Durfee baseball takes down defending Division I champion: Top performers (Apr. 22-27)
FALL RIVER — The Durfee baseball team is in a hot groove near the midway point of the season.
The Hilltoppers won their fifth straight game on Saturday, beating the defending Division I state champion Taunton High, 3-2, in a non-league matchup at B.M.C. Durfee High School.
"[We] played a clean game defensively, which was the difference in the game," Durfee head coach Mike Martin said.
Aidan Travers pitched a complete game win for the Hilltoppers (7-1), giving up just two runs, four hits, two walks and struck out one. He was also went 2-for-3 at the plate. Matt Almedia led the offense with three hits, including a double and two RBIs.
Outdoor Track
Durfee
The Hilltoppers discus relay team of Jasmine DoSouto, Adunoluwa Olubanwo, and Lily Cook are Division 1 state relay discus champions after a new personal-best mark of 121’10” at the Division 1 state relays. Thysh Garcia-Martinez, Aaliyah Alexandre, Lauren Barnett, and Shayla Harrison smashed the 4x200 meter relay record running 1:54.22 set back in 2021.
Friday
Softball
Somerset Berkley 12, Old Rochester 0
The Raiders won their third straight game behind the pitching of Sydney Bednarz in their mercy-rule victory over Old Rochester. Bednarz fanned 15 batters and walk one in the circle for SBR (5-3; 3-2 in SCC). She also went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a double and three RBIs. Makenzie Jacob had three hits, including a double, triple, scored two runs with three RBIs. Tatum Swanson (sacrifice fly, run scored and two RBIs), Brooke Crombie (two runs scored) and Julia Costa (two RBIs, two runs scored) each finished with two hits. Julia Moreira (RBI, run scored), Victoria DeMatteo (walk, double, RBI, run scored), Emma Javier (walk) and Samantha Comeau (two runs scored) each had a hit.
Case 16, Fairhaven 1
The defending Division 4 state champion Cardinals scored early and often in their win against Fairhaven. Bre Fontes had two hits, including a home run and a double. Megan Smith and Skye Dupre (four RBIs) each went 3-for-4 at the plate . Meg Pereira (three RBIs) and Lila Alvarez each finished with a pair of hits. Pereira went the distance for Case (8-1), giving up just three hits.
Diman 9, Westport 3
The Wildcats dropped a home game against Diman. Mackenzy Ponte went the distance for Westport (2-3) with seven strikeouts. She also had a double at the plate. Isabella Babb collected an inside the park home run. Molly Costa finished with a double and two RBIs.
Baseball
Durfee 4, Dartmouth 3
Matt Almedia pitched six strong innings to lift the Hilltoppers to a win over Dartmouth. Almedia allowed three runs in the first inning and shut Dartmouth down for the next five innings for the win. Dylan Silviera pitched the seventh and got his second save of the season for Durfee (6-1). Jeyden Espinal, Aidan Travers and Ben Sherry each had two hits. Durfee responded with three runs in the bottom in the first and scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the second inning on a Yandel Pichardo infield single.
Fairhaven 11, Case 1
The Cardinals dropped a road contest against Fairhaven. Adam Gracie had a double and run scored for Case (4-6). Dylan Amaral contributed an RBI while Will LeBoeuf and Aedan Borges each collected hits for Case (4-6).
Boys Tennis
Somerset Berkley 4, Westport 1
The Raiders took four of five games against Westport. Zack Costa (6-4, 6-4) and Max Petit (6-4, 6-3) each won their singles match for SBR (4-2). Evan Furtado had his first varsity win, playing with Jasper Troutman, at second doubles, 6-2, 2-6 and 6-4. Jack Keane won the Wildcats (3-2) lone match at third singles, 7-5, 6-2. First doubles team of Luke Coelho and Fotis Machairas lost to Kelan Langlois and Calvin Perrotty won a first doubles marathon in a third set tiebreaker, 11-13.
