The spring sports season didn’t disappoint. From perfect games to perfect memories, and everything in between, I, for one, have some favorite moments.
Starting with softball, Peabody must be teaching something special when it comes to pitching. Between Abby Bettencourt of the Tanners and Bishop Fenwick’s Jaleila “GiGi” Aupont, frustrated batters were aplenty the past few months.
Early in the season, Bettencourt pitched a perfect game against Swampscott with 15 punchouts. An impressive feat in itself, but reaching back even further, everyone she faced struck out.
Aupont pitched a near-perfect game against Salem Academy, throwing a 14-strikeout no-hitter. It was only a walk that ruined her perfect game.
Back to the Bettencourts. I remember when all three sisters (Abby, Bo, Lizzy) hit homers against Fenwick.
“This is something we will reminisce about in the future,” Abby said.
Next, lacrosse.
What a season it was for the Marblehead boys (21-1), who finished the season with a Final Four berth in Division 2.
Of all the wins, one that sticks out to me was the 16-8 final against Milton to send the Magicians to the Elite 8. Cronin snatched his 112th point of the season to set a school record.
Man, what a season it was for the Northeastern Conference Player of the Year.
Vets showed out for Swampscott girls lacrosse. Beating Saugus 19-4 on Senior Night, the Big Blue scored 14 first-half goals – six scored by the three seniors in Brooke Waters, Abby Eichler, and Lilly Johnson.
Better yet, the 14th goal (Waters) came from the three seniors passing between themselves.
Head Coach Al Eaton couldn’t have been happier, adding his seniors were “leaders” who “created a good environment.”
For baseball, it has to be Lynn Tech making the postseason in the final game of the regular season. The Tigers went down 1-0 early in the first inning, but their species doesn’t get fazed easily.
Fourteen stolen bases later, it was a done deal. Dylan DiFilippo was on the mound, going an impressive 6 1/3 innings while tossing 12 strikeouts.
Speaking of those broken records, Michigan-bound Nathan Lopez of St. John’s Prep broke a 48-year-old state record in the 2-mile race with a time of 8:59.29.
I recommend watching the video on Twitter, by the way.
Cate Trautman, Le-Daisha Williams, Ava Machado, and Sadie Halpern of Marblehead ran the 4×100 relay at the Division 3 State Championships. Gold aside, the girls also broke a school record (49.85) by two whole seconds.
From individual standouts to full-team efforts, chalk this spring up as a win.
