Riley and Grace Riley scored once each. Audrey Campbell made three saves in net for the Warriors.
Franklin, 23 @ Milford, 3 – Final – Carly Haley scored a pair of goals and Emily Croteau added one for the Scarlet Hawks.
Oliver Ames, 1 @ King Philip, 19 – Final – Nicole MacDonald led the way for the Warriors with five goals and Alyssa Legere added four scores and an assist. Makenzie McDevitt had a hat trick and dished out a helper, while Lauren Obara found the back of the net for her first varsity goal. Catie Wilson had the lone goal for the Tigers.
North Attleboro, 17 @ Taunton, 7 – Final – For Taunton, Maddi Szala and Cali Melo each scored a pair of goals while Hailey Tanguay, Raquel Azevedo, and Talia O’Leary each scored once. Caroline Bizinha and Taryn Campbell also had an assist while Mel Jesus made 13 saves for the Tigers.
Boys Tennis
King Philip, 1 vs. Bishop Feehan, 4 – Final – Arjun Kollu was the lone winner for the host Warriors, emerging from a tightly-contested second singles match with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 win.
Sharon, 2 vs. Martha’s Vineyard, 3 – Final – Sharon put up a great fight against powerhouse Martha’s Vineyard with four matches going three sets but the Eagles ultimately fell just short, 3-2. Junior Alex Budovalcev rolled to a 6-1, 6-1 win at third singles for the Eagles, and the team of Joel Zwicker and Kevin Li added a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 win at second doubles. Sharon went to three sets in the other three matches, and fell by just two games in each of them.
Mansfield, 2 vs. Westwood, 3 – Final – Mansfield earned a pair of wins from singles action but it was Westwood that swept doubles and had one singles win to get the match. Neema Khosravani picked up a 6-1, 6-3 win at first singles and Iniyan Karruppusami added a 7-5, 6-3 win at third singles.
Girls Tennis
Milford, 1 @ Canton, 4 – Final – Canton took a pair of wins from both singles and doubles play to defend home court, 4-1, against visiting Milford. Camila Cutter dropped just two games total on her way to a 6-1, 6-1 win at first singles while Olivia Durham prevailed from a hard-fought battle at second singles with a 6-4, 7-5 win. The team of Grace Powers and Kelli Woodworth added a 6-3, 7-5 win at first doubles for the Bulldogs, and Panayiota Michaelidis and Liv McCloskey overcame a one-set deficit to secure a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win at second doubles. Milford’s Mallory Brickley rallied from a one-set deficit for a 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 win at third singles.
King Philip, 0 @ Bishop Feehan, 5 – Final
Sharon, 4 vs. Martha’s Vineyard, 1 – Final – Sharon secured one of its best wins of the season, taking down visiting Martha’s Vineyard with a 4-1 verdict. Navya Shukla was impressive in a 6-1, 6-0 victory at second singles and Ale Aguilar added a 7-6, 3-2 (default) win at third singles. The Eagles swept both doubles matches with Olivia Landstein and Sophia Oh taking a 6-2, 6-1 decision at first doubles and the team of Abby Vilk and Jenny Sand dominated in a 6-0, 6-0 sweep at second doubles.
Mansfield, 0 @ Westwood, 5 – Final
Boys Volleyball
King Philip, 3 @ Norton, 1 – Final
Taunton, 3 @ Brockton, 2 – Final – Taunton rallied to win two sets in a row to overcome a 2-1 deficit, taking a 3-2 (25-21, 18-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-11) win over host Brockton. Bradley Hylander was the heart of the Taunton defense with 24 digs and Ty Ekstrom set the offense in motion with 33 assists, adding five digs and two aces. Matt Freitas was the go-to option at the net with 21 kills, adding eight digs and four aces while Owen Kelley added 11 kills, 13 digs, and two ace, Erick Foster chipped in with 10 kills and three blocks, and Alvin Morisseau and Josh Duncan each finished with five kills apiece.