Girls Tennis
Somerset Berkley 4, Westport 1
The Raiders took four of five game against Westport. Julia Lanczycki (6-1, 6-4) and Ava Aguiar (6-0, 6-0) each won their singles match for SBR (2-4). Kori Tickel and Josi Borden won at first singles, 6-1 6-0. Reagan Killoran and Sophie Rocha won at second doubles, 6-0, 6-0. Abby Forbes claimed her first singles win for the Wildcats (1-4), 6-1, 6-3.
Boys Volleyball
Durfee 3, Bellingham 0
Danny Matuszek had 26 assists for the Hilltoppers in their home win over Bellingham. Chris Milfort finished with 15 kills and 17 digs for Durfee (5-4). Braeden Bartley had 10 digs while JO Olubanwo had six kills and eight digs. Mason Fretias capped the scoring with 10 digs.
Thursday
Baseball
Westport 6, Holbrook 3
Ben Bernier earned his first career varsity win for the Wildcats, pitching three innings in relief in a win against Holbrook. Bernier gave up just one hit. Max Gallant pitched the seventh, earning the save. Gallant (four stolen bases) and Joey Guild (two stole bases) led the hitting with two hits for Westport (3-3).
Softball
Holbrook 6, Westport 5
Tess Silvia went 3-for-4 with a triple, three RBIs and two runs scored for the Wildcats in Holbrook's home win. Jayda Pequita, Sam Bouchard, Makayla Grace, Mackenzy Ponte, Molly Costa, and Julia George each added a hit for Westport (2-2). Grace pitched a complete game with six strikeouts.
Boys Tennis
Durfee 4, Taunton 1
First singles Will Rumsey prevailed in a three-set battle (6-2) along with captain Jack Fitzgerald in a three-set battle (6-4) in the third set as the Hilltoppers topped Taunton. First doubles of Chrispin Sokol and Xavier Inacio dominated their match with a 6-0, 6-3 victory for Durfee (3-1).
Somerset 5, Bourne 0
Jasper Troutman played his first career varsity singles match and picked up his first victory by 6-0, 6-1 for the Raiders in their win over Bourne. Zach Costa was also a winner at first singles for SBR (3-2).
West Bridgewater 3, Case 2
Owen Borges won his match at first singles for the Cardinals in West Bridgewater's road win. Case (1-5) also won at first doubles.
Girls Tennis
Taunton 4, Durfee 1
Maggie O’Connell was the lone winner for the Hilltoppers at second singles in Taunton's home win. She won the match, 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 in the third-set, tie breaker for Durfee (1-3).
Bourne 3, Somerset Berkley 2
Ava Aguilar won his singles match for the Raiders, 6-3, 6-0 in Bourne's win. Second doubles of Reagan Killoran and Sophie Rocha also won 6-4, 6-4 for SBR (1-4).
West Bridgewater 3, Case 2
Owen Borges won his match at first singles for the Cardinals (1-5) in West Bridgewater's road win.
Wednesday
Baseball
Durfee 6, Bridgewater-Raynham 1
Four different pitchers did their jobs on Wednesday as the Durfee High baseball team defeated league opponent Bridgewater-Raynham on the road. Keith Strong, Yandel Pichardo (win), Matt Sherry and Dylan Silviera each were sensational on the hill.Offensively, Joe Silvia was 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs. Jeyden Espinal, Aidan Travers, Ben Sherry and Matt Almedia each collected a hit for Durfee (5-1; 2-0 in Southeast Conference).
Case 7, Greater New Bedford 6
Dylan Amaral drove in Adam Gracie with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Cardinals to a come from behind win over Greater New Bedford. Will LeBoeuf’s one-out single scored Lucas Beaulieu from second to tie the game at 6-6. Jack Orton pitched 3 ⅓ innings in relief, allowing a hit, a run while striking out five. Reid Ulmschneider picked up his first varsity win, pitching 1 ⅔ in relief, allowing a hit, no runs and striking out one. Offensively, Lucas Beaulieu had two hits, a run scored, and an RBI. Aedan Borges had a double, a walk, a run scored, and an RBI. Amaral had a hit, a run scored and an RBI.
