Bulldogs sweep Novans
WOONSOCKET — Visiting Westerly paid the winless Woonsocket softball team a huge compliment Friday afternoon, but that made it a long afternoon for the Novans at Cass Park.
Just a few days after the Novans nearly shocked the Bulldogs down at Cimalore Field, Westerly coach Chris Luppe wasn’t taking any chances. Instead of pitching his No. 2 pitcher again, Luppe started ace Elena Murdock, who struck out seven batters in four innings of work.
Woonsocket pitcher Leah Rivers pitched well in four of five innings, but the Bulldogs scored eight runs in the fourth inning to break open a close game on their way to a 12-2 five-inning victory.
“We’re getting better and we’re making a lot more plays,” Woonsocket Dan Belisle said. “After we went around the order the first time we swung the bat a lot better. The outfield play has come a long way with some of those young girls who haven’t played any varsity softball.”
Woonsocket (0-9 Division II) finally solved Murdock in her final inning of work with the Bulldogs up 11-0. Dakota Owen led off the inning with a single and
the Aje’ana Coleman walked following an Owen steal. Owen scored when Julia Raymond singled. Coleman scored later in the inning, but the Novans stranded Raymond at third and Brianlys Simono at second.
Westerly (6-2 Division II) received a pair of two-run doubles from Lily Vetelino, including a two-run double in the first inning to give the road side a lead they would never relinquish. Emma Caracciolo added two hits, including a two-run double in the fourth. Alex Stoehr and Murdock added two hits apiece.
Life doesn’t get any easier for the Novans because they begin a two-game set with Toll Gate next week. The Titans are fresh off of a sweep of Mount St. Charles. Belisle saw the game in Woonsocket and was impressed with the havoc the Titans cause on the bases.
“Their pitcher is not overpowering, but they are aggressive on the basepaths, so we need to be prepared for them to run the bases,” Belisle said. “They run some trick plays where they’re running on the throw back to the pitcher and they’re double stealing in first-and-third situations. We have to play good defense and be on our toes.”
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WARRIORS SWEEP CENTRAL
PROVIDENCE — Central began the week as the favorite to win the Division IV title, but the Knights ran into a hot Central
Falls squad and now the race is wide open.
After a come-from-behind win earlier in the week, the Warriors went to Providence and secured a 16-10 win thanks to a two-run home run to center field by Alexsya Torres. Central’s Lesli Simon also hit a two-run homer in a losing cause.
Central Falls (3-4 Division IV) snapped a four-game losing streak with the sweep of the Knights. The Warriors are back in Providence on Tuesday afternoon when they travel to Mount Pleasant for a 4:15 p.m. contest.