Six-run second the difference for the Warriors
MEGHAN BURNETT, a junior, had a hit and scored a run in Wakefield’s 9-5 victory over Belmont yesterday at Belmont High School. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
Published in the May 5, 2017 edition.
By DAN MARGARITA
BELMONT — The Wakefield Memorial High softball team went on the road to Belmont yesterday and was able to bring home a 9-5 victory against the Marauders at Belmont High School.
“The story of today’s game was Vanessa Kaddaras,” praised Wakefield coach Rick “Coach Q.” Quattrocchi.
“It’s my 24th year of coaching high school softball and I’ve never seen a better defensive effort than what Vanessa displayed today. She had nine chances at third base and none of them were easy. She was absolutely flawless and she was great at the end. There two outs with a runner on second in the bottom of the seventh. A girl hits an absolute bullet, a line drive and Vanessa just sticks her glove up and it was poignant that she made the last out. (It was) The finest defensive effort I’ve ever seen,” Coach Q continued.
The team found itself in a 4-0 hole in the first inning, but came roaring back with six runs in the second inning to take the lead.
Marissa Patti got her first start of the season and rewarded the coach’s faith in her with a three-run home run, the first home run of her career.
“We had that six run inning and Marissa’s home run was the key,” said Coach Q. “Marissa’s been coming on in practice and in games. She’s been hitting the ball well in practice. She pinch-it the other day and had a big double. I told her, “You’re Tom Brady. You’ve just got to wait for your chance. She hit a bomb,” said the coach.
Meghan Burnett had a hit and a run scored, while pitcher Julia Purcell scored a run.
Alexis Truesdale had two hits, scored a run, and drove in two runs.
Kaddaras, in addition to her fine defense at the hot corner, had two hits, scored a run, and three RBIs.
Emma Hickey had two hits and scored two runs, while Meagan Gibbons had two hits and crossed the plate once.
Nicole Catino carved out three hits and scored a run as the hitting was spread out through the Warrior lineup. Wakefield had 13 hits total as a team.
The Warriors are now 5-4 on the season and won’t play again until Monday when they travel to Woburn to take on the Tanners at 3:45 p.m. at Library Park. Wakefield’s makeup against Billerica, which was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at Billerica High School, has already been postponed due to the forecast of heavy rain today. That game will be made up on Tuesday, May 16 at 4 p.m. at Lampson Field.
