RallyNorth.net

From scouting and four innings of first-hand knowledge, Ashland knew its best shot at victory over Central Catholic was to rattle the Raiders.

It took over half the Eastern Mass. Division 2 title game, but the undefeated Clockers finally broke through. After forcing the North champion Raiders into an uncharacteristic four errors, Ashland then delivered the clutch hits to make the mistakes hurt. The shut-down pitching of Gatorade state player of the year Nicole D'Argento was the final piece of the winning puzzle as the Clockers took a 5-0 decision before about 200 fans at Tripp Field.  

There are no superstars on the Central Catholic softball team, but there are no weak links, either.

And that may be the key to the Raiders' Division 2 North title and be their best hope of knocking off powerful Ashland (26-0) tomorrow (7 p.m.) in the state semifinals in Taunton. Ashland is ranked the top team overall in Eastern Mass., although its last three tourney games have been close, including 1-0 in eight innings over Apponequet in the South finals.

Like Trey Wilson | the actor who played manager Joe Riggins in "Bull Durham" | said of baseball, "This is a simple game. You throw the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball." The same can be said of softball — it's a simple game.

Resiliency has paid off for junior pitcher Liz Habib and, as a result, for the entire Central Catholic softball team.

Early in the season, the prospects did not look particularly promising for Habib or the Raiders, who were looking for someone to take the baton from graduated All-Merrimack Valley Conference pitcher Rachel Merrick.

 It's the perfect time for Central Catholic to be playing perfect softball.

Whether from brilliant pitching by Liz Habib, stellar defense or an offense both smart and powerful, the sixth-seeded Raiders did it all in blanking No. 3 Arlington Catholic, 6-0, at mosquito-infested Martin Field.

Life will be much simpler for Josephine Guselli next spring. It may not be anywhere near as much fun, however.

For the last few years, she has been a gung-ho fan of both the Central Catholic and Methuen softball teams, avidly following her granddaughters, Chelsey, a senior for the Raiders, and Becca, a junior for the Rangers.

Central Catholic pasted Methuen 15-0 in five innings.

Lindsay Martin drilled an run-scoring double and Lisa Policelli had an RBI single in Central's six-run second inning.

Tina Eringis had the day's monster blast, a grand slam as part of a nine-run, fourth-inning uprising.

Central Catholic was  the recipient of 17 walks from Andover pitching and cruised to a 13-5 win. The Raiders (2-1) had five hits, highlighted by Chelsey Guselli's three-run homer. Liz Habib earned the win. For Andover, Rachel Licciardi had two RBIs and Kerry McCarthy had two hits.

2007 record: 18-5, lost in Division 2 North semifinals

Returning starters (6): Lindsay Martin, Sr., CF; Monique Gosselin, Sr., SS; Chelsey Guselli, Sr., 3B; Carla Borrelli, Jr., P/1B; Tina Eringis, Jr., 2B; Lisa Policelli, Sr., LF