Baseball
Foxboro, 6 @ Attleboro, 7 – Final – Attleboro capped a big comeback with a walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun visiting Foxboro. After the teams traded runs in the first inning, the Warriors pushed across five runs in a big third inning to take command of the game. The Bombardiers responded with two runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to pull level, setting the stage for junior Brody McKenna’s single up the middle to bring the game-winning run home in the bottom of the seventh. Junior Andrew Gorman battled through a tough at bat to lead off with a walk, and pinch runner Jacob Bettencourt moved to second on a single from senior Cooper Johnson. McKenna sent the 1-1 pitch up the middle and Bettencourt raced around third and to home to win the game. Attleboro senior Owen Lombardo was the star of the game with a stellar relief appearance, taking over to start the third inning. He scattered four hits — a pair of singles in the third, a one-out double the fourth, and a two-out triple in the sixth — and didn’t walk a single batter, striking out two in five scoreless innings. Peter DelPozzo, Aiden Hochwarter, and Matt Harvie each added a hit and an RBI for the Bombariders. Foxboro’s Sean O’Leary had two hits and both Louis Carangelo and Mat Sullivan drove in a pair of runs.
Canton @ Franklin – Postponed
Sharon, 2 @ King Philip, 6 – Final – The Warriors did most of their damage offensively in the early innings and juniors Max Robison and TJ Ahern combined for a strong outing on the bump as King Philip took down visiting Sharon. The Eagles scored first after three consecutive singles from Palash Raina, Jake Loomis, and Liam Conway — the latter scoring the former. But the lead didn’t last long as KP scored three times in the bottom of the first and twice more in the bottom of the second to take control of the game. Brendan Sencaj had an RBI single to score Robison to get KP on the board, Matt Kelley (walk) scored on a wild pitch, and Rudy Gately brought a run home on a ground out. Walks to Tommy Martorano and Kelley set up Sencaj to reach on an error and bring both runs home to make it 5-1. Robison earned the win on the mound, allowing one run on three hits and two walks, striking out six in just three innings. Ahern came on and tossed four innings in relief, surrendering just one unearned run with no hits against, two walks, and two strikeouts. Conway pitched well in relief for the Eagles, giving up just one hit and four walks, allowing three runs (none earned) and three strikeouts in five innings.
Mansfield @ Milford – Postponed
Oliver Ames, 6 @ North Attleboro, 4 – Final – Oliver Ames picked up one of its best wins of the season, going on the road and returning home with a 6-4 verdict over North Attleboro; it marked the Tigers’ fourth win in the past five games. OA plated three runs in the third and never trailed from that point on, tacking on two insurance runs an inning later and one more in the sixth before escaping a seventh inning comeback bid from the Rocketeers. Harrison Fitzpatrick got things going for OA in the top of the third, smacking a two-out double to left. After Jack Morley walked, Patrick Finnerty had an RBI single to right and an error allowed Morley to score as well to make it 2-0. Sophomore Lucas Riley followed with a single to bring Finnerty home and extend the lead to 3-0. Matt Lawson and Fitzpatrick came through with RBIs in the fourth to make it 5-0 before North Attleboro answered with three runs in the bottom half. Nate Kelly reached on a two-out error, Gio Martello singled, and Chris Hanewich loaded the bases with a single. Ryan Bannon drew a walk to get one run home and an error allowed Ayden Delaney to reach and two more runs to come home to make it 5-3. Morley brought another run home with a bases loaded walk to give OA a key insurance run. Kelly had a one-out RBI single to score Derek Maceda to start North’s rally in the seventh, and Martello (error) and Hanewich (single) reached to load the bases. OA was able to get a pair of grounders to close it out and deny the comeback attempt. Riley earned the win for OA, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks, striking out four in four innings; Jake Willard was strong in relief as he gave up just one run on five hits and three walks with a pair of strikeouts in three innings.
Stoughton, 0 @ Taunton, 9 – Final – Taunton sophomore Johnny Escobalez, junior Brady Morin, and senior Brady Boucher combined for a shutout while allowing just two total hits and one walk in a win over visiting Stoughton. Escobalez earned the win, giving up just one hit (a two-out single in the fifth) and one walk (to lead off the third) while striking out eight in five innings to get the win. Morin and Boucher (three strikeouts) each tossed a scoreless inning in relief. The Tigers had a big second inning by scoring four runs, adding five runs over the fourth, fifth, and sixth to pull away for good. Brayden Cali had a pair of hits, an RBI, and a run scored from the leadoff spot while Xavier Spencer, Braden Sullivan, Dawson Bryce, Ryan Keenan, and Andrew Cali (two RBI) each drove in a run for Taunton.
