The Vineyard varsity softball team is off to a 3-0 start after the first week of play. The Purple swept a doubleheader, 14-2 and 13-6, Saturday at Randolph. In the opener, Sarah Strem pitched a complete game with 7 K’s to earn her first varsity win. Jessica Sonia went the distance in game two, striking out 10. Julia Sauter hit three doubles on the day and has five in the first three games. Alistair Rizza had the other big bat for M.V. and is 10 for 12 at the plate this season.
On April 3 in Oak Bluffs, Mariah Duarte crushed a grand slam to key an 11-run first inning as the Vineyarders romped to a 23-11 five-inning win over John O’Bryant of Boston in the season opener. Mariah singled in the third and finished 4 for 4 on the day. Alistair Rizza earned two walks to go 3 for 3, while Miranda Tokarz went 2 for 3 with a double.
Sophomore pitcher Jessica Sonia recorded her first varsity win.
Vineyard coach Donald Herman is pleased with his team’s solid start atthe plate but hopes for continued growth with his young pitching staff. “I’m encouraged by the way we’re swinging the bat,” he said. “Coming up, we’ll be seeing some much tougher pitching. The quicker our pitching improves, the more competitive we’ll become as a team because this game is so pitcher-dominated. Also, lowering the number of walks will also increase our chance of being competitive.”
The Vineyarders played at Bishop Stang Wednesday, host Bishop Feehan Friday, travel to Cambridge Rindge and Latin Saturday, and play Falmouth Monday in Oak Bluffs.
