RallyNorth.net

Jackie Giordano surrendered just two earned runs, but No. 14 Andover fell to unbeaten No. 2 Peabody 6-0 in the Division 1 North semifinals.

Surprising North Andover beat surprising Concord-Carlisle, 11-10, in the Division 1 North quarterfinals. The No. 21 Knights trailed No. 20 C-C 8-2 heading into the sixth. They took a 2-run lead with four runs in the top of the seventh and held on as the hosts pushed across one run in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman Brigid Gaffny gave up just one eawrned run in 4.2 relief innings to get the win. Julianna Roche and Maeve Gaffny both drove in three runs.

Methuen gave Peabody a battle but the 16-0 Tanners advanced with a 6-3 win in the Division 1 North quarterfinals. Methuen's Steph Tardugno, Jenny Grelle, Avry Nelson (2 runs) and Kiele Coleman (2 RBI) each had two hits. The Rangers, who made the 2019 state finals, made the tourney for the 20th straight season and posted their 18th straight winning season. 

Katie O'Brien smashed a 220-foot homer and No. 14 Andover hit the fence four other times in a dominant 12-0, 5-inning North quarterfinal win over No. 11 Lincoln-Sudbury. O'Brien, Molly Duval, Alyssa Sellinger, Adelaide Weeden and winning pitcher Jackie Giordano all had big days at the plate. Giordano (4-hitter) has given up just two earned runs in three tourney wins.

Methuen's softball team continued its late season surge, scoring in the bottom of the ninth for a 3-2 win over Beverly in the Division 1 first round. Brooke Tardugno doubled and came home on a Kiele Coleman single for the winning run. Freshman Ilene Rickard went the distance for the win, striking out 14 while throwing a 5-hitter. The Rangers (12-5) will  face a major challenge Wednesday at unbeaten Peabody (15-0) and its super freshman pitcher Abby Bettencourt, who threw a perfect game at Haverhill on Monday. 

What a difference an ace pitcher can make. Lowell was without superstar Gina LaCedra Monday in the Division 1 North softball first round and North Andover took advantage, romping to a 10-0 victory. Josilin Gove had a memorable game, hurling a five-hits shut out and going 4 for 4 at the plate with two RBIs. Julianna Roche was 3 for 4 with three RBIs for the Knights (9-8).

Whittier's softball team scored 10 runs in the sixth inning to put away Triton and advance to the quarterfinals of the Division 2 North with a 14-0 record. Emily Graham fired a one-hitter, striking out nine, Alyssa Michel was 4 for 5 with a triple and three RBIs, Alicia Habib was 2 for 3 with a home run and Dani Lear was 3 for 3 with a home run. 

No. 14 Andover toppled No. 3 Westford, 3-2, in 8 innings. Winning pitcher Jackie Giordano singled in Alyssa Sellinger from second in the top of 8th. Giordano, a freshman, had a 6-hitter with nine strikeouts, one walk and one earned run. Molly Duval homered.

Abby Bettencourt, the latest standout from that legendary athletic family, fired a perfect game, striking out 11,  as unbeaten Peabody blanked Haverhill, 6-0, in the Division 1 North first round.