Softball
Attleboro, 8 @ Foxboro, 3 – Final
Franklin, 19 @ Canton, 1 – Final (5 Inn.) – Franklin scored 12 times in the second inning to run away with a big win, ending a four-game losing streak and getting back to .500 in league play. Caroline Bruno had a big game for the Panthers, going 5-for-5 and scoring three runs. She also pitched three innings before Sophia Sacramone took over for the final two. Katy Liberman and Dana Stott had four hits apiece, Reece Allen, Avery Chalk, Hailey Fales, Carly Pellegri-Johnson, Ava Florest, and Sarah Boozang all had three hits. Josie Drucker, Marley Allen, and Kiera Kotwicki each had two hits in the win.
King Philip, 17 @ Sharon, 0 – Final (5 Inn.) – King Philip sophomore Liv Petrillo and freshman Ali Gill each had a home run and a double, combining for eight RBI to lead the Warriors on the road. Gill finished with three hits, three runs, and five RBI while Petrillo had two hits, three RBI, and three runs scored. Libby Walsh added three hits and two runs, Ava Kelley drove in three runs, Jo Bennett, Charlotte Griffin, and Liv Ali each had two RBI, and Sydney Burch recorded a pair of hits and scored a pair of runs. Bennett earned the win for KP, allowing two htis and three walks, striking out three in 3.2 innings. Manasa Josyula pitched four innings for Sharon, recording five strikeouts.
Milford, 7 @ Mansfield, 2 – Final – Maeve Driscoll went the distance, allowing four hits and one earned run and striking out 14 Hornets to earn Milford’s fourth win of the season. The Hawks jumped out to a 5-0 lead with single runs in the first, second, and fourth, and a pair in the third. Mansfield scored in the fourth and sixth innings to cut the lead to three, but the Hawks added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh to seal the victory. Cae Pellegrini stayed hot at the dish, going 3-for-4 with a walk, a homer, two runs scored, and two RBI. Camille Bonina also had two hits and scored once. Ava Baglione, Jianna Fernandes, Katelyn Kearnan, and Sarah Wengal each drove in a run for the Hawks. Callie Lake gave Mansfield a spark at the top of the order, scoring a pair of runs and hitting a solo homer. Avery Lake, Molly Crowley, and Molly Kucharski each had a hit for the Hornets.
Taunton, 10 @ Stoughton, 2 – Final – Taunton’s Molly Carnes, Bella Bourque, and Ava Venturelli each collected three hits and six different Tigers recorded an RBI in a win on the road at Stoughton. Both Carnes and Bourque went 3-for-4 at the dish with a pair of RBI while Venturelli drove in one run in the win. Hayley Krockta (one RBI), and Brooke Aldrich (three RBI) each added two hits in the win. Cate Larson pitched four innings with seven strikeouts and Sam Lincoln tossed three innings with seven strikeouts.
Boys Lacrosse
Canton, 7 vs. Bridgewater-Raynham, 8 – Final
Boys Tennis
Attleboro, 3 @ Foxboro, 2 – Final – Attleboro’s second doubles team of Noem Cook and Clay Tyler prevailed in a tiebreaker in the second set to clinch a straight set win and the match, 3-2, for the Bombardiers. Cook and Tyler rolled in the first set but fought off a stiff challenge in the second to get the 6-0, 7-6 (5) win. Luke Hinton and Brady Rosen added a 6-3, 6-3 win at first doubles for the Bombardiers and Tyler Rocchio emerged with a good win at second doubles, 7-5, 6-0. Foxboro’s Raj Jetty won 7-6 (5), 6-2 at first singles and Ryan Fossella dropped just two games on his way to a 6-2, 6-0 third singles victory for the Warriors.
