When you’re one of the top programs around, it’s hard to get much better.
With that in mind, it would be tough for the Silver Lake High softball team to improve upon last year’s team after winning out their regular season and making a deep playoff run. After all, they did go 25-1, win a Patriot League title, and make it to the Division 1 South Sectional finals. Albeit that may be a challenge to duplicate that sort of year. However, there is no reason why they could not have yet again another successful season.
Of course, the team is without last year’s Gatorade player of the year, Maddy Barone, and they likely do not have one player who can directly fill that void. But hopes are high for pitcher Jill Richards, who will likely be a workhorse starter for the team this season. As a sophomore and a junior, Richards threw six scoreless outings which is important because starting pitchers in softball are used more frequently and for much longer outings than baseball pitchers. To put it this way, Barone went 23-1 with a 0.47 ERA and 215 strikeouts last season.
Looking up and down the lineup, the Lakers have what it takes yet again to produce some runs. They return three (senior) Patriot League All-Stars: catcher Emily Critch, shortstop Caroline Videtto and center fielder Kelly Danahy. Last year, however, Danahy played second base.
Speaking of experienced players, senior Anna Battista is back on varsity for the fourth straight year and she will be the team’s everyday right fielder.
The Lakers have a versatile team this season. Senior Alex Ruprecht, juniors Brenna Walsh and Coyle Shropshire, plus sophomores Hannah Mitchell, Amanda Harris and Izzy Ruprecht are all capable of playing more than one position. And junior Michaela Nista and freshman Ali Sylvester will also make meaningful contributions to the team all season long.
The Lakers next game is Monday, Apr. 17 against Bridgewater-Raynham at noontime on the road.