Norwood Softball Caps Off Perfect Season with Victory Over Needham

Yesterday the Norwood softball team traveled to Claxton Field in Needham and turned in another dominating performance, defeating the Rockets 14-0 in five innings to finish their regular season at 18-0.

Ali Maloof, last year’s Bay State Conference MVP, led off the game for the Mustangs and struck out, but the ball got away from Needham catcher Kaley Davidson, enabling Maloof to beat out the throw to first. The speedy senior then stole second, and wound up scoring when shortstop Makenna Lane grounded out to Needham pitcher Jacqui O’Leary.

“The game was set off when we struck the first girl out but she got to first base,” Needham coach Mark Hernandez said. “If we keep that girl off we still get the next two out we get out of that inning.”

Maloof, who reached base and scored on all four of her plate appearances, didn’t just get it done on offense, though. Not only did the senior captain, who will be taking her talents to Division 2 Southern New Hampshire next year on a full scholarship, not allow a hit, but she only allowed the Rockets to put one ball in play - a groundout to first in the 4th inning. She hit a batter and walked two, but struck out the other 14 batters she faced.

Asked after the game if she had noticed late in the game that Needham hadn’t managed to put a ball in play, Maloof said, “I don’t know. I don’t really think about it. Maybe I notice it a little.”

Offensively, Norwood seemed to be locked in throughout the game. They had 11 hits, all of which were singles, and were able to steal bases at times as well. In addition, the Rockets, who are a very young team, made eight errors, which helped the Mustangs score their 14 runs.

“Our philosophy is to put the ball in play,” Norwood coach Carol Savino said. “There’s only so many power hitters on this team. Bottom line is, one base at a time. When kids swing big they tend to overswing. If we’re going to hit the ball in play, then they have to make a play.”

With the loss, Needham drops to 5-14. Norwood now waits to see who they will face in their first state tournament game.

Of note:

Norwood has two players on their roster who are finalists for the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of Year Award. Maloof is one. The other, Lauren Duggan, was not at yesterday’s game. She was at Uconn, where she has committed to play next year.

The Mustangs have now won 42 consecutive Bay State Conference games. Last year they won two games in the postseason before losing to King Philip Regional High.