RallyNorth.net

Bulldogs take fifth title in six year

Friday, May, 23 By Mike Grenier
Staff writer

Coach Joe Balzarini remembers the formative days of North Shore Tech softball program in the 1980s, when he wasn't sure he could round up nine players to play a game.

That's why he has a great appreciation for what's going on now. The Bulldogs are 16-4 this season and they just won the Commonwealth Conference Small Division title for the fifth time in the last six years.

"We kind of expected to win it," Balzarini said. "We went 12-8 last year, finished second and didn't lose any seniors. Every team is out to beat us | but we use that as motivation."

Nicole Comppen and Stephanie Rudis have carried the pitching load, while  Whitney Bell (.540 average, 5 homers), sophomore shortstop Emily Pontes (.530) and Rudis (.510) have been the biggest weapons on offense.

The team's biggest goal is to make more noise in the Division 3 North tourney. The Bulldogs have won some first round games in the past, but the second round has proven to be a problem.

"That's the one monkey on our backs," said Balzarini. "I'm not assuming we're going to win in the first round, though; we've won a couple of those games and lost some heartbreakers in the second round. My goal is to go deeper in the state tournament."