RallyNorth.net

Whittier ecstatic despite loss

Saturday, May, 31 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

HAVERHILL | It's not often that you'll find a coach doused with a jug of water after a loss, but that's what happened to Whittier softball coach Cheryl Begin yesterday afternoon after the Wildcats fell to Boston Latin Academy 12-5 in the preliminary round of the Division 3 North tournament.

But, considering the Wildcats' turnaround this spring, it was understandable.

Without a senior on the roster, Whittier improved from 6-14 a year ago to 12-9 and made its first appearance in the postseason tournament in four years.

"I told them that they're only supposed to throw water on me after a win, but they said they felt like they won," said Begin. "This team was about not giving up, and they showed that today."

If only the Wildcats could have eliminated that first inning!

Latin Academy (12-9) scored six unearned runs in the first courtesy of three errors, two walks and a fielder's choice in which all runners were safe. The Dragons had only one hit in the inning.

The Dragons scored twice more in the second inning to take an 8-0 lead before Whittier settled down, outscoring the visitors 5-4 the rest of the way.

"It was definitely a case of the jitters at the start," said Begin. "Our inexperience showed."

Whittier scored a run in the third and added two more in the fourth and loaded the bases with two out. Catcher Danielle Ryan then lined a shot to center, but the Latin Academy center fielder came in and made a nice grab to save at least two more runs.

Hits by Tiffany Mannion and Samantha Dietrich and an RBI ground out by Ryan led to two more runs in the sixth, but it proved to be a case of too little, too late.

Defensively, Emily Pomer played a strong game at second base despite being a southpaw and Kendra Hobbs made a nice catch in center field.

"With everyone back, we expect to go farther next year and the girls are determined," said Begin. "They're going to play together in the fall and work at it."