Fairhaven 5, Somerset Berkley 3
The Raiders lost on the road to league opponent Fairhaven. Alex Crook had a hit and an RBI for SBR (5-3). Camden Hoyle, Landon Richardson, Liam Meehan and Benjamin Jardim each collected a hit.
Softball
Somerset Berkley 14, Fairhaven 0
Victoria Dematteo pitched a one-hitter and fanned nine batters in the Raiders' mercy-rule win over Fairhaven. Dematteo also went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a double and RBI. Sydney Bednarz had four hits, including a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Julia Costa went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.Lillian Brisson (two RBIs, two run scored), Brooke Crombie (run scored), Makenzie Jacob (two RBIs), Tatum Swanson (two RBIs, run scored) and Emma Javier (run scored) each contributed a pair of hits. Sophia Thornton finished with a hit and run scored.
Case 8, Greater New Bedford 1
The Cardinals bounced back from their first loss of the season with a win against league opponent Greater New Bedford. Skye Dupre led the way for Case (7-1) with three hits, including a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored. Bri Fontes collected a pair of hits, including a double. Nicole Rebelo and Meg Pereira each had two hits. Lily Picard also chipped in with two RBIs. Lila Alvarez went the distance in the circle, allowing four hits, a run while striking out eight.
Bridgewater-Raynham 5, Durfee 3
Despite a solid outing by Kaitlyn Coutu, the Hilltoppers lost at home against league opponent Bridgewater-Raynham. Coutu pitched the complete game and had an inside-the-park home run along with two RBIs. Julia Rumsey, Paisley Parisee, Katerina Rumsey and Rachel Silva each had a hit. Durfee (1-5) did not commit any error.
Boys Lacrosse
Upper Cape Cod 10, Westport 1
Thomas Bernard scored his first goal for the Wildcats in Upper Cape's home win. Aiden Thadeau had 16 saves in net for Westport (1-5)
Boys Tennis
Westport 5, Diman 0
The Wildcats swept all five matches against Diman. Sam Van Saun (5-7, 7-5, 7-6; 10-2 tiebreaker), Brody Girard (6-0, 6-0) and Jack Keane (7-6 ;7-2 tiebreaker, 6-0) each won their singles matches for Westport (3-1; 2-0 in Mayflower). Luke Coelho and Fotis Machairas won at first doubles, 6-0, 6-3 while Avery Howell and Ethan Stewart won in straight sets at second singles, 6-1, 6-3. The Wildcats' Connor Kennedy fell in a tiebreaking third set.
Girls Tennis
Diman 4, Westport 1
Senior captain Kaelyn Jones secured another win at first singles for the Wildcats in Diman's home win. Also playing well for Westport was the second doubles team of Ella Baldwin and Gabby Juristo, who lost a tough tiebreaker 6-4, 6-7 and 6-10.
Boys Outdoor Track
Brockton 109, Durfee 19
The Hilltoppers lost their meet against league opponent Bridgewater-Raynham. Curtis Mowatt (400) and Kayden Kheav (long jump, 200) each earned a second place finish. Jomo Kieta placed second place in the shot put and Lawrence Harrison took second in the 110 hurdles.
Atlantis Charter 76, Excel Academy 41
The Tritons came out on top for their first win of the season against Excel team. Junior Thalys Silva was a triple winner for Atlantis, winning the long jump (21'5''), triple jump (39') and javelin (101'5''). He also placed second in the 100 (11.94). Shawn Kalunga took first in the mile (5:9.96) and the 2-mile (11:26). Kelson Kalunga was a double winner in the 400 hurdles (1:10) and the 110m hurdles (20.33). Other top finishers were Patrick Benevides (shot put, javelin), Xavier Hudson (javelin), Djouby Antoine (high jump), Ryan Ferreira (400), Noah Soares (400) and Preston Sousa (800).
