Lady Pats softball aims for the top of the GBL

By Dom Nicastro

The Revere High School Patriots softball team is hungry to get back to the postseason this year after finishing 7-14 and missing The Dance a year ago. The Patriots opened up with a 10-7 win over Lynn English and a 10-4 loss to Medford.

Third-year coach Megan O’Donnell thinks her team will be right in the mix in the Greater Boston League and one of the teams to watch.

“Medford was a strong team last year, but I believe after playing them … we gave them a game,” O’Donnell said. “Everett, Classical should be good this year along with us. We should be up at the top. That’s my belief. … People can say that I’m cocky, but I just have that much faith in my kids, because they can definitely play with the best.”

Revere wants to tighten up its fielding after some errors against Medford. The Patriots outhit Medford in that recent loss, 8-6. Isabella Qualtieri led the way for Revere with two hits. She brings solid defense out of center field.

Danni Randall, who picked up the win over Lynn English, took the mound again against Medford and had five strikeouts while walking six. She allowed six hits and just four earned runs over seven innings.

“The last few games it’s her positive attitude,” O’Donnell said when asked what Randall brings to the team. “I know pitching is not the easiest position because all eyes are on you and you feel like you’re alone out there sometimes. But Danni throws strikes. The better she gets the more strikes she throws, so it’s been good. Danni consistently throws hard every pitch. She throws the right pitch, and her teammates make the good plays. She’s always positive.”

Freshman Caleigh Joyce, a catcher, pitcher and DH, had an RBI against Medford. Junior Jordan Martelli, an outfielder, also drove in a run against the Mustangs.

Lea Doucette, a junior first baseman and incoming all-star, and senior Qualtieri, stole multiple bases. Revere had seven stolen bases in the game.

“We started off the game with an error,” O’Donnell said. “We just couldn’t come back after we gave up three runs in the first. We couldn’t fight back. But Danni pitched well.”

Revere brings senior leadership this year in the form of Qualtieri, Riley Straccia, a middle infielder, twin sister Ally Straccia, also a middle infielder, and Louisa Santos, a third baseman who brings positivity.

Sophomore catcher Shayna Smith, junior Doucette, sophomore infielder Frankie Reed and the freshmen trio of Joyce, Anna Doucette and Gianna Chiadi will all contribute on the diamond this spring. Juniors Brianna Miranda and Martelli are expected to contribute as well.

“We’re definitely a solid batting team,” O’Donnell said. “But I think if we come together and just play with confidence, and not get nervous, we’ll definitely be able to pull it together toward the end of the year.”

Revere volleyball takes opener, drops two

The Revere boys’ volleyball team blanked Lynn English, 3-0, to open the season.

Ruben Rodriguez had 11 kills, and Larry Claudio added 19 assists.

“We’ve got lots of areas for growth,” Revere coach Lianne O’Hara Mimmo said. “We’re working on increasing our energy/spirit stamina.”

Brookline, a state powerhouse, topped Revere, 3-0, in the other game.

“Each set we improved and competed better,” O’Hara Mimmo said.

Revere lost a league match to Medford. Rodriguez had 17 kills, and Claudio had 25 assists.

“We are currently down one junior middle hitter making all of our matches more challenging,” Lianne O’Hara Mimmo said.