Scott Strikes Out 18 Batters In Softball's 8-2 Win Over Rising Tide

Olivia Scott struck out 18 batters Friday afternoon to help lead the Whaler softball team to an 8-2 victory over the Rising Tide Herons. This was the third win of the season for Nantucket, who is hoping for a second half push that can lead them to the playoffs.

After scoring two first inning runs, the Whaler’s offense was a bit flat for the next few innings as the Herons scored one run in the second inning and one run in the third inning to make it a tie game 2-2.

The game remained tied until the fifth inning when Nantucket scored three more runs following a two-RBI single by Yahely Del Rosario Gomez, which she was able to score on following a pair of errors, to take a 5-2 lead.

The five runs was more than enough for Scott on this day, but Nantucket scored three more insurance runs in the sixth inning to make it an 8-2 game thanks to contributions from the bottom part of their lineup including Scott, Shelbi Harimon, Annie Ard, and Sophia Yelverton.

Smart and aggressive base running was key for the Whalers on Friday, taking advantage of passed balls and wild pitches. They hoped to carry that momentum into their Saturday matchup with the Bishop Connolly Cougars but were unable to slow down their offense in a 17-8 defeat. Most of Bishop Connolly’s damage was done in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring 12 runs combined through the two innings.

The Whaler’s offense remained sharp in the loss, and it was an improved showing from the first matchup between these two teams last month when the Cougars beat Nantucket at home 18-3. It was the Whaler’s season opener.

One notable performance was from junior captain Sydney Ard, who has been the Whalers most consistent player this season. She had a leadoff home run in the second inning of Saturday’s game.

The Whalers are now 3-8 this season. Their next game is today, May 8 against the Dennis-Yarmouth Dolphins at 4 p.m. The Dolphins are 4-7 this season and beat Nantucket in the first matchup this year between the two squads by a score of 16-4.

Photography below is by Chris Tran.