Varsity Club, Championships, and Recognition
Weekly Athletics Update
Girls’ Varsity Softball had quite a week with two sterling comeback victories in addition to yet another 1-run verdict over Deerfield on Wednesday. Mackenzie Berg ’24 was the hitting star in Monday’s 8-inning victory over Nobles as Katie Foley ’24 (3 hits on the afternoon) scored the winning run in the 1st comeback win of the week. After pushing past Deerfield on Wednesday by a 7-6 count and Winchendon on Friday (5-4) the stage was set for Saturday’s showdown against a formidable Loomis-Chaffee team. WA scored 3 runs in the 5th to tie the score and pushed across the winning run in the 6th for the victory. Arie Erlich ’26 saved the day with a 4-batter close out in the 7th, securing the win and pushing the Hilltoppers to the top of the standings in the WNE league.
- Varsity Baseball is out of the gate in good form posting a 7-1 overall record with impressive wins at Cushing and at Exeter in New Hampshire on Saturday. Junior hurler, Mav Rizy pitched a gem on Saturday striking out 17 Exeter batters in the 1st of a twin bill sweep, both by a 6-0 margin. Gabe Pitts ’23 and Cole Carbone ’23 both had a productive week at the plate and senior right hander Max Marchetti shored up the back end of Saturday’s twin bill with another quality outing.
- JV Baseball had a nice bounce back outing on Friday against St. Mark’s as they pushed across a season high 11-runs to earn the victory. Dexter-Southfield protected their home field advantage on Wednesday in a win over the young Hilltoppers.
- Girls’ Tennis opened the week with perhaps their toughest test of the season as Class B power, Kingswood-Oxford came to Gaskill Tennis on Wednesday afternoon. In a match that clearly offered little separation to these two quality opponents, the visiting Wyverns held on for an exiting 5-4 win. On Saturday, Portsmouth Abbey’s nationally ranked # 1 player opened with a win but the Hilltoppers prevailed in the remaining matches to post a comfortable win on the road.
- Boys’ Lacrosse dropped a pair of road contests falling to the Winchendon School on Wednesday by a 12-9 score despite a 7-goal performance from Will Masterson ’24. On Saturday, the long bus trip to Bridgton, Me. had a similar outcome as the Wolverines firepower proved to be too much for the Hilltoppers to overcome. Final score was 19-7.
- Girls’ Lacrosse opened with a tough loss to Cushing on Wednesday and concluded their home stand with a 17-10 defeat at the hands of the Wheeler School. The 2nd half proved to be the demise as the visitors were able to hang on and eventually wear down the home team. The team will travel to Dana Hall on Wednesday looking to break into the win column.
- Golf opened their season at the Whitinsville Golf Club (Northbridge, Ma) and dropped a match play event (5-1) to a strong, balanced Cushing squad. Senior captain, Brendan Roy was the lone Hilltopper to emerge with a win but multiple WA players showed good form and spirit throughout the afternoon. WA will travel to Moses Brown on Tuesday in search of their 1st win of the young season.
- Track & Field made a long excursion on Saturday to Concord, NH as the host school, St. Paul’s welcomed WA, Cushing, and NMH on a beautiful afternoon. WA finished 3rd in the quad meet as senior captain, Jorden Afonso won the triple jump and placed 3rd in both the long jump and 400 meters. Ella Budzinski ’25 won the 3000 meter and finished 3rd in the 1500-meter run.
- Andover’s tennis team visited WA on Saturday for a late afternoon match and despite the best efforts from a determined WA team, emerged with a convincing victory over the Hilltoppers. WA will travel to Wilbraham & Monson next Saturday in search of that 1st win to jump start the season.
- Varsity Baseball is out of the gate in good form posting a 7-1 overall record with impressive wins at Cushing and at Exeter in New Hampshire on Saturday. Junior hurler, Mav Rizy pitched a gem on Saturday striking out 17 Exeter batters in the 1st of a twin bill sweep, both by a 6-0 margin. Gabe Pitts ’23 and Cole Carbone ’23 both had a productive week at the plate and senior right hander Max Marchetti shored up the back end of Saturday’s twin bill with another quality outing.
- Crew team raced on Saturday afternoon at Lake Quinsigamond and here are the results:
- Men’s Rowing
- 1st Boat 3rd place finish
- 2nd boat 3rd
- 3rd boat 3rd
- Woman’s Rowing
- 1st boat 6th place finish
- Men’s Rowing
- Crew team raced on Saturday afternoon at Lake Quinsigamond and here are the results:
Around the Diamond:
Worcester Academy Athletics and our Varsity Club will honor the 2023 Varsity Club Award winners on Friday evening here in the Megaron. Brad Brennan ’96 and Amanda Easley ’03 are this year’s recipients.
Co-Athlete of the Week:
Jorden Afonso ’23 – Track & Field
Katie Foley ’24 - Softball
