RallyNorth.net

One big inning sent Andover to a win over Masconomet, but it also eliminated the Warriors from the Division 1 North softball tourney, 10-0 over Acton-Boxboro. A seven-run fourth inning made the difference as pitcher Sarah Ropiak shackled Andover to just two hits while picking up her 500th career strikeout.

No. 15 Andover sent 14 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, scoring 10 times to shock second seed Masconomet, 13-1, in first round Division 1 North play. Eugenie Moffitt and Nicole Ericson had two-run singles in the inning.

Cassandra Hunt pitched a complete game three-hitter allowing three unearned runs and striking out seven batters as No. 15 Andover softball beat No. 18 Peabody 5-3 in the preliminary round of the Division 1 tournament. 

Andover's softball team took a big step toward qualifying for the state tournament with an 11-1 romp over Haverhill. The Warriors (9-9) got a strong pitching performance from Kassandra Hunt and banged out 12 hits, including three from Taylor Farris, who scored three times.

In what coach Steve Tisbert termed, "Probably the biggest win we've had this year," Andover responded to a tough 10th inning by scoring three runs in the bottom of the frame to upset Methuen, 4-3. After battling to a 1-1 deadlock through regulation, three errors plated two Methuen runs in the top of the 10th. Taylor Farris' two-run double tied the game for the Warriors and, with one out, Jordan Day's single brought home the game-winner. Cassandra Hunt struck out a season-high seven for the victory, getting good defensive help from catcher Shannon Tully, third baseman Day and center fielder Nicole Ericson.

Shannon Tully went 4 for 4 with two doubles and drove in four runs as Andover's softball team blanked Lawrence 8-0. Usually the catcher, Tully played first base and third base and made a nifty play at third.

Andover's softball team kept it close against a strong Dracut team, 5-3, thanks largely to a great game by Nicole Ericson. The sophomore had three hits, scored a run and made, according to coach Steve Tisbert, three great catches in center field. 

Shannon Tully was 4 for 5, including a mammoth double and triple, to spark Andover past Notre Dame 10-2. Molly Awiszus added three hits and Jordan Day and Nicole Ericson (2 for 5) were outstanding defensively on the left side of the infield.

With just one hit going into the seventh inning, Andover tied the game when Mimi Olney doubled and scored on a double-steal with Jordan Day to send the game into overtime. But Central Catholic fought back when winning pitcher Olivia Antczak singled, move to third and scored on a single by Leslie Moore for a walkoff 2-1 win in nine innings.

Cassandra Hunt fired a two-hitter, striking out six, leading banged-up Andover to a 3-0 victory over Notre Dame. Jordan Day scored the winning run on a squeeze bunt by Lauren LeBlanc. Freshman Paige Hartnett played solid defense filling in at second base.