It’s a sister act at D-R
Trio of siblings headlined by Lucy and Edy Latour
The Dighton-Rehoboth girls’ softball team is tight-knit. Understandable, since there are three sets of sisters on the roster.
Two, though, Lucy and Edy Latour, are playing together on a team for the first time.
The other siblings are Caleigh (senior outfielder) and Camryn Cloonan (sophomore infielder), along with the Pacheco twins, Giselle and Olivia, both senior outfielders.
Lucy Latour, 17, is a returning Globe AllScholastic selection in the outfield. And Edy, a 14-year-old freshman, is quickly emerging as a pitcher of promise.
Ranked seventh in this week’s Globe Top 20, Dighton-Rehoboth (3-0) has retooled after last year’s 18-5 finish that ended in the Division 3 quarterfinals against Triton Regional.
As a freshman, Lucy Latour was on the D-R squad that advanced to the state final against Tyngsborough.
“Being able to compete in the state championship my freshman year gave me a taste of what this team could accomplish,” she said. “I’m hoping that we can go even farther.”
The motto this season, per fourth-year coach Katie Holmes: “Stay humble, stay hungry.”
“We know that we are a talented group,” said Holmes, in her fourth season. “But we can’t take anything for granted. Nothing’s ever going to come easy.”
Holmes knows it would mean a lot to her team, especially her eight seniors, to get back to the final.
“If we could achieve one thing, it would definitely be making it back to that game,” she said.
The elder Latour, who will play at Worcester Polytechnic Institute next year, has been a mainstay since freshman year.
“People never know what they’re going to get when she’s up to bat,” Holmes said of her team captain, who was 4 for 5 with a double and triple in Monday’s 10-1 win over Middleborough. “To have that in the lineup is great.”
In her varsity debut against No. 9 Silver Lake, Edy Latour fired a no-hitter in a 1-0 win, striking out seven. On Monday, she allowed one earned run, fanned seven, and homered in a 3-for-4 performance.
Edy admitted she was nervous for the opener, but after she recorded a hit in her first at bat, it faded.
“That got me excited,” Edy said. “I had my team backing me up. That was a really good game for me to start the season.”
Holmes couldn’t have asked for more from the freshman. After throwing 104 pitches against the Lakers, she still felt she could improve.
“I probably should’ve thrown less [pitches],” Edy told Holmes after the game.
“I was like, ‘Girl, you came in as a freshman and threw a no-hitter in your first game,’ ” Holmes. “I’m not even talking about that.”
The Latour sisters are cut from the same cloth. They both have a mature approach at a young age.
“They’re both very humble,” Holmes said. “They’re always looking to get better and improve their game.”
While their on-field success has a common thread — work ethic — they have different demeanors.
Lucy, for the most part, keeps to herself. Edy, on the other hand, has a lively personality, cheering on her teammates any chance she gets.
“I’m not the most outgoing,” said Lucy, while nodding to Edy with a laugh. “Edy is the total opposite. When I was a freshman, I was so quiet, and she came in and was immediately so outgoing.”
At the end of the day, they’re sisters who love and support each other.
“[Lucy’s] going to make sure she goes up to [Edy] after an at-bat or after an inning to check in on her,” Holmes said. “On the flip side, Edy is super loud and cheers on Lucy all the time.”
It’s their first and last time playing together as the age difference always slotted them on different club teams. It’s a time they both will never forget.
“It makes [this season] even more special,” Lucy said. “It’s a really good way to end my high school career.”
Extra bases
R Methuen senior Thyanais Santiago tore an anterior cruciate ligament before the basketball season, ending her final softball season before it started. One of the top hitters in the region, Santiago won’t have a chance to play with her Ranger teammates before heading off to UMass Lowell.
Yet Santiago was voted a captain, a testament to her leadership for No. 16 Methuen.
Even after graduating Merrimack Valley Conference MVP Brooke Tardugno, the Rangers still have lofty expectations. Kiele Coleman, who is committed to Merrimack, has shifted to shortstop from second base and New England College-bound Mackenzie Yirrell returns to the circle.
“[Yirrell] is our go-to and has a lot of experience, especially in big games in the tournament the past couple of years,” said Methuen coach Jason Smith, an anatomy and physiology teacher.
Fellow seniors Ari Baez (Fitchburg) and Bella Monsanto (Curry) stabilize a lineup that can put up runs in a hurry.
The four seniors have won a number of tournament games together, including a run to the state semifinals two seasons ago and upsetting Bridgewater-Raynham last year.
“They understand the importance of carrying on the tradition,” said Smith. “They know that we’ve made the tournament 20 plus years in a row and have had some really strong years.”
R Pembroke senior Kelly McGee fanned 15 as she spun a no-hitter in a 6-0 Patriot League Fisher victory against Quincy/North Quincy.