It’s been a long time coming, but Medford High is finally sitting on top of the softball world.
The Mustangs captured the Greater Boston League title, after defeating four-time defending champs Malden, 2-1, May 20. The win marked Medford’s first softball pennant in 15 years, last accomplishing the feat in 1998. It was the team’s eighth win in nine games for Coach Jack Dempsey’s squad, who sood at 8-5 as they entered last week’s action.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment especially for the seven seniors on the team,” Dempsey said. “They’ve hung in there for four years and who have worked very hard for this honor.”
After stalling out to a 0-4 start, the Mustangs have rallied the troops after dedicating its season to the memory of Kristle Cambell, an MHS graduate and victim of the Boston Marathon bombings. The team has been sporting black armbands as a tribute to Campbell, ever since, and the results have been awe-inspiring.
“For all the girls on the team [have been] picking it up with the armbands and the Kristle chant in the huddle at the beginning of each game,” Dempsey said. “Its a wonderful feeling.”
According to Dempsey, the team is starting to exceed his lofty expectations.
Medford entered the contest against Malden already owning a share of the GBL title, but needed to bump off the defending Division 1 Eastern Mass. Champions to secure sole possession.
Luckily they had their ace on the hill.
Freshman pitcher Ashley Eisnor was a force holding a potent Golden Tornado lineup to just one run off three hits, walking one, while striking out eight. The hurler also helped out her own cause driving in both Mustang runs, with a sac fly in the second inning, before lacing the eventual game-wining single scoring senior Michaela Mitrano in the sixth.
Medford was sparked offensively by a number of sources. Senior tri-captain Katie Napier (double, two hits), sophomore Brianna Napoleone (two hits) and Hannah ‘’Leary (double, two hits, run), led the hit parade. Senior tri-captains Lauren Walsh and Sam Lopilato also got into the act, joining senior Christina Lynch with strong games at the plate.
Defensively sophomore catcher Julia Kearney was a stand out. The Medford backstop gunned down a Malden base stealer to kill a potential rally. Malden didn’t go down without a fight. The Tornadoes scored a run in the seventh before Eisnor closed the door leaving the potential tying run stranded at third.
“We expected to be in the hunt from the get go, because of the make up of the team leadership from the seniors and the potential of Ashley,” said Dempsey. “But we really didn’t know what to expect from Malden and Everett, who both had 8-10 seniors returning.”
In earlier action, Napoleone drilled a pair of hits as Medford rolled Catholic Central League Champion Arlington Catholic, 8-2 at Tufts Park, May 16.
Napoleone was one of a handful of Mustangs making contact, bringing in two RBI, while scoring two runs.
Previously falling to the Cougars earlier in the season, Medford was looking for a little payback, and got it courtesy of two of its tri-captains LoPilato and Walsh. LoPilato laced a pair of hits, while knocking in two RBI. Walsh singled twice, adding two stolen bases.
Lynch kept the offense in motion levying a hit and two RBI. Junior Sarah Donnelly delivered an RBI double, while sophomores Hannah O’Brien and Bailey Flynn each had singles rounding out the offensive attack.
That was more than enough run support for Eisnor. The freshmen pitched another strong game surrendering two runs, scattering five hits and a walk, while fanning 10 AC hitters en route to the victory.
The Mustangs finish up its regular season slate with a flurry of six non-league contest in seven days. The tour continues with road games against Lexington, Thursday, May 23 and Revere, Saturday, May 25, before playing host to Arlington, Sunday, May 26/
Dempsey feels the run will only make the team stronger.
“We have six non-league games left in seven days with above-average competition, which we purposely schedule to get us prepared for the upcoming Division 1 State Tournament,” said Dempsey. “We have a great bunch of kids who enjoy playing together and it makes it a fun experience for everyone.”