It’s a wrap for 2017 spring squad
Published in the May 26, 2017 edition
MELROSE SENIOR captains (from left) Rachel Pfeiffer, Josephine Andruskiewicz and Victoria Crovo (pictured with coach Steve Wall) were honored on Senior Day on Tuesday. (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ softball team finished their season on Tuesday, May 23 in a 7-5 loss to a very tough Boston Latin (17-2) Dragon team at Pine Banks Park, ending Melrose’s season at 8-12. The Dragon’s heavy bats spoiled Melrose’s day, as their sophomore catcher Shanty Pimental nearly hit for the cycle with a single, a double, a triple, and four RBIs to lead Boston Latin (17-2).
On the mound, Melrose senior captain Josephine Andruskiewicz squared off against Sydney Geary, who retired several Red Raider batters. The Dragons took an early 2-0 lead after a first inning triple, walk and single. Melrose catcher Sam Farrell threw out a base runner on a steal to second with an impressive throw, and a fly out ended the inning. Geary retired the side in the bottom of the first and the Dragons went scoreless in the second. Boston Latin made it a 3-0 game at the top of the third by hitting an RBI triple.
Melrose made it a game at the bottom of the third. Melrose’s Rebecca Dumont drew a walk and Josephine Andruskiewicz hit a single that put two on the bases. Victoria Crovo hit an RBI single to score Dumont. Saoirse Connolly drew a walk to load the bases and Sam Farrell knocked in two runs to score Andruskiewicz and Crovo to tie things up, 3-3.
Melrose defense secured two outs in the fourth before a Dragon single to right scored a run to make it a 4-3 game.The Lady Raiders were relentless in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game up once again. Rebecca Dumont hit a single to left and Rachel DiFraia beat out a slow roller in the infield that was misplayed and it advanced Dumont to third. A sac fly by Andruskiewicz scored Dumont, who slid under the tag of the Dragon catcher to tie it up 4-4. Boston Latin took a larger lead of 7-4 in the fifth with a number of hits to the outfield and Geary retired the side in the bottom of the fifth.
Melrose hurler Jill Stone pitched in relief for the next to innings and was helped in the infield by Dumont, who made a double play catch on a line drive. In the bottom of the sixth Melrose threatened as freshman Ella Ruby hit a single and Collette Skinner hit a double to right that put two batters on. Rachel DiFraia scored Ella Ruby on a single before strikeouts ended the inning. Stone retired the side in the top of the seventh, aided by a great defensive play at short by Victoria Crovo, but Melrose bats fell silent in the bottom of the seventh, resulting in their 7-5 loss.
Though the loss was disappointing, Melrose coach Steve Wall commended his seniors – Victoria Crovo, Rachel Pfeiffer and Josephine Andruskiewicz – for their performances. “All three had hits in their last games, and played as well as we could have hoped, on the field and at bat. I’m proud to have seen them do well in their last game. They are the top of my lineup and will be hard to replace.”
