Jones, North Andover jolt preseason pick Ipswich
Many preseason forecasts had Ipswich at the top of the Cape Ann League in softball. But yesterday North Andover (4-0) showed it's going to have a say in this title business as well.
A five-run third inning, along with solid work from pitcher Nicole Jones (7 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 1 K) and the defense, led the host Scarlet Knights to an impressive 5-1 win over the previously undefeated Tigers (4-1) at Drummond Park.
After Ipswich took a 1-0 lead in the first, North Andover struck with one out in the third. With runners at first and second, Danielle Fournier cracked a double down the left-field line to score Candace Waldie and Courtney Lynch. Two batters later, Jones delivered an RBI single to center for a 3-1 lead.
Ali McCarthy produced another big hit, socking a double to right that brought home Jones and pinch runner Tess McNamara.
"I was just looking for something to hit," she said. "It was two strikes on me, so I just swung at it."
From there, Jones kept the Tigers off balance by locating the ball low, according to coach Brian Martin, who said he "couldn't be happier" about his team's performance.
"Nicole Jones did a great job today pitching, and the kids made the plays they were supposed to make," he said.
Ipswich pitcher Kerry Desmond calmed down after the third and held the Knights to one hit in the final three innings. But her teammates were unable to bail her out on offense, and coach Doug Woodworth wasn't pleased.
"We didn't hit the ball very well at all, and I thought we could hit better than that," he said. "I thought we were a little lazy with the bats today. [North Andover] put the ball in play, they had a couple of good hits, and it adds up."
For North Andover, it added up to a solid statement in the league.
"It's very exciting to beat a team like Ipswich," said McCarthy.
Catholic Central: Molly Stone struck out eight and Theresa Kerr hit a three-run homer to spark Trinity Catholic's 8-4 win over Pope John.
Greater Boston: Freshman Kelsey Garrity (2 for 4) hit a decisive two-run double to cap Somerville's 7-6 seventh-inning comeback victory over Medford.
Middlesex: Junior Krissie Budmore tossed a no-hitter with eight strikeouts to lead Woburn to a 7-0 victory over Melrose.
Baseball
Catholic Central: Cam Gaudet hit a go-ahead three-run home run to lead Austin Prep past St. Mary's of Lynn, 14-10.
Merrimack Valley: Unranked Methuen rallied to upset No. 1 Tewksbury, 6-4, at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, N.Y. Senior David Koerner pitched a three-hitter, giving up one earned run.
Nonleague: Tom Conley and Bill Mueller each had three RBIs in BC High's 13-2 win over Brockton . . . Brent Burns was 2 for 3 and Brian Cronin had three walks, three runs, and four stolen bases as Attleboro edged New Bedford, 6-5.
Boys' lacrosse
Catholic Conference: Chris Rigoli, Brendan Grant, and Ryan Abely each had two goals to lead No. 2 Xaverian past sixth-ranked St. John's Prep, 9-5.
Merrimack Valley: Greg Melaugh collected four goals and three assists as Billerica beat Andover, 9-8.
Girls' lacrosse
Nonleague: Colleen Hayes netted five goals in Sandwich's 10-2 victory over Dartmouth.
Boys' volleyball
Nonleague: Chinu Yang (4 aces, 2 kills, 25 assists) and Chris Chin (25 digs, 12 kills) led Brockton over Barnstable, 3-0.
Girls' golf
Catholic Conference: Freshman Tori Perez won her match just 30 days after playing golf for the first time as Fontbonne beat Mt. Alvernia, 4-2.
