Softball sweeps Randolph in charity doubleheader

After losing consecutive games at the start of last week to fall to 0-3 overall, the Canton High softball team bounced back in a big way on Saturday, sweeping a doubleheader against nonleague Randolph while also raising hundreds of dollars for two local charities.

Senior Becky Lazaro (Mike Barucci photo)

Organized by head coach Ed Amico and team captains Cady Kelly and Samantha Sullivan, Saturday’s charity doubleheader proved to be a major success, as the team sold homemade baked goods and lots of pizza — donated by several area restaurants — with all proceeds going to Cops for Kids with Cancer and Project Bread.

The players also wore special shirts and socks throughout the afternoon, and the attire brought some good karma as the Bulldogs throttled the Blue Devils in both contests, 14-2 and 12-0.

The star of the day was Sullivan, who pitched a no-hitter and struck out 10 Randolph batters in the second game while also contributing offensively. Kelly also had a big day at the plate, as did freshman Sammy Devane, who hit a homerun in a game in which she also got her first varsity start as a pitcher.

“It was a complete team effort,” said Amico of the two big wins. “All 14 players saw a lot of playing time and contributed. Unlike previous games, the key was no errors and stringing together some timely hits.”

Although thrilled with the victories, Amico said he was most proud of how the team came together for two worthy causes.

“They are a wonderful group of girls who realize that they have the ability to make a difference on the field, but more importantly, off the field,” he said. “It’s a real pleasure coaching this group.”

Unfortunately, the team did not fare as well in the other two games last week — a 14-10 home loss to Foxboro on Tuesday and a 14-0 blanking by Mansfield the following day.

The girls did show plenty of resolve in the game against the Warriors, however. Down 11-1 in the fifth inning, the Bulldogs exploded for nine unanswered runs to make it 11-10 before Foxboro responded with three runs of its own to seal the win.

Canton actually out-hit the Warriors in the game, led by Kelly, who had multiple hits including a triple, and Julia Murphy, who smacked a homerun. Becky Lazaro, Angelina Salcedo, and Brittany Ferzoco all finished the game with multiple hits.

Despite the loss, Amico said he was pleased with the intensity and character that the girls displayed in clawing their way back into the game. “It should show them that they have the potential to play with anyone if they play seven innings,” he said.

Amico expressed similar sentiments after his team battled Mansfield, one of the top teams in the state. The Bulldogs played well through the first three innings, trailing just 1-0 going into the fourth, but they got sloppy on defense as the Hornets surged ahead to put the game out of reach.

Among the bright spots for Canton offensively were its first and second batters, Olivia Murphy and Lazaro, who reached base five times in the game.

“We showed that when facing some of the toughest pitching in the league we can get on base,” Amico said. “Now we need to get that timely hit and put pressure on the other team and its defense.”

The Bulldogs had two games during the vacation week — at Boston Latin Academy and home versus North Attleboro. They then travel to King Philip on Monday and Oliver Ames on Wednesday before returning home to face Stoughton next Friday, April 27.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Apr 18 2012. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.