Franklin, 1 @ Canton, 4 – Final – After dropping the first two matches of the season, Canton has won five straight matches including Wednesday’s 4-1 verdict over visiting Franklin. The Bulldogs swept singles action with Max Kupferman dropping just two total games in a 6-2, 6-0 win, Bharat Ramanathan taking a 6-1, 6-2 decision at second singles, and Justin Ngan earning a 6-3, 6-1 win at third singles. The doubles team of senior Drew Garrett and freshman Matt Wright took a 6-2, 6-3 win at second doubles. Franklin’s Eric Tomaino and Aaron Ramaswamy emerged from first doubles with a 6-3, 6-4 decision.
King Philip, 0 @ Sharon, 5 – Final – Senior Hyojae Park and sophomore Joel Zwicker emerged from a great battle at first doubles with a straight set win, completing a 5-0 match sweep for the host Eagles. Park and Zwicker finished with a 6-4, 7-5 win, and Sharon’s second doubles team of senior Mihir Basil and sophomore Samarth Bedre took a 6-2, 6-4 verdict. Sophomore Jacob Slavsky only lost one game in a 6-0, 6-1 win at first singes, Matthew Lally earned an impressive 6-1, 6-0 second singles win, and sophomore Sava Kassev prevailed 6-2, 6-1 at third singles.
Milford, 0 @ Mansfield, 5 – Final – Mansfield took all five matches in straight sets to fend off a challenge from visiting Milford. Sophomore Neema Khosravani rolled in the first set and never looked back in a 6-0, 6-3 first singles win, junior Nikhil Nain only dropped one game in a 6-1, 6-0 win at second singles, and senior Jesse Colchamiro also only lost one game on his way to a 6-1, 6-0 verdict at third singles. The team of sophomore Josh Weiner and freshman Justin Curtis picked up a 6-3, 6-1 win at first doubles, and the Hornets’ second doubles pairing of junior Jacob Weiner and freshman Kingston Carey rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 verdict.
North Attleboro, 2 @ Oliver Ames, 3 – Final – Oliver Ames secured a win over visiting North Attleboro by taking two singles matches and one doubles to get the 3-2 win. Alex Efremidis emerged from a tough challenge at second doubles with a 7-6 (5), 6-1 verdict while Patrick Dolan battled to a 7-5, 6-2 victory at third singles for the Tigers. The team of sophomore Nick Wagner and freshman Brendan Teehan grabbed a 6-2, 6-2 win at second doubles to help secure the match for the hosts. North Attleboro senior Brody Carter earned a hard-fought 7-5, 6-2 win at first singles and the team of senior Brody Gaulin and junior Carson Dameron dropped just two games in a 6-0, 6-2 win.
Taunton, 5 @ Stoughton, 0 – Final – Taunton went on the road and returned back home with a sweep of Stoughton. Mike Kimmer took a win at first singles, Martin Frankimet won at second singles, and Heitor Sens secured a 6-4, 6-0 win at third singles for the Tigers. The team of Collin Lofgren and Derek Desseault battled to a 6-2, 6-0 victory at first doubles, while Taunton’s second doubles pairing of Rowan Kimmer and Kenny Dias prevailed with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win.
Girls Tennis
Foxboro, 4 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final
Canton, 2 @ Franklin, 3 – Final – Franklin’s doubles teams continue their strong play, earning a sweep, and the Panthers got one more win in singles action to upend visiting Canton. Sophomores Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen continued their impressive campaign with a 6-0, 6-3 win at first doubles and the senior pairing of Shriya Rajesh and Lexy Masters secured a hard-fought 6-4, 6-3 win at second doubles. Junior Brooke Taylor only dropped two games on her way to a 6-0, 6-2 third singles victory. Canton’s Camila Cutter emerged with a 6-1, 6-3 win at first singles while Olivia Durham came out on top at second singles (6-3, 7-6 (2)) after a great battle at second singles.
Sharon, 5 @ King Philip, 0 – Final – Sharon passed a good midseason test by winning four of the five matches in straight sets, taking a 5-0 sweep over King Philip. Judy Song prevailed from a tight first singles match featuring two of the top players in the league with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Ahunna James. Navya Shukla added an impressive 6-1, 6-0 second singles win and Ale Aguilar completed the singles sweep right a 6-3, 4-6, 10-6 win in a hard fought match at third singles. Sharon’s Abby Vilk and Jenny Sand added a 6-2, 6-3 first doubles win, and the pairing of senior Sophia Oh and sophomore Olivia Landstein returned home with a 6-1, 6-2 win from second doubles.
