Mustang Softball Team Defeats Everett

– Allison Goldsberry

After rainy weather screwed with the schedule for the last two weeks, the Mustang softball team earned a key 13-8 win over Everett on Wednesday at Columbus Park in Medford.

It was a must-win situation for the Mustangs, who need to either finish first or second in the league or earn at least .500 record to qualify for the state tournament. The Medford girls came up big by defeating the Everett nine, who are 11-3 overall but are a game behind the Mustangs in the GBL, according to Head Coach Jack Dempsey. Medford is now 3-2 in the GBL and 3-7 overall.

Senior captain Shannon Hussey and junior Katie Napier, the first and second batters in the Mustang order, each banged out five hits. Hussey scored four runs, had three RBI’s and stole three bases. Napier scored two runs and contributed two RBI’s along with two steals. Senior captain Jackie Pellecchia contributed two hits, two RBI’s and four stolen bases, junior Sam Lopilato and sophomore Sarah Donnelly each had a pair of hits and two RBI’s, and senior captain Emily Welch had a single, an RBI and a stolen base.

Senior captain Rayanne Staude went the distance on the mound for the Mustangs, striking out six batters for her third win of the season.

The Lady Mustangs have a daunting schedule ahead of them. They head to Everett on Thursday afternoon before commencing a nine games in nine days schedule, starting with a Sunday game under the lights at Columbus Park against perennial power Concord Carlisle.