Coach Looks Back at 'Up and Down' First Half for Ducks Softball

For the  softball team, the 2011 season has sure been a roller coaster ride. After suffering a 7-3 defeat to Norte Dame of Hingham, the Ducks bounced back with an 18-2 win over Mt. Alvernia. With Wednesday’s contest Our Lady of Nazareth postponed due to rain, the Ducks currently stand even at 4-4 overall.

“It’s been kind of an up and down season for us,’’ said coach Kathy Berardi. “One game, we look pretty invincible, and the next game, we come up on the short end on some games. Three of our losses have been by one run, and we could’ve easily won those games.”

Leading the way for the Ducks has been the senior leadership of Taylor Shepherd, who’s posted over a .500 batting average. Also contributing at the plate for the Ducks have been seniors Nicole Derba, Caroline Staples along with Edie Richardson, with each of them posting averages over .400.

“We’ve been pretty effective offensively at the top of the order,’’ said Berardi. “From one through four, we have a very fearsome lineup, but then it pretty much drops off after that. We’re still trying to find that fifth and sixth hitter, as well as some parts to the bottom part of the lineup. We’ve been mixing things around, and hopefully it’ll come around pretty soon.”

As for underclassmen, the Ducks have been guided by freshman Meghan Shea, who has posted just under a .300 batting average along with Shannon MacIssac and sophomore Caroline Staples.

“The younger girls are learning right now, and they’re getting some valuable experience,’’ said Berardi. “Unfortunately, it hasn’t been able to transfer into the win column, but they’re working hard and are giving it their best effort.”

In Monday’s 7-3 loss to Norte Dame of Hingham, ace Bridget Plouffe allowed just three hits through five innings, but walked a season high 10 batters.

“She didn’t give up many hits, but she wasn’t locating,’’ said Berardi. “It was tough because when she did throw strikes, they weren’t making contact, but walks and errors will kill you in high school softball and that’s what exactly happened to us against NDA of Hingham.”

In the losing effort, Shea and Derba paced the offense, recording an RBI triple each while MacIssac fared well in relief, allowing just two runs and one hit over the final two frames.

“Even though the score was (7-3), it was a game that we should’ve won,’’ said Berardi. “We out hit them, but the difference was we didn’t get the timely hitting, and their pitcher didn’t walk many batters, so we couldn’t generate base runners when we did get the hits.”

Guided by a balanced attack, the Ducks coasted to an 18-2 mercy rule win over Mt. Alvernia. Leading the way was Shepherd, who posted three doubles and four RBIs while Kelly Staples also added three hits, including a triple. Other key contributors included Derba and Richardson, who chipped in with three hits apiece while Caroline Staples added two.

“It was a nice way to come back and get the bats going,’’ said Berardi. “We have to be more consistent because we’re going to be up against some of the toughest teams in the state. Every game is going to be a battle from now until the rest of the season. We need to win five out of next 10 games to qualify for the tournament, and I think it’s a goal that’s definitely within our reach.”

On the mound, freshman junior varsity call up Katie Sorgman fared solid, allowing just two runs on three hits through five innings en route to the win.

“It was a great win and we got everyone involved,’’ said Berardi. “Now we have to keep the momentum going as we enter the second half of the season.”

Opponents on the schedule for the Ducks include Oliver Ames on Monday along with Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Marshfield and Ursuline Academy followed by Hanover and Boston Latin School.

“There are some really tough games ahead of us, and we have to be ready for the challenge,’’ said Berardi. “Our defense has to improve and we have to come through with some timely hitting up and down the lineup. We have our work cut out for us, but the seniors are doing a great with their leadership on and off the field.”