Mansfield, 2 @ Milford, 3 – Final – Milford won three singles matches to earn its first league win of the season. Serena Borges (6-4, 6-0), Kaylee Whitney (6-4, 6-1), and Mallory Brickley (6-4, 6-2) sealed the victory for the Hawks. Mansfield won both doubles matches, with Jill Hanley and Savannah Carey taking their match 6-2, 6-0 at first doubles and Rachel Goldman and Caroline Guravage winning in three sets at second doubles.
Oliver Ames, 1 @ North Attleboro, 4 – Final – A battle between two of the best in the league lived up to its billing as North Attleboro junior Lauren Hunt and OA sophomore Hannah Farber had a three-hour marathon of a match at first singles with the former eventually prevailing in a super tiebreaker. Hunt continued her impressive season with a 6-7 (1), 6-2, 10-3 comeback win to cap North’s 4-1 win over the Tigers. Sophomore Megan Atwood added a 6-3, 6-1 win at second singles and senior Grace Noreck only dropped one game in each get for a 6-1, 6-1 win at third singles. The team of sophomores Liz Silva and Audrey Noreck emerged from a great match at first doubles with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 win. OA’s Marina Mierzwinski and Ella Mierzwinski prevailed 6-4, 7-5 in a close contest at second doubles.
Stoughton, 2 @ Taunton, 3 – Final– Taunton got wins at both doubles matches and one singles contest — all played by juniors — to edge out visiting Stoughton. Junior Morgan Smith had the lone singles win for the Tigers, taking a 6-3, 6-4 verdict at third singles, and Taunton also got wins from the first doubles team of Janelle Garcia and Courtney Martin (6-1, 6-1) as well as the second doubles team of Caroline Pietnik and Sam Parrett (6-2, 6-2). Stoughton’s Ally Lady only lost a pair of games in a 6-2, 6-0 first singles win, and senior Nadia Prokopiuk emerged from a back-and-forth battle at second singles with a 7-6 (3), 5-7, 10-7 win.
Boys Volleyball
Taunton, 1 vs. New Bedford, 3 – Final – Taunton opened with a win in the first set but New Bedford grabbed three straight tight sets to end up with the win, 3-1 (20-25, 28-26, 27-25, 27-25). Matt Freitas led the way offensive with a big 16-kill performance, adding nine digs and three aces while Erick Foster was strong at the net defensively with six blocks. Bradley Hylander anchored the defense with 11 digs, and both Ty Ekstrom and Daniel Freitas had 15 assists apiece.
Baseball
Attleboro, 11 @ Oliver Ames, 6 – Final – Attleboro scored all of its runs in the final three innings, including a seven-run outburst in the sixth inning, to complete a comeback win on the road at Frothingham Park. The Tigers built their lead in the early innings as Jack Perron and Nick Ferrini scored in the second inning, Ian Kelly drove in Jack Morley (three hits) with an RBI single in the third, and Thomas Whiteside came home to score in the fourth for a 4-1 lead. Aiden Hochwarter’s second RBI of the game cut the deficit to two and Casey Victorio drew a bases loaded walk to get the visitors within a run after five innings. In the top of the sixth, Brody McKenna roped an RBI single to right to tie the game, Jackson Huntington continued his strong week with a two-run double, Matt Harvie singled in another Attleboro run, Danny Johnson brought in a run with a bases loaded walk, Harvie scored on a wild pitch, and Victorio scored when Cooper Johnson grounded into a fielder’s choice to push Attleboro’s lead to 10-4. Harvie scored Hochwarter (triple) in the top of the sixth to get Attleboro’s 11th. Patrick Finnerty had an RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh and scored on an RBI from Kelly, but the Tigers couldn’t cut into the deficit any further. Owen Lombardo and Ryan Landry each pitched a scoreless inning in relief for Attleboro with the latter earning the win.
