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Bell has North Shore Tech off to hot start

Friday, April, 25 By Mike Grenier
Staff writer

Whitney Bell's ability to hit the long ball has changed the defensive strategy of the entire Commonwealth Conference this season. Bell, who blasted nine homers for North Shore Tech last season, practically needs binoculars to spot the outfielders playing against her.

"Teams are playing her deep | I mean really deep," said Bulldogs coach Joe Balzarini, whose team is off to a 6-1 start. "Outfielders are backed up 180-200 feet because they know she can get it out there. It's the smart thing to do. I'd probably play four outfielders against her."

Bell, who lives in Beverly, is still finding the groove. She crushed her second homer of the season and drove in three runs in Tuesday's 15-7 win over Lynn Tech and belted her third homer yesterday in a 12-0 win over Northeast Regional of Wakefield. Bell is hitting a robust .433 for the season.

"It's nice when she gets one, but homers are not a priority," said Balzarini. "We just want our kids to get base hits that can win games."

Meanwhile, sophomore Stephanie Rudis' no-hitter yesterday against Northeast was the fourth in school history. Kelly Dodge did it twice, in 1997 and 1998, and Kim Curran did it in 2005.