Nowicki, St. Mary’s shut out Westford Academy

LYNN – TheSt. Mary?s softball team ended its regular season on a high note, defeating Westford Academy, 6-0, at Grace Rogato Field Friday.
Spartans pitcher Mia Nowicki didn?t allow a hit until two outs in the fourth, one of only four hits she allowed in the game. She finished with 14 strikeouts.
Katie Terban got the offense started for St. Mary?s in the bottom of the first, reaching on a single. Cassi LaFauci singled, Molly Doyle drew a walk to load the bases, and the Spartans scored their first run when Vanessa Van Buskirk was hit by a pitch. A hard-hit ball back to the pitcher was turned into a double play to end the inning. A two-on, one-out rally in the bottom of the second was also killed by a double play.
?We ran ourselves into some outs early,” said Spartans coach Colleen Newbury. “We hit the ball hard, but right at someone at just the right time.”
The Spartans grabbed two more runs in the third as Terban led off with a single and LaFauci bunted. An error allowed Terban to score as LaFauci scooted to third. Doyle?s single plated another run.
The Spartans opened things up with three runs in the fifth. Doyle, who reached base four times with three hits and a walk, led off with a double. She moved to third on Jessica Martinello?s single, and both were driven in on Katarina Roy?s double. Roy would also come around to score on Michaela Hamill?s single.
Nowicki got into a little bit of trouble in the seventh, as two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Westford. A pop-up to second got Nowicki out of the jam and preserved the shutout.
?We hit the ball a lot better than we have been,” Newbury said. “(Nowicki) pitched well, and we played good team defense, making the plays behind her, although she didn?t give the defense many chances to make plays.”
Newbury also acknowledged sophomore catcher Emily Stephenson?s play behind the plate.
?I can?t say enough about how (Stephenson) has played,” Newbury said.
The Spartans wrapped up their regular season with a 16-4 record, and will find out who their opponent will be in the first round of the playoffs on Monday when the MIAA seedings are released.
?I?m proud of the girls,” Newbury said. “You don?t know what to expect heading into a season. You never know who will be hurt or who will flourish and emerge. Every year is different.”
As the tournament draws near, Newbury and company are staying focused and practicing hard.
?We?re working on some things,” said Newbury. “This last week we?ve really been working on playing team defense. If we play defense, we have a better chance of winning, especially against tougher pitchers.”
Katie Morrison may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KatieMo61.