Warriors blast Watertown 13-0 in clincher

THE WMHS softball team qualified for the state tournament with a 13-0 victory over Watertown yesterday afternoon at Vets’ Field. The Warriors have a 10-3 overall record on the season.  (Donna Larsson File Photo)

THE WMHS softball team qualified for the state tournament with a 13-0 victory over Watertown yesterday afternoon at Vets’ Field. The Warriors have a 10-3 overall record on the season.
(Donna Larsson File Photo)

By DAN MARGARITA

WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Memorial High softball team qualified for postseason play yesterday afternoon with a 13-0 thrashing of Watertown at Vets’ Field that ended after five innings due to the “mercy rule.”

“I’m very proud of the team today. They kept their focus and did a great job,” said Wakefield coach Rick “Coach Q.” Quattrocchi.

Wakefield struck for seven runs during its first at bat and never looked back.

Meghan Burnett led off and was hit by a pitch from Watertown starter Maria Santalucia. Olivia Dziadyk followed with a single to left and Amanda Boulter dropped a single behind second to load the bases. Alexi Truesdale was hit by a pitch to force in Burnett to give Wakefield a 1-0 lead.

Nicole Gasdia reached on a fielder’s choice that saw Dziadyk out at home. Hannah Dziadyk singled to right to bring in Boulter and Truesdale to make it 3-0. With runners at the corners, Dziadyk took second without a throw (defensive indifference) and then Hayley Kaddaras walked to load the bases. After a pop up to the pitcher, a wild pitch scored Gasdia and advanced Kaddaras and Dziadyk. Nicole Catino walked to reload the bases. Another wild pitch score Dziadyk and then Meghan Burnett reached on an error that allowed  Kaddaras and Catino to score to give Wakefield 7-0 lead at the end of the inning.

The home team picked up two more runs in the second inning.  Boulter dropped a single over shortstop to lead off and then stole second. After a fly out to left, Boulter took third on a wild pitch. Gasdia then slammed a home run to right-center field to make it 9-0. Dziadyk was hit by a pitch and Kaddaras reached on a single but an infield pop up and a ground out to the mound ended the inning.

Watertown sent a new pitcher to the mound for the third inning but Mackenzie Hand didn’t fare much better against Wakefield.

Burnett drew a leadoff walk and then Olivia Dziadyk singled to right before taking second without a throw (defensive indifference). Boulter then slammed a home run to right to give Wakefield a 12-0 lead.

Quattrocchi pointed out the vast number of underclassmen on the field in the final innings and said, “You’re not supposed to win with that kind of youth. That’s a rebuilding couple of years and we’re doing it.”

Truesdale reached on an error and Gasdia followed with a single to left. Hannah Dziadyk singled in Truesdale with Wakefield’s 13th and final run.

Wakefield starter Truesdale held Watertown to just one hit with Wakefield sporting a 12 plus run lead after five complete innings, Wakefield secured the mercy rule win.

“It was Lexi’s second start and her first one was OK. This one here, she did a great job. That’s going to help her confidence (and) at the plate, I think she leads the team in RBIs,” said Quattrocchi.

“I want to thank my two coaches who have been with me all year — Kevin Barry and Stephanie Martin,” added Quattrocchi. “At the JV level Lisa Silva and Charlie Rollins, they only have one loss. My freshman program has only two losses, so in the whole program we have six losses and that’s outstanding.”

The varsity team is now 10-3 overall on the season. Wakefield hosts Stoneham on Friday night at 6 p.m. at Vets’ Field.