Essential Nantucket since 1821
(May 2, 2024) The softball team snapped out of its slump at the plate with 15 hits and 17 runs Wednesday against Rising Tide, but it wasn’t enough to come away with a win, losing 19-17.
Nantucket trailed by eight heading into the top of the seventh, where the Whalers rallied to score six runs to put the tying run in the on-deck circle when the game came to an end.
“Our bats were alive the whole game. We were able to start hitting right in the first inning, which is what we’ve been working on,” coach Grace-Anne Tornovish said. “We've been working all week on hitting and it showed today in the game. A lot of good hits, a lot of good base running.”
Rising Tide answered Nantucket’s two runs in the top of the first with three runs of their own. The Whalers led 7-3 heading into the bottom of the third, when the Herons pulled ahead for good with a nine-run inning, taking advantage of six-straight walks by pitcher Seren Cristler.
“Our fielding looked really good. We just couldn’t get out of the third inning, and that inning just kind of took a toll on us,” Tornovish said.
Lola Caron singled twice and scored three runs for Nantucket, while also playing strong defense at second base, Tornovish said. Madison Silva and Yahely Del Rosario Gomez also scored three runs each, with the Whalers’ top three batters contributing over half of the team’s offense.
Annie Ard had a double and single at the plate, scoring once.
Tornovish said Lil Wullschleger pitched well in her first relief appearance of the season, while catcher Aliza Mansfield did a good job behind the plate.
The Whalers, now 2-4 on the season, will look to get back in the win column Friday against St. John Paul II. The game will be played on-island due to a scheduling conflict at the Lions’ home field. In their first match-up of the season April 10, also played on-island, Nantucket won 17-5.
