Playoffs Come to an End for Softball, Baseball Teams

– Allison Goldsberry

Despite the home field advantage and cheering crowds, the Mustang softball and baseball teams found themselves on the losing end of their state tournament games against Westford Academy on Saturday.

The Medford Lady Mustangs’ softball season came to an end as Westford Academy’s pitcher Kate Breslin shut the door on the home team, allowing just three hits and striking out twelve in leading the Grey Ghosts to a 6-2 victory at Tufts Park.

The Medford nine scored first in the bottom of the first inning as junior Kristina Bove reached first base on a catcher interference call followed by a bunt single by junior Kasey Moran. Bove scored on a fielder’s choice by junior Victoria Luongo. Westford Academy bounced back by scoring three in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead before Medford freshman Christina Lynch slammed a home run well over the center fielder’s head to bring Medford within one run. Westford Academy increased its lead to 6-2 by scoring two runs in the sixth and adding an insurance run in the seventh to defeat the home team.

Bove pitched well for the Lady Mustangs, giving up nine hits in a complete game performance while Moran, Lynch, and sophomore Jackie Pellecchia banged out the hits for Medford, said Head Coach Jack Dempsey.

Medford completed the season with a 10 and 9 record. Senior captain Nicole Lopilato, SS and juniors Moran, 2B and Bove, P/OF were named Greater Boston League All-Stars.

The Medford varsity baseball team also lost to Westford Academy on Saturday. Despite overcoming a 1-0 deficit in the fifth and adding two runs in the sixth, the Mustangs could not hold onto their 3-1 lead. An ill-timed downpour did not help the situation and Medford ending up losing, 7-3.

“We made too many mistakes and good teams capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes. The turning point in the game took place when Westford Academy put in their stopper, TJ Jann (heading to Penn State next year). Jann was impressive as he commanded a dominating fastball and we were unable to scratch any runs off of him during the latter part of the game. We attempted to manufacture some runs in the eighth inning with the score tied at three, but we were unable to come up with the big hit with the bases loaded. Two out hits and hits with runners in scoring position contribute to winning ball games, we did not hit the ball very well on Saturday,” said Head Coach Nick Tucci.

It was no doubt a very tough loss for the Mustangs, but the team has much to be proud of for their performance this season.

“The 16 young men on this roster should be very proud of their accomplishments this season. By accumulating a record of 16-4 in the regular season, they put Mustang baseball back on the map. They earned themselves the opportunity to play in front of their home crowd in a fun baseball atmosphere. The team left it all between the white lines this year, and that’s all I can expect of them. Their blood, sweat, and tears from the hard work that they went through during the year paid off in dividends. I told the seniors after the game that when we raise a championship banner up to the rafters in Cooper Gymnasium one day, they will know that they were a big part of that process. They set the bar high for future Mustangs,” said Coach Tucci.

The Mustangs finished the season 16-4. Junior Danny Gilchrist, INF/P, junior Chris Salvati, P, senior Kyle Heath, OF/1B, and senior Greg Wilson, SS/P were named GBL All-Stars.