Published June 7, 2019
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High softball team finished their season in a winning fashion by securing two victories over Malden and Wilmington last week.
They started their winning streak with a 22-2 slaughter of Malden on May 29 at Callahan Park in Malden. Senior captain Jill Stone took the win on the mound and Clara Martin pitched solid in relief.
It was a giant offensive effort, thanks to the work of Colette Skinner, Grace Solomon and Sofia Centrella, who all had huge games at the plate. A massive deep ball from designated hitter Briana Stanton that turned into a key triple also helped set the mood in the early innings.
Just a day later, Melrose hosted Wilmington at Pine Banks Park and prevailed in a much more competitive 9-8 contest. Stone once again took the win on the mound.
THE MELROSE High softball team finished their season with back-to-back wins over Malden and Wilmington. (Steve Karampalas photo)
“We played great at the plate, highlighting a weakness in their small ball coverage and then opening it up to some nice hits in the gap,” says Melrose coach Kelly O’Neill.
It was the third time Melrose faced the Wildcats this season, and in each meeting Melrose fell shy, 1-0. Thus, it was important for Melrose bats to come around to support Stone on the mound. Standouts behind the plate on Thursday included Victoria Ackerman and Becca Dumont.
Coach O’Neill commented on their win. “This game felt great. It was a complete team effort,” she said. “We challenged them three times this season but today we ran bases and shifted postions strategically. Jill left it all on the mound.”
Of all their wins, the coach feels the Wildcats victory was the most rewarding. “Most of our games were very exciting,” she explains. “Many were determined in the last inning. But this last game against Wilmington truly showed how much heart these girls have for the game. They played so well.”
Finishing up her first year as coach, O’Neill is happy with the team’s progression from the start of the season to its finish. “The team is a complete different team now. They have learned so much. We struggled defensively at first and now we have things figured out and our defense is unstoppable. We will continue to work on our bats, and hitting for contact, not just for the fences, in the off season.”
Melrose graduates three seniors, their captain Jill Stone, Collette Skinner and Olivia Conlon. They are a trio that O’Neill considers hard to replace. “As a coach, I truly couldn´t have asked for a better group of seniors. They gave it their all on and off the field. They were the first ones at the park and the last ones to leave. They are a great group and destined for greatness. I wish Jill and Colette good luck at Salem and Olivia good luck at Saint Leoś.”
With a good core returning next season (11 players) look for Melrose to build on the momentum they established this season. “I think we will have more set positions and know where we need to focus from game one,” says O’Neill, who also notes good talent coming through junior varsity team.
She’s particularly proud of her senior captain Jill Stone for earning All Conference All Star honors, placing her among the best in both the Middlesex Freedom and Liberty divisions, and her league All Stars include Colette Skinner, Grace Solomon and Becca Dumont.
