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Ashland's Nicole D'Argento has a career ratio of 2.23 strikeouts per inning. (Robert E. Klein for The Boston Globe) |
Globe West On the Diamond
D'Argento is star of stars
She has been a dominating presence since her freshman season on the Ashland High softball team, an overpowering force on the mound while swinging a lethal bat at the plate.
Nicole D'Argento is the state's two-time Gatorade Player of the Year, and the owner of single-season and career statistics that are off the charts.
Her career record, prior to Thursday night's Division 2 state semifinal vs. Concord-Carlisle High, was an astonishing 60-0, with a whopping 797 strikeouts.
This season, in the Clockers' quest to repeat as state champions, she was 23-0 in 135 innings with 302 strikeouts, only 11 walks, a 0.26 earned-run average, five no-hitters and a perfect game.
A number of pitchers in this state have reached 1,000 career strikeouts, but few can claim a ratio of 2.23 strikeouts per inning for their high school career.
More than a few will argue that her work at the plate is equally as impressive. With D'Argento amassing a .686 batting average, 13 home runs, 48 runs batted in, and 37 runs scored this spring, Ashland head coach Steve O'Neill calls her "the most dynamic hitter I've ever seen.
"I've seen others dominate the game, maybe not as consistently and not as dominant as her," he said. "But I've seen others win because they're a great pitcher. More than hitting, I'd say she's the most dynamic offensive player I've ever seen. She's the best runner, best hitter for average, hitter for power, smartest base runner, just a dynamic force to be reckoned with."
Apparently, her future coaches at Boston College agree.
Word is, she might start out in the infield for the Eagles, rather than on the mound, to get her bat into the lineup more often.
D'Argento was one of many stars in one of the area's wealthiest years in terms of talent. Here's the best of the rest:
Best slap hitter
Sara Hedtler, King Philip Regional: Considered one of the state's best leadoff hitters, she batted .561 with nine RBIs for the Warriors, 20-0 during the regular season.Best base runner
Jess Candini, Milford: Few got a better jump on the ball than this senior center fielder, with 17 stolen bases and 33 runs scored in 20 games.Best power hitters
Jessie Bryant, Marlborough: The Providence College-bound senior put together another monster year for the Panthers, hitting .478 while compiling a .606 on-base percentage. She also delivered six home runs, four triples, and 30 RBIs. She finished her career with 129 hits, a school record. .Emily Beinecke, Concord-Carlisle: The Tufts University-bound senior is considered one of the best hitters in program history, and was named MVP of the Dual County League's Small Division.
Lauren Murphy, Acton-Boxborough Regional: The junior was named this year's Dual County Large Division MVP thanks to her dominance on the mound (1.12 ERA) and her prowess at the plate (.574, 13 home runs, 54 RBIs).
Olivia Godin, King Philip Regional: Blasted eight home runs, and had two multi-homer games. And keep in mind, she's only a freshman.
Alyssa Zahka, Lexington: A three-time Middlesex League all-star, the junior infielder batted .547 with 24 RBIs, six triples and 10 doubles, with an on-base percentage of .578. Her slugging percentage: a ridiculous .938.
Best fastball
Shannon Dalton, Concord-Carlisle: Teamed with fellow senior Gail Minor to form one of the best 1-2 punches in the state; both had 50 strikeouts in 33 innings of work.Rebecca DiBiase, Wellesley: The Tufts-bound senior's heater helped lead a resurgence this year for the Raiders, who made the postseason for the first time in four seasons. She had 147 strikeouts in 145 innings, with a 1.30 ERA and eight shutouts.
Kiki Saveriano, Lexington: Complemented her great bat (.424 average, 18 RBIs, three home runs, .712 slugging, .479 OBP) with one of the area's best arms. In 128 innings, the UConn-bound senior struck out 236 and had an 0.37 ERA, earning her second straight Middlesex MVP.
Maggie Quealy, King Philip Regional: The junior drew a lot of walks at the plate (43), but it's her dominance in the circle - an 1.02 ERA with 97 strikeouts for the Hockomock League champs - that turns heads.
Best at changing speeds
Andrea Smith, Milford: With the ability to throw five pitches, the senior righty struck out 143 in 123 innings, with a 1.02 ERA and 16-2 record, earning MVP honors in the Midland Wachusett's A Division.Courtney Parker, Bellingham: The junior's "straight" changeup can confuse hitters because of its minimal sink. She had a 0.64 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 76 innings.
Nikki Meuse, Hudson: The senior has been a battler this postseason for the Hawks, leading them to their fourth straight state semifinal with a 1.72 ERA.
Best defensive players
Kylene Pease, Ashland: The Saint Anselm-bound senior hasn't committed an error at third base in three years. The key? Positioning. "She rarely takes a bad bounce down the third-base line," Ashland coach Steve O'Neill said. "She has a great understanding of how to position yourself to make the job easier."Meghan Flaherty, Medway: The junior shortstop batted .567 in the Tri-Valley League and is considered one of the area's best at covering ground in the infield.
Cara Daly, King Philip Regional: The senior first baseman complemented an excellent bat (.473, 36 RBI) with an even better glove (.990 fielding percentage).
Brendan Hall can be reached at bhall59@hotmail.com. 
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
