Lady Pats softball team eyes strong finish for postseason push

By Dom Nicastro

The Revere High School softball team is looking to finish the regular season strong enroute to its Division 1 postseason. The Patriots were 13-5 heading into their final two games.

Revere fell to Somerville, 7-6, in its most recent game, despite out-hitting them 4-2. Anna Doucette led Revere with two hits. Revere fought back after falling down by four runs in the fourth inning, but the comeback fell just short. Revere closed the gap by scoring on an error, a single, a steal of home, and a triple.

Revere got on the board in the first inning after Doucette tripled, scoring one run. Somerville tied the game at one in the top of the second. A triple by Somerville gave the Highlanders the lead, 4-1, in the top of the third.

Danni Hope Randall took the loss for Revere. She went seven innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) on two hits, striking out 14 and walking eight. Frankie Reed and   Doucette each drove in one run for Revere. Jordan Martelli and Riley Straccia each stole multiple bases for Revere, which ran wild on the base paths, tallying six stolen bases for the game.

“They battled back. They played hard,” Revere coach Megan O’Donnell said. “Every team turns around the second half of the season, so you can’t take anybody for granted, but Somerville made some really great plays on us. They snagged a few balls that for any other team probably would have been hits. They made the defensive plays.”

Coach O’Donnell highlighted the team’s overall solid hitting performance but noted struggles in clutch situations, particularly in later innings. Despite facing tough opponents like Everett, the team has shown resilience, battling back in games even when nervousness set in. The team has played a lot of softball in recent weeks, and the coach believes a short break and a good practice session have helped maintain hitting consistency. While some players have had ups and downs, O’Donnell emphasized that this is part of the game.

The team’s overall fielding has shown significant improvement compared to last year, contributing to their competitiveness. Coach O’Donnell has made slight adjustments to the lineup, but the core remains the same. The coach expressed confidence in the players’ ability to deliver hits when needed as the regular season winds down. The team has been aggressive on the bases, leveraging their speed to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.

“We’ve been hitting the ball well in some games, but we haven’t really got hits late in the game, especially against Everett,” O’Donnell said. “We battled with them. Again, we got a little nervous because but every plate is tough and we battled back. I feel like we’re coming together.”

Leading the charge hitting-wise is Lea Doucette, who has been nothing short of phenomenal at the plate. With a batting average of .552, Doucette has racked up 37 hits in 67 at-bats, including four doubles, one triple, and three home runs. Her power and consistency have been critical, driving in 29 runs and scoring 34 herself. Doucette’s on-base percentage of .731 and slugging percentage of .776 highlight her effectiveness as a hitter. Additionally, she has demonstrated exceptional speed on the bases, stealing 29 bases without getting caught.

Ally Straccia has also made significant contributions with her bat and speed. Batting .564, Straccia has collected 22 hits in 39 at-bats, including three doubles and two home runs. Her ability to get on base and drive in runs has been crucial, as evidenced by her 18 RBIs and 19 runs scored. Straccia’s on-base percentage of .820 and slugging percentage of .795 further underscore her impact on the field. She has also been aggressive on the base paths, successfully stealing eight bases and demonstrating an 88% success rate in stolen bases.

Riley Straccia has been another standout performer, boasting a .532 batting average with 25 hits in 47 at-bats. Her nine doubles and two triples highlight her ability to hit for extra bases. Straccia has driven in 19 runs and scored 26, showing her all-around contributions to the team’s offense. With a slugging percentage of .809 and an on-base percentage of .700, she has been a reliable hitter throughout the season.

Shayna Smith has provided a power surge for the team, hitting .491 with 27 hits in 55 at-bats. Her 12 doubles and four home runs showcase her ability to change the game with one swing. Smith has driven in 28 runs and scored 19, making her a key run producer for the team. Her slugging percentage of .964 is among the best on the team, and her on-base percentage of .600 indicates her ability to get on base consistently.

Frankie Reed has been another key contributor, hitting .473 with 26 hits in 55 at-bats. She has driven in 31 runs and scored 25, providing a steady presence in the lineup. Reed’s seven doubles and two home runs have added to the team’s offensive firepower. Her on-base percentage of .782 and slugging percentage of .709 demonstrate her effectiveness at the plate.

On the pitching side, Hope Randall has been a workhorse, pitching 97 innings and striking out 153 batters. Despite allowing 103 runs, her ability to limit earned runs to 46 and maintain a 3.32 ERA has been commendable. Randall’s control has been solid, with 110 walks and only five home runs allowed, showing her ability to keep the ball in the park.

Gianna Chiodi has provided valuable innings as well, pitching 16 innings with 25 strikeouts. Though her ERA is higher at 8.75, her ability to get strikeouts and handle pressure situations has been important for the team.

“We’ve had huge improvement,” O’Donnell said, “compared from this year to last year all around.”