Patriot softball team loses by one run in epic slugfest

  For the second time this season, the Revere High School softball team staged a high-scoring and exciting affair against the East Boston Jets, on Tuesday afternoon at St. Mary’s Park. The young Patriots emerged triumphant in the first meeting between the two squads at East Boston a few weeks back, but the result was different on Tuesday, as the visiting Jets escaped with a 25-24 win.

  Revere Head Coach Megan O’Donnell praised her team’s effort in the loss, citing the performances of freshman pitcher Isabella Qualtieri, junior shortstop Riley Straccia and outfielders Arianna Koehane (senior captain) and freshman Danni Randall in the field.

  Offensively, the Patriots had their bats in high gear on Tuesday. Senior captain Emma Cassinello slammed a two-run home run over the fence while Keohane and freshman Frankie Reed each drilled three hits apiece. Reed connected for a big double late in the game. Freshman catcher Shayna Smith had a big day with four hits in six plate appearances. Also contributing to the offensive outburst were Brianna Miranda, who belted a key sixth-inning hit, and Lea Doucette, who added two base hits. Jordan Martelli made solid contact at the plate, as O’Donnell noted that the sophomore second baseman has had a hot bat all season.

  Back on April 6 at East Boston, the Patriots prevailed in a similarly wild 19-16 contest. Revere sports several freshman players in its starting nine this year. So the team is mostly in the learning and development part of the process at this stage. With the team’s power and penchant for putting up big offensive numbers so far this spring, the future looks promising.

  O’Donnell also congratulated the junior varsity team for its 17-10 win over East Boston on Tuesday. It was the third victory of 2023 for the JV Pats.

  The Patriots played at Lynn Classical on Wednesday and travel to Lynn again on Monday, May 1, for a clash against Lynn English, which beat Revere, 32-20, in another high-scoring battle in the season opener. The Patriots are back home next Wednesday, May 3, to host Medford.