Softball Team Upsets Lexington

Senior captain and catcher Victoria Luongo was one of the Mustangs’ big hitters against Lexington on Wednesday night.

– Allison Goldsberry

After defeating Arlington Catholic 1-0 with a walk-off run on Tuesday, the girls varsity softball team pulled out another huge victory on Wednesday, this time over softball powerhouse Lexington.

Arguably Medford’s biggest victory of the season was over two-time Division 1 state champion Lexington on Wednesday night. The Mustangs pulled out a come-from-behind 14-13 victory under the lights in Lexington before a large- and stunned- crowd.

After falling behind 6 to 1 the local nine exploded for nine runs in the top of fifth inning to take a temporary 10-6 lead. However the Lady Minutemen roared back in the fifth and sixth innings for a combined seven runs of their own to go into the top half of the seventh inning leading the Lady ‘Stangs by a score of 13 to 12, according to Head Coach Jack Dempsey.

Senior captain Kristina Bove started the seventh with a walk followed by junior Jackie Pellecchia reaching base on a Lexington miscue, setting the stage for freshmen sensation Sarah Donnelly. Donnelly jumped on the first pitch with a “rocket shot that split the outfield” for a two run double, scoring Bove and Pellecchia and putting the Medford girls ahead for good.

The drama wasn’t over until Mustang hurler Rayann Staude kept her focus and struck out the final two Lexington batters, stranding the tying run on third base. Staude picked up the victory for her sixth win of the season.

Offensively the Mustangs showed they can get the job done. Senior captain Kasey Moran added four hits, three RBI’s, and two doubles, senior captain Victoria Luongo had three hits, three RBI’s, and three runs scored, and Donnelly had two hits, four RBI’s, and two runs scored. Senior captain Sarah Moulton and Pellecchia each had two key hits while sophomore Sam Lopilato hammered a crucial double in the nine run fifth inning. Sophomore speedster Lauren Walsh also scored three important runs for Medford.

Coach Dempsey called the victories over AC and Lexington the highlight of the three seasons he has spent coaching the Mustang softball team.

“The real highlight is watching the kids, seeing their excitement…The best thing is they believe in themselves. When they were down they came back,” said Coach Dempsey.

Medford is currently 11-4 with five games remaining in the regular season. Medford hosts Winchester on Thursday at 3:45pm and Cambridge on Friday, which is Senior Day. Over Memorial Day weekend the Mustangs will participate in a tournament in Arlington and finish up the season on Memorial Day in Everett under the lights at 6:00pm.