June 11, 2014
By Craig Holt
Shepherd Hill Regional played some of its best softball in the recent Central Mass. Division 1 Tournament.
Adrian Flatgard; [email protected]
Top-ranked Nashoba Regional can vouch for that.
The fourth-seeded Rams were in top form during a semifinal against the Chieftains last week, gaining a 2-0 victory at Worcester State University’s Rockwood Field. Shepherd Hill was led by pitcher Brenna Foley, who twirled a three-hitter.
The setback closed the book on an outstanding season for Nashoba. The Chieftains ran off 19 straight wins to start the year. Holy Name snapped the winning streak in the regular-season finale.
Nashoba finished 19-1 overall and received a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Chieftains defeated Algonquin Regional, 3-2, in quarterfinal at home before facing Shepherd Hill.
The Rams played Holy Name in the final Saturday at Worcester State and lost, 9-1. Ironically, Shepherd Hill, which finished 17-7, knocked the Naps out of the tournament last year. The Rams have beaten the top seed the last two years.
The outcome in the semifinal put a damper on another impressive outing by Nashoba senior pitcher Emily Sargent. The right-hander went the distance and struck out 12. “She has been sensational all year,” Nashoba coach Steve Kendall said.