6/4/2013
King Philip @ Milford - Sharon @ Oliver Ames
Softball Baseball
The Breakdown:
SOFTBALL
Milford and King Philip will meet on Monday afternoon in the D1 South quarterfinal. The teams are the two Hockomock League champions and also two of the top teams in the state. This feels far too early for these teams to have to face-off and it should be a typically tight game with extra innings not out of the question.
In the first meeting, Milford won 3-0 but that was all the way back in the second game of the season and the Warriors offensive approach has improved markedly since. Shannon Smith, the state’s all-time leader in strikeouts, is overpowering and mixes in so many different pitches that it is almost impossible to sit on one particular pitch or location. But, with Tori Constantin and Anna O’Neill (who are both expected to be back after being suspended against Norwood) and sophomore Renee Poirier, the Warriors have big bats in the middle of the order and the potential for the long-ball. Rather than trying to string together hits, KP can get runs with one swing.
Of course, Milford has the same potential against O’Neill. Smith and third baseman Caroline Fairbanks are the primary homerun threats for the Hawks, but this is a balanced lineup that puts pressure on the defense throughout. O’Neill will need to mix in her change-up to keep the Milford hitters off-balance and not allow them to sit on the fastball, especially early in the game. This could come down to which team gets contributions from the bottom of the order, whether it be run production or simply turning the lineup over quicker and getting the big hitters an extra at-bat.
This really feels like it could come down to one hit and one run to decide the team that heads into the sectional semi-finals and whichever teams gets out in front will have a huge advantage. If either team gets an early lead, it will put a ton of pressure on the opposition as both teams believe that they are state title contenders, if they can just get past this game.
BASEBALL
Not every team that splits a season series down the middle gets a chance at a rubber match, but rivals Oliver Ames and Sharon have that chance as they meet Monday afternoon in the D2 South Quarterfinals.
Each team picked up wins at home this season with the Eagles taking the first game 8-3 in April and the Tigers taking game two 7-3 in mid-May. The third game will be played at Frothingham Park, the home of Oliver Ames.
For Sharon, junior lefty Will Ginsberg will get the start according to HockomockSports.com Contributor Yoni Monat. Ginsberg was 4-3 this season with an 2.17 ERA. They will hope to produce a similar effort to their 6-1 first round win over Dighton-Rehoboth. Hockomock League All-Star Jake Fishman will be key at the plate for the Eagles as well as senior first baseman Nathan Pederson.
Oliver Ames will likely give the ball to sophomore lefty Brendan Welch or junior Chris Servello. Servello was a perfect 7-0 on the regular season with a 2.30 ERA. At the plate, it's no secret who has been in charge, starting with Hockomock League Most Valuable Player David MacKinnon. MacKinnon finished atop the league in average, batting .515 and knocking in 14 runs. And beyond MacKinnon, the Tigers have senior Andrew Mancini, who led the league in RBIs and posted a .371 average.
Both teams are solid from top to bottom and the rubber match will decide the season series.
Milford and King Philip will meet on Monday afternoon in the D1 South quarterfinal. The teams are the two Hockomock League champions and also two of the top teams in the state. This feels far too early for these teams to have to face-off and it should be a typically tight game with extra innings not out of the question.
In the first meeting, Milford won 3-0 but that was all the way back in the second game of the season and the Warriors offensive approach has improved markedly since. Shannon Smith, the state’s all-time leader in strikeouts, is overpowering and mixes in so many different pitches that it is almost impossible to sit on one particular pitch or location. But, with Tori Constantin and Anna O’Neill (who are both expected to be back after being suspended against Norwood) and sophomore Renee Poirier, the Warriors have big bats in the middle of the order and the potential for the long-ball. Rather than trying to string together hits, KP can get runs with one swing.
Of course, Milford has the same potential against O’Neill. Smith and third baseman Caroline Fairbanks are the primary homerun threats for the Hawks, but this is a balanced lineup that puts pressure on the defense throughout. O’Neill will need to mix in her change-up to keep the Milford hitters off-balance and not allow them to sit on the fastball, especially early in the game. This could come down to which team gets contributions from the bottom of the order, whether it be run production or simply turning the lineup over quicker and getting the big hitters an extra at-bat.
This really feels like it could come down to one hit and one run to decide the team that heads into the sectional semi-finals and whichever teams gets out in front will have a huge advantage. If either team gets an early lead, it will put a ton of pressure on the opposition as both teams believe that they are state title contenders, if they can just get past this game.
BASEBALL
Not every team that splits a season series down the middle gets a chance at a rubber match, but rivals Oliver Ames and Sharon have that chance as they meet Monday afternoon in the D2 South Quarterfinals.
Each team picked up wins at home this season with the Eagles taking the first game 8-3 in April and the Tigers taking game two 7-3 in mid-May. The third game will be played at Frothingham Park, the home of Oliver Ames.
For Sharon, junior lefty Will Ginsberg will get the start according to HockomockSports.com Contributor Yoni Monat. Ginsberg was 4-3 this season with an 2.17 ERA. They will hope to produce a similar effort to their 6-1 first round win over Dighton-Rehoboth. Hockomock League All-Star Jake Fishman will be key at the plate for the Eagles as well as senior first baseman Nathan Pederson.
Oliver Ames will likely give the ball to sophomore lefty Brendan Welch or junior Chris Servello. Servello was a perfect 7-0 on the regular season with a 2.30 ERA. At the plate, it's no secret who has been in charge, starting with Hockomock League Most Valuable Player David MacKinnon. MacKinnon finished atop the league in average, batting .515 and knocking in 14 runs. And beyond MacKinnon, the Tigers have senior Andrew Mancini, who led the league in RBIs and posted a .371 average.
Both teams are solid from top to bottom and the rubber match will decide the season series.
Poll:
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| HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Dan Libon |
John Botelho |
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| HockomockSports.com Staff |  |
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| SOFTBALL: King Philip @ Milford Tuesday, 4:00 |
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| BASEBALL: Sharon @ Oliver Ames Tuesday, 4:00 |
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| Baseball | Lanigan 2-0 | Perry 1-1 | Libon 1-1 | Botelho 1-0 |
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| Boys Lax | Lanigan 0-1 | Perry 0-1 | Libon 0-1 | Botelho 1-0 |
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| Softball | Lanigan 1-1 | Perry 1-1 | Libon 1-1 | Botelho 2-0 |
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| Total | Lanigan 3-2 | Perry 2-3 | Libon 2-3 | Botelho 4-0 |
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