RallyNorth.net

METHUEN – For anyone left playing at this stage of the season, there’s only one objective.

“It’s survive and advance,” Methuen softball coach Jason Smith said of playing in the Round of 16. “That’s the name of the game.”

Maddie Schoenenberger and Aby Alexander each drove in two runs as Pinkerton beat Bedford 5-3 in the Division I Quarterfinals. Ashleigh Lemay locked down the win with two innings of no-hit relief for the Astros, who will next face Exeter on Wednesday at Plymouth State (7 p.m.)

Madi Gibeault delivered a walkoff sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh as No. 5 Pinkerton rallied for four runs in the final inning to earn a 10-9 walkoff win over No. 12 Bedford in the Division I first round. Leadoff hitter Lily Mason was 4 for 4 with three RBIs, Maddie Schoenenberger was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run and Aby Alexander scored twice for the Astros, who host No. 13 Bedford on Saturday (4 p.m.)

Katie Fox sparked the offense with a home run in the second inning, and Julia Malowitz struck out 14 as Central Catholic handed Burlington its second loss of the season, 3-0. 

Cami Belair, Kati Nolan, Ari DeCotis and Ella Tower combined to go 12 for 19 with seven runs and eight RBIs to power Windham to a 12-3 victory at Nashua South. Each of the four had three hits while Belair drove in four and Nolan scored three times.

Maddie Schoenenberger had four hits, including a homer, and drove in five to power Pinkerton softball to a 12-4 victory over Winnacunnet. Paige Murray earned the pitching win in the regular-season finale.

Ava McNamara was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored as Salem edged Merrimack 3-2. Addison Lucier and Jennifer Olson each added an RBI for the winners.

Kaitlyn Hurley hit a three-run homer, helping Greater Lawence to an 8-2 win over Nashoba. Wilmeri Valera and Emily Graham each had a triple, and winning pitcher Graham struck out 10.

Kayden Ouellette was 4 for 4 with 3 RBIs to help Whittier clinch the CAC Large championship with a 7-6 win over Essex Tech. Jaclyn Bioren was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs and Kaylee Habib also hit a homer for the Wildcats.

Liv DeCicco went 2-for-4 with a home run and earned the pitching victory as Haverhill ran over Essex Tech 17-4. The Hillies, who scored 10 in the fifth, ran their record to 11-7 with Jamieson Pearl going 3-5 with a homer and Samantha Dion went 3-5 and drove in three.

Maddie Noury and Emily Graham each hit a home run and four different players drove in two runs as Whittier downjed Mystic Valley 12-0. Graham and Kaylee Habib combined to allow one hit while striking out 14.