RallyNorth.net

LOWELL — Jillian McCoy flashed the kind of wide, bright smile that any dentist would love Friday night.

NEWTON — The Methuen offense may be peaking at just the right time.

At least it seemed that way Wednesday afternoon when the Rangers blasted Newton North 10-1 in the Division 1 North quarterfinals and, by so doing, got a monkey off their back.

Freshman Hayley Rapaglia kept Central Catholic softball's season going in style, tossing a no-hitter as the No. 22-seed Raiders knocked off third-seeded Medford, 9-0. Rapaglia struck out seven and chipped in a 2 for 3 performance at the plate, driving in a run as well. The Raiders started hot with a five-run first inning, thanks in large part to a three-run homer by Kaitlyn Sawyer, and added to their advantage throughout. They'll take on No. 2-seed Acton Boxboro in the Division 1 North semifinals on Wednesday (7:30 p.m.) at Martin Field in Lowell.

The upset run continued for the No. 22-seeded Central Catholic softball team. On Saturday, the Raiders took out No. 6 Lincoln-Sudbury, 7-2, to advance to the Division 1 North quarterfinals. Haley Merrill had a team-high three RBIs, and Sarah Janco added a pair of hits and RBIs as well. The Raiders will be at No. 3 Medford (Columbus Park) on Monday for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch.

The Presentation of Mary softball team fell to Boston Latin Academy, 22-0, in the first round of the Division 3 North tournament. The Panthers had just two hits, and end their season 12-7 overall.

Central Catholic's softball team continued its late season surge, stifling Concord-Carlisle 5-1 behind the pitching of Hayley Rapaglia and clutch hitting. Sarah Janco had two hits and an RBI for the Raiders (11-10) and now has 100 hits in just three years. Central will be at Lincoln-Sudbury Saturday at 3:30.

Haverhill's softball team held a brief 2-1 lead but couldn't hold on, falling to Arlington 3-2 in the Division 1 North prelims. Losing pitcher Alyssa Wilson only allowed four hits and was 2 for 4 at the plate for the Hillies, who finish their season at 12-9.

Maia Munez and Elaina Latino each had three hits and scored twice while. Katy Quinn had three RBIs and had a home run as Presentation of Mary (12-6) tuned up for the state tournament with a 12-3 rout went yard for the Panthers.

Whittier Tech lost a heartbreaking pitching duel in the State Vocational semifinals, 1-0 to Greater New Bedford, the defending Division 2 state champions. Nicole Verrette threw a nifty 4-hitter, striking out seven for the Wildcats (17-4) but Jenna Sylvia allowed just two hits for Greater New Bedford (19-2), which scored in the bottom of the seventh with two outs after a rundown between third base and home.

Methuen tuned up for the upcoming Division 1 North tournament with a solid 8-4 victory over a strong Arlington club. Stephanie Tardugno was 3 for 4 with a home run and scored twice for the Rangers (16-4) while Dana Littlefield and Emma McAlpine were also 3 for 4 and both had a pair of RBIs. 

North Andover's softball team ended its regular season with a 17-0 romp over Essex Tech.  Olivia Rondeau led the 18-hit attack for the Knights (12-8), in just four innings, with three hits and three RBIs. Carley Howe added three RBIs on two hits. 

Central Catholic's softball team dug deep Sunday and surged past Chelmsford 9-5 to qualify for the state tournament for at least the 16th straight year, ending the regular season with a 10-10 record. Alyssa Fusco had a three-run homer in the fourth for the Raiders and winning pitcher Hayley Rapaglia later added a solo homer. Sarah Janco was 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. 

Whittier Tech tuned up for the State Vocational Softball Tournament this week with an impressive 7-1 victory over Greater Lowell.

Nicole Verrette had another tremendous day pitching, throwing a two-hitter while striking out 16 batters while Alicia Habib and freshman Jaclyn Bioren both hit home runs. Bioren has been on a tear recently for the Wildcats (17-3) and was 2 for 3 overall with three RBIs.

Presentation of Mary softball downed Chelsea, 9-6, to clinch the top spot in the CAC. Eva Fabino, Marisa Leveroni and Elaina Latino all notched two hits apiece, while Latino got the win in the circle.