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With still one game to go in the regular season – at non-league Maynard on Saturday, May 23 – the Winchester High softball team (10-9) is returning to the Division 1 state tournament for the first time since 2013 after shutting out host Waltham, 13-0 in a five-inning mercy rule game on May 21.
The Red & Black started the final week of the regular season with an 8-5 win over host Belmont on May 18. They then lost at Reading two days later, 16-5, before beating up the non-league Hawks.
In the game against Belmont, Coach Jason Capodanno’s team had to stage a comeback to secure the win. The Marauders were leading, 5-1 after three. But the visitors got three back in the fifth, and won the game in the seventh with four more runs.
Ella Centurelli was the big gun in this game with a single, double and triple that accounted for four RBI. As a team, they only had eight hits. Gabby Katz picked up three of those remaining five hits, all singles, while also driving in a run. Mia Watson singled in a run, as well. Nora Harstad collected a single, and scored a run.
Tessa Capodanno (7 hits, 2 walks, 3 runs, 4 strikeouts) started the game in the circle, and went the first 5.1-innings. Harper McDaniels (0 hits, 5 walks, 2 runs, 2 strikeouts) tossed the final 1.2-innings, and was credited with the win.
After getting humbled by the Rockets, the Winchester girls took their frustrations out on Waltham. They wasted no time to put this one in the win column. Following a seven run third inning, they were comfortably in front, 12-0.
Mia Stuart powered the 12-hit attack with three hits (single, double, triple) that produced three RBI. She also scored a run. Anna D’Antonio was next in line on offense with a single and a double, and she scored both times.
Carys Gugliotta and Centurelli were credited with two singles and two RBI. Gwen Gaiko and Capodanno each singled home a run.
Capodanno (1 hit, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts) pitched all five innings to earn the shutout win.
After Saturday’s game against aforementioned Maynard, the Red & Black will begin to get ready for the state tournament, while waiting for the pairings to be announced on Wednesday, May 27. As of May 22, they are seeded 31st in the Division 1 power rankings.
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
