LAWRENCE — The Central Catholic softball team went a long way to honoring late team member Becca Solomon, a senior outfielder who died in an automobile accident last week, with yesterday's big 7-1 victory over Bedford in the first round of the Division 2 North playoffs.
With the Raiders staked to a 3-0 lead, Cassie Hebert was called upon to pinch hit for third baseman Karissa Forzese in the sixth inning. Hebert responded by ripping a two-RBI, in-the-park home run to put the game out of reach.
Freshman Kayla Maloney improved to 4-0 while striking out five and allowing just four hits in a complete-game effort.
The Raiders had Solomon's initials, BS, on a patch on their uniforms.
According to coach Stacy Ciccolo, Solomon remains in the Raiders' thoughts.
"Right now, honestly, I don't think Becca is out of anybody's mind," she said. "Everyone comes to the field to play hard every day. They definitely remember her and are playing hard with her in mind."
Solomon's commitment to the success of the team is a driving force for team members, Ciccolo said.
"Our big thing is that when Becca was with us, she really busted her butt and gave everything she could," Ciccolo said. "We decided that we wouldn't let her down. We'll play hard because that's what she would have done."
The 15-4 Raiders face 11-10 Wakefield, whom they defeated 13-9 on May 9, tomorrow at 4 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
Central Catholic 7, Bedford 1
Division 2 North first round
Bedford (1): Campbell cf 3-0-0, Medwar lf 2-0-0, Coe c 3-1-1, Lua dp 3-0-0, Cangiano 1b 2-0-0, Bauer ss 2-0-1, Pietrasik 3b 3-0-1, Humme rf 3-0-1, Tiano 2b 3-0-0. Totals 24-1-4
Central Catholic (7): Martin cf 3-3-1, A. Borrelli ss 3-1-2, Maloney p 3-0-0, Eringis 2b 2-0-1, Swarbrick c 3-0-1, C. Borrelli 1b 1-0-0, Gosselin dp 3-1-0, Forzese 3b 1-0-0, Hebert ph 1-1-1, Defusco lf 3-1-1. Totals 23-7-7
RBI: CC — A. Borrelli 2, Eringis 2, Hebert 2, Swarbrick
WP: Maloney; LP: Mahoney
Bedford (8-9):0âÇ0âÇ0âÇ0âÇ0âÇ1âÇ0 — 1
Central Catholic (15-4):1âÇ0âÇ2âÇ0âÇ0âÇ4âÇ0 — 7
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