Good luck finding a flaw on this year’s Silver Lake High softball team.
Throughout the regular season, they absolutely dominated the competition–yet again–and finished it up with a 22-0 record, which marks the second straight year they’ve won out the regular season. As a result, they are now the top seed in the MIAA Division 1 South playoff bracket. With that in mind, it makes sense because they are ranked No. 1 in the state in The Boston Globe and the favorites in their respective bracket. In fact, the Lakers won their eighth straight Patriot League Keenan Division title this year and they have won the title in 10 of the last 11 years.
Coming into the playoffs, the Lakers had allowed just four runs in their last 10 games and in that span, they never let up more than one run in a game–an indication of how dominant Jillian Richards has been on the mound for the team.
At the plate, the Lakers have a lineup that can strike fear in their opponents from start to finish. At the top of it though are catcher Emily Critch and shortstop Caroline Videtto, both of whom were on last year’s ESPN Boston All-State team, are yet again having strong years.
In addition to Critch and Videtto, Richards hits well and both Anna Battista and Amanda Harris put up strong performances against Quincy on May 24; Battista got three hits, drew a walk and scored three runs while Harris got two hits, drew a walk and knocked in three.
On the basepaths, Michaela Nista has been a valuable pinch-runner, frequently running for Richards. Nista scored three runs in the Lakers win over Quincy.
The Lakers will face either Duxbury High or Bridgewater-Raynham in the first round of the playoffs this Friday, June 2 at home with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m..