RallyNorth.net

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. 

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. 

Methuen beat Chelmsford in the North prelims, 8-1, on a complete-game MacKenzie Yirrell 5-hitter. Makenna Donovan had a bases-clearing triple and Avry Nelson was 4-for-4 with 3 ribbies.

Stephanie Tardugno got two hits in the first inning late Tuesday night (because of rain, the game started at 8:45 p.m.) to give her 100 for her career in just three years as Methuen blasted Lowell 15-2. Lowell was playing without ace Giana LaCedra. Methuen will open the Division 1 North sectional at home Friday at 7 p.m. against Chelmsford.

Trailing 9-0 in the fourth, Methuen scored in the next four innings, capped off by three runs in the bottom of the seventh for a wild 10-9 victory over Central Catholic. Jenny Grelle and Makenna Donovan both tripled and Avry Nelson drove in Donovan with the winning run. "I don't think I've ever seen a comeback from nine runs," said Methuen coach Jason Smith. "I give the girls credit for hanging in there."

In the first of two games against Lowell, Methuen could not catch up with Lowell ace Gina Lacedra. In a 2-0 victory, Lacedra threw a no-hitter and struck out 20 of 22 batters she faced. Methuen's only baserunner came on a passed ball following a strikeout.

Freshman Ilene Rickard scattered five hits and struck out six in five innings for the win and classmate Kiele Coleman had two hits and two RBIs as Methuen routed Tewksbury 13-0 in five innings.

Methuen rolled to a 26-3 win at Lawrence. Junior tri-captain Avry Nelson drove in six runs, Kyra Meuse had two doubles, three runs and three RBI and senior captain Emily Spina scored four times.

Junior Makenna Donovan had two doubles, two home runs and drove in six runs as Methuen's bats came alive in a 19-5 rout of Chelmsford. Stephanie Tardugno was 5 for 6 and Ariana Baez aldo had a home run. Freshman Mackenzie Yirrell struck out 10 and got the win.

Freshman Ariana Baez had two hits, two RBIs and scored twice as Methuen softball secured a big 9-5 win over Dracut.