Nelson, Norton dominant again
Even for star Norton pitcher Kelly Nelson, this week exceeded expectations.
The junior hurler and Holy Cross commit tossed a one-hitter Monday and a no-hitter Tuesday, while racking up 20 strikeouts in each contest. At Tri-Valley League rival Hopkinton yesterday, Nelson continued her dominance by throwing another one-hitter and fanning 16 in an 11-0 win.
“It’s amazing,” Nelson said. “Four games in a week, I pitched three of them, it’s always a grind, but you just have to make the best of it.”
Nelson was locked in from the start against the only team that has handed her a loss this season. She began her outing in spectacular fashion, striking out the first six batters she faced on just 22 pitches.
With pinpoint accuracy and a blazing fastball, Nelson struck out the side on four different occasions and retired the first 18 Hopkinton (11-2) batters.
“I came out of an AP test today — three-hour test — I was so ready to not think anymore and just play,” said Nelson on her fast start.
Nelson’s perfect game slipped away when Kaitlyn Holly safely bunted for a single to start the seventh, before Nelson issued a walk. But she struck out the final three batters she faced.
“What you see her doing is absolutely amazing,” said Norton coach Wade Lizotte. “But how she does it is more amazing to me. She comes to work every day. She’s the ultimate teammate. She works so hard. It’s just so well deserved.”
Norton (14-1) gave Nelson plenty of support by belting out 12 hits. The Lancers scored twice in the top of the first and added at least one run in each inning besides the fifth.
Nicole Grainger (two RBI), Olivia Pietersen and Olivia Menyo all went 2-for-4.
In nonleague action, Mia Nowicki struck out 16 as St. Mary’s (131) blanked Westford Academy, 2-0.
Meg Marcel blasted a pair of home runs to lift Archbishop Williams (9-4) to a 9-7 win over Matignon in the Catholic Central League.
Baseball
Jacob Ashworth struck out seven while going 3-for-4 with a RBI double as Bourne (12-4) took down Greater New Bedford Voke, 9-3, in a South Coast Conference tilt.
Girls lacrosse
Maggie Pons, Cecily Wheeler and Mary Rose Kearney each had hat tricks as Newburyport (13-0) won a battle of Cape Ann League unbeatens, 11-8 over Ipswich (11-1).
Boys lacrosse
BC High (10-3) scored eight unanswered goals in the first quarter en route to beating Xaverian, 13-5, to hand the Hawks their first Catholic Conference loss of the season.
Pat Jennings had five goals and an assist and Patrick Bulger had five goals and two assists as the Eagles earned their first win on the Westwood campus in five years. Trevor Carroll had three goals for Xaverian (6-8).
Boys hockey
Louis Finocchiaro stepped down as boys hockey coach at Austin Prep. Finocchiaro compiled a 20375-50 record in 14 seasons with the Cougars, reaching the Super Eight tournament eight times with a pair of finals berths in 2013 and ’14.
Basketball
Braintree is seeking a new girls basketball coach after the highly successfully Kristen McDonnell stepped down due to parental pressures. Interested candidates should send cover letter, resume and three letters of reference to: Braintree High School, c/o Michael Denise, athletic director, 128 Town Street, Braintree, MA 02184 or mdenise@braintreema.gov. The application deadline is May 17. On the boys side, Central Catholic is looking for a new coach to replace Rick Nault, who submitting his resignation after being placed on administrative leave for sending inappropriate messages to a former student. Interested applicants should contact athletic director Ernie DiFiore at edifiore@centralcatholic.net or 978-682-0260 x640.