Madi Bradford ’17 stepped up to the plate to bat against Governor’s Academy on Friday, with two teammates already on base. Bradford struck the ball hard, hitting a home run and driving herself and two teammates to home plate, scoring three runs against Governor’s.
Andover Softball earned a 14-4 win this week against the previously undefeated Governor’s on Friday and suffered a loss against St. Paul’s School on Wednesday. After the team’s first loss since the 2014 season, its record now stands at 4-1.
On Wednesday against St. Paul’s, Andover allowed two runs in the seventh inning to give up a one run lead.
Co-Captain Victoria Bergeron ’16 said, “I would say overall, it was a pitchers duel. Both teams struggled to get hits. It was pretty uncharacteristic of us, the way we played offensively. [The St. Paul’s pitcher] was a good pitcher and had a good rise ball and I think that was fooling a lot of us. There were many more strikeouts than we usually have as a team, so we struggled offensively.”
Agaisnt Governor’s, Co-Captain Kristina Haghdan ’17 pitched all seven innings, allowing only three hits and walking one batter. In total, Haghdan struck out 11 batters.
In addition to Andover’s dominant pitching by Haghdan, the offense pulled through. Andover made 13 hits, securing five runs at the top of the first inning and taking an early lead. Sidney Holder ’17 hit a triple, and Jacquie Diffley ’16 swung for five RBIs.
Jeanine Moreau ’16 said, “I think one of the team’s biggest strengths is supporting each other on and off the field. On Friday, when we had a tough inning we all rallied together, motivating each other to stay focused and work harder.”
Head Coach Peter Drench wrote in an email to The Phillipian, “Starting with long bus rides, away games always pose challenges. On the other hand, playing strong teams and handling the challenges that come with away games can only make us better.”
Andover will take on North Reading High School in a doubleheader this Saturday.
