TMHS Softball Pummels Rangers, Qualifies For State Tournament

With an unproven pitcher and an inexperienced infield coming into the 2011 season, Tewksbury High knew his team was going to have to hit the ball well if the Redmen were going to qualify for the MIAA state tournament for a 15th straight season.

Well, hit the ball they have, and qualify they did. TMHS pounded out a season-high 16 hits Thursday night in Methuen, and laid a 12-5 pounding on the host Rangers, improving this surprising team's record to 10-2, and clinching a state tournament berth for the 15th straight year.

"If we hit, if we hit, that was my thing," DiRocco said. "Whenever anybody asked me about this team in the pre-season, I said that if we hit, we'd be all right. I thought we had a pretty good hitting team, and so far, they've proven me right."

Junior catcher , sophomore and sophomore first baseman Missy Cordwell each collected three hits to lead the Redmen to their fifth straight win Thursday. Senior left fielder Ally Greene and had two hits each, while Sherri Liggiero, Katie Doherty and Sam Laferriere had one hit apiece.

Tewksbury fell behind 1-0 in the first inning but the Redmen rallied with four runs in the third and four more in the fifth to put the game out of reach.  TMHS added one run in the sixth and three more in the seventh.

Since being shut out in Chelmsford on April 25th, the Redmen have neen on an offensive tear, scoring 53 runs during their five-game win streak.

"We're playing a lot of small ball and putting a lot of pressure on the other team," DiRocco said. "Tonight we made them mishandle the ball. We mixed it up quite a bit and we had them guessing."

Benvenuto, the team's new found pitching ace, struck out a seson high 10 batters while walking four. She improved her record to 10-2 on the season.

"Kayla has been amazing," DiRocco said. "To come up from the JV team (last season) and win 10 games in the Merrimack Valley Conference is pretty awesome."

Defensively, Liggiero made two outstanding catches in center field while Doherty and freshman Brooke Hardy had solid nights in the TMHS infield.

The Redmen hope to run their win streak to six straight when they play under the lights at Lawrence (7:00 p.m.) tonight. Freshman Shannon McLaughlin will get the start as Benvenuto gets a well-deserved rest.