Sports

Andover Offense Explodes in Three Game Week to Power Softball to Two Victories

Captain Stephanie Clegg ’08 had a four-hit performance and knocked in six runs last Friday, as Andover pounded Noble High School, 12-2. Andover followed up this performance with a win and a loss. All three games this week were played without ace pitcher Michelle Hollebeke ’08, who was out with a knee injury. In its first game of the week, Andover left no doubt against Noble. Andover had production from every part of the order, including a two-run blast in the first inning by shortstop Sarah Boylan ’09. Veda Eswarappa ’08 tossed five superb innings for her first win of the season. Shannon McSweeney ’11, came in to relieve, tossing the final two innings in her first pitching performance for Andover. On Saturday, in a wild make-up game against Andover High School, Eswarappa once again pitched for Phillips Academy for her second win in as many games. Andover’s biggest game of the week, however, came against Brooks last Monday, a match-up of two powerhouses of the league. Andover’s Eswarappa got her third straight start, and limited a talented Brooks lineup to just three runs in 5 1/3 innings. Andover’s bats came alive in fourth, started off by left- fielder Onorato, who grounded a single up the middle to start things off. Duddy then layed down what was intended to be a sacrifice bunt, but after an error at first, Duddy was called safe. Onorato then scored with smart base-running, taking third base, which was left uncovered. On an errant throw to third base, Onorato took home, scoring Andover’s first run and tying the game, 1-1. With Duddy on second, Clegg drove a towering fly ball which dropped in left field, scoring Duddy to give Andover its first lead of the game. Clegg was then able to score on two passed balls later in the inning. Brooks came back and tied the game, 3-3, in the next inning, and it remained that way until the bottom of the sixth. Andover took the lead on two triples, the first by Onorato on a deep drive to centerfield. Two batters later, Boylan tripled to score Onorato, and Clegg followed with a sharp single to give Andover the 5-3 advantage entering the last inning. However, Brooks rallied with four runs in the top half of the seventh to regain the lead. Andover couldn’t get the offense rolling again, falling in order to give the 7-5 result.