Softball
Oliver Ames, 0 @ Attleboro, 1 – Final – Attleboro managed just one hit but it was enough as Lily Routhier tossed a complete game shutout and the Bombardiers held on against OA. The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the first inning as Sarah Maher reached on an error to lead off the inning. After stealing second, Maher took third after a fly ball was caught in right field. Routhier grounded out to second but it was enough to bring Maher home to make it 1-0. Routhier scattered five hits and one walk over seven scoreless innings, striking out six, and had just one runner reach third, but she induced a grounder back to the circle for the final out in the fifth inning. Katie Melendy pitched well for OA, giving up just the one hit and three walks, one unearned run, and struck out a pair.
Boys Lacrosse
Attleboro, 23 vs. Norton, 0 – Final
Foxboro, 5 vs. Cohasset, 14 – Final
Oliver Ames, 10 vs. Middleboro, 0 – Final – Behind a strong defensive performance, Oliver Ames pitched a shutout of visiting Middleboro. Noah Isleib made eight saves in net to earn the shutout while Jack Corey, Landon Grothe, Liam Dunlap, Lawrence Dear, and Bryce Deibel all played well defensively for the Tigers. Sophomore Shaun Teehan paced the offense with four goals while Ben Reardon and Ryan Jaco each scored twice in the win. Victor Romeiro and Grothe each added one goal for OA.
Girls Lacrosse
Attleboro, 18 @ Norton, 5 – Final
Foxboro, 9 @ Cohasset, 8 – Final (OT) – Foxboro’s Val Beigel capped a big performance with the game-winning goal with just under two minutes left in overtime to hand the Warriors a key early season win over perennial state power Cohasset. The Warriors had to climb out of an early 3-0 hole, cutting the deficit down to just one goal (4-3) at halftime. The Skippers stayed ahead for most of the second half but Foxboro continually came back to pull even. After the Warriors hit the post with just over a minute left, Cohasset did the same at the buzzer of regulation. In the extra period, Beigel cut in front of goal, took a nice pass and deposited her fifth goal of the game to give Foxboro the win. Paige Curran finished with two goals and two assists, Mary Collins (assist) and Addie Riley reach scored once, and Mya Waryas notched one helper. Sophomore Audrey Campbell made six saves in the win.
Milford, 10 vs. Norwood, 17 – Final – Milford rallied from an early five-goal deficit to get within one but the Hawks couldn’t get any closer in a non-league loss to Norwood. The Mustangs’ 5-0 lead dwindled to 8-7 but a quick three-goal spurt gave the visitors an 11-7 edge at halftime. Emily Croteau crossed the 100-point threshold with five goals and an assist to pace the Hawks’ offense. Carly Haley added two goals and three assists, TJ Downing scored twice, and Erin Michelson chipped in with a goal and an assist. Alexa Landry, Jordan Douglas, and Caitlyn Banger each had an assist for Milford.
Oliver Ames @ Middleboro – Postponed to TBD.
Boys Tennis
Oliver Ames, 3 @ Attleboro, 2 – Final – Behind a sweep of singles action, Oliver Ames returned home with a close win over Attleboro. Nick Westerbeke overcome a one-set deficit to win two straight, clinching the victory with an 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 win at first singles. Alex Efremidas added a 6-0, 6-2 win at second singles and Patrick Dolan secured a 6-3, 6-1 verdict at third singles for OA. Attleboro’s Luke Hinton and Brady Rosen notched a 6-0, 6-4 win at first doubles while the team of Clay Tyler and Noem Cook continued to play well with a hard-fought 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 win at second doubles.
Girls Tennis
Attleboro, 1 @ Oliver Ames, 4 – Final – Oliver Ames notched its second straight win and fourth overall on the season, taking down a shorthanded Attleboro squad at home. Hannah Farber continued her strong start to the year with a 6-2, 6-2 win at first singles, Olivia Querzoli took a 6-1, 6-1 decision at second singles, and Stella Zacho emerged from her third singles match with a 7-5, 6-2 win. The Tigers added one more win from doubles action as Marina Mierzwinski and Ella Mierzwinski secured a 6-4, 6-1 win at first doubles. Attleboro’s Caroline Lynch-Bartek and Jenny Morin made their varsity debuts with a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win at second doubles.
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.”
