Milton softball team facing tough week
The Milton High softball team could see the toughest part of its schedule this week. Not only will it face quality competition, Milton also will have to get through a series of back-to-back games, the result of rescheduled rainouts.
This weekend, Milton will cap its stretch of games with the Cardinal Spellman tournament. Bridgewater-Raynham and Whitman-Hanson also will be playing.
The tournament, which Milton won last year, is a chance for teams to get ready for the post season.
Milton ended last week 15-0, but coach R.J. Maturo is not interested in an undefeated season for his team. Last season, Milton was 21-1 when it was handed a 1-0 loss in the first round of the state tournament.
This season, Maturo said, his team has erased deficits and won games by one or two runs, and those types of victories are key for teams looking to do well in the postseason.
"We've had that kind of pressure, but having an undefeated season isn't really important to me," Maturo said. "Whether you lose two or three going into the tournament or you went undefeated, once the tournament begins, it's a different story."
Milton has been led this season by pitcher Jenna Bortolotti, who entered the week with a 12-0 record, a 0.46 earned-run average, and 110 strikeouts.
Milton also can credit other members of its team with its success.
Second baseman Molly Golden has 26 stolen bases. Third baseman Kristen McCormack is a defensive stopper and can knock in runs. Shortstop McKenzie Sumner is speedy and leads the league in hitting at .470. Outfielder Melissa Craven is a strong outfielder known for her ability to get a good jump on a fly ball.
This week, Milton also will look to pitcher Casey Flavin to help out with the extensive number of innings the team will face this week.
"We're just going to go out and do the best we can this week," Maturo said.
A defining victory for Old Rochester
Old Rochester Regional boys' tennis coach Jim Merchant calls it the match that defined his team's season. Last week, Old Rochester handed Cape Cod Academy its first loss of the season, 3-2. Cape Cod is one of the area's most respected programs and defeated Old Rochester, 3-2, earlier this season.
"By far, it was the most exciting tennis in my 11 years at the school," Merchant said. "Win or lose, I was real proud of these kids."
Old Rochester sealed the victory when No. 3 singles player Matt Lawrence defeated Eric Eldridge, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Eldridge defeated Lawrence earlier this season, 6-0, 6-1.
Also contributing to the victory was No. 1 singles Regis Chang, who is 14-0 this season, and No. 2 doubles Andrew Barrett and Brian Berry, who are 13-0.
Old Rochester qualified for the state tournament for the 26th consecutive season and entered this week 16-1 overall.
Quincy volleyball squad gets first league title
The Quincy boys' volleyball team clinched the South Alliance League title with a 10-0 record last week. The title is believed to be the first in school history, Quincy coach Ed Smith said. The Presidents enter the week with a 15-3 record and will begin play in the state tournament this week. This is the first time in three years that the Presidents have qualified for the state tournament.
Quincy has just two seniors -- Shin Nagpal and Ted Agolli -- and both have found ways to contribute, Smith said.
"They have given us leadership and maturity," Smith said. "They are like unsung heroes."
Hamilton honors Duxbury's Longley
Liz Longley of Duxbury, a senior attack on the women's lacrosse team at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., received the Jack B. Riffle Award last week at the school.
The award is given to the most outstanding male and female senior athletes at the college. Longley ended her career as the team's all-time leader in assists with 87 and is ranked third in points with 197.
Longley was a team captain and helped Hamilton secure the Liberty League regular-season and tournament titles. Hamilton also advanced to the NCAA Division 3 quarterfinals.
Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com. 
