Softball: Boston Latin Wolfpack 9, Latin Academy Dragons 1

Friday afternoon at Malcolm X Park in Roxbury, the Boston Latin Wolfpack started the game with a very loud bang: a long triple blasted into left-field by Mary DeMoura. It ignited a big 1st inning for the Wolfpack. DeMoura eventually scored on a wild-pitch, and her teammates worked three walks to set the table for a bases clearing, 3-run Meghan Burns triple. The Wolfpack sent all 9 of their lineup to the plate in the 1st, and were up 5-0 before Latin Academy had a chance to hit.

To her credit, Latin Academy pitcher Sydney McGrath was able to settle down and get out of the inning without further damage. She didn't allow a run for the next 3 innings, and that kept the Dragons within striking distance.

Wolfpack pitcher Caitlin Berry was able to shut down the BLA lineup for most of the game. In her 5 innings of work, Berry allowed 0 runs, only 4 hits, and struck out 2. Only one Dragon reached third base while she was on the mound. Kate Casey pitched the final 2 innings for BLS.

Boston Latin added to their lead in the 5th thanks to some small ball. With Hilary Rockett being held on first, Kim Miller laid down a textbook bunt single up the first base line.

Then Mary DeMoura switched from power hitter to bunter, and sacrificed to put two runners in scoring position and put pressure on the Dragons. The Wolfpack took advantage of that pressure and generated 3 runs in the frame, without really hitting the ball hard.

Latin Academy was able to get a run back in the 6th with some aggressive baserunning. Danielle Baldassari reached on a hard hit infield single. A diving stop by DeMoura at short, who seemed to do everything in this game, held Baldassari to a just single. Baldassari then stole second, advanced to third on a fielder's choice, and scored on a wild pitch.

The game ended with Boston Latin claiming a 9-1 victory. Latin Academy played well, they just ran into a tough pitcher in Caitlin Berry, and too much damage was done in the 1st inning. This was also BLA's third game in five days. They played Monday and had a makeup game against Wellesley the day before.

Boston Latin improved to 13-4, and as of publication (May 17th), are in first place in their Dual County League division.

Latin Academy fell to 9-9 overall, but lead the South Division of the Boston City League.