Girls Outdoor Track
Brockton 73, Durfee 41
Thysh Garcia Martinez broke the sophomore record in the 100 meter dash (12.7) for the Hilltoppers in Brockton's home win. The previous record was held by Alex Rego (2000). Avery Motta won the 800 and Abigail Saunders had a personal-best time in the 400 hurdles, finishing second. Shayla Harrison also had a personal-best mark in the 200 dash, placing second. Katherine Santiago finished third and Ashantae McFarlane came in third in the 100 hurdles for Durfee (0-1). Charlotte Ferreira (mile), Kacey Curran (discus; 800), Mia Tieng (long jump) and Sylvie Brito (200) also fared well.
Atlantis Charter 51, Excel Academy 42
The Tritons sealed their first victory of the year by placing first in the 4x100 relay against Excel. Kailany Ortiz-Garcia, who was a member of the 4x100 relay, finished first in the high jump (4'4''), the 100 (13.05) and second in the long jump (13'2''). Cidney Barboza and Olivia Aguiar each finished first in the 400 hurdles and the 400, respectively. Sadie Oliveira and Julia Ribon took first and second in the shot put. Abby Pineau placed first in the 200 (31.6) and seventh grader Sophia Ferreira finished second in the 800 (3:31).
Boys Volleyball
Brockton 3, Durfee 1
Danny Matuszek had 38 assists for the Hilltoppers in Brockton's road win. Chris Milfort had 18 kill shots and Josh Sanon had 16 kill shots. Elias DaSilva and Mason Freitas were great in serve reception.
Tuesday
Softball
Diman 3, Southeastern 2, 8 inn.
Kacie Lynch scored the winning run in the top of the eighth inning to lift the Diman softball team to an extra inning win over league opponent Southeastern on the road. Lynch, who drove in Nya Martinez with the tying run, finished 3-for-4 with an RBI for Diman (4-1; 2-1 in Mayflower Large). Alexah Pedder (sacrifice bunt), Danielle Mello, Natalie Raposa and Courtney Boies each had a hit in the victory. Ashley Carvalho went the distance for the Bengals, striking out four batters and allowing only an earned run. Evey Fernandes had two putouts and two assists from right field.
Westport 21, Atlantis Charter 4
Mackenzy Ponte fanned 15 batters in the Wildcats win over Atlantis Charter. Pontes also helped her cause at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Makayla Grace had five hits and scored five runs. Jayda Pequita went 5-for-6 with three RBIs. Tess Silvia collected four hits and scored four runs. Aubrie Verville had a pair of hits, including a home run and two RBIs.
Baseball
Westport 9, Atlantis Charter 3
Connor James and Bryton Graham each had a pair of hits and three RBIs in the Wildcats win over Atlantis Charter. Owen Boudria also had two hits for Westport (2-3). Max Gallant stole four bases while Dane Leary (double) reached base three times. Connor James threw a four-hit, complete game effort on the hill with 11 strikeouts.
Boys Tennis
Dartmouth 5, Durfee 0
The Hilltoppers first singles player Will Rumsey play extremely well, 6-4, 7-5, but lost a close battle in Dartmouth's home win. Durfee (2-1) travels to Taunton on Thursday.
Girls Tennis
Dartmouth 4, Durfee 1
Brooke Tabicas was a winner at third singles (6-2, 6-2) for the Hilltoppers in Dartmouth's road win. Maggie O'Connell dropped a heartbreaker at second singles for Durfee (1-2) in three sets, 7-5, 2-6, 9-11.
Boys Outdoor Track
Diman 79, Bristol-Plymouth 57; Southeastern 93, Diman 34
The Bengals split their meet against Bristol-Plymouth and Southeastern. Phoenix Bennett won the 400 (51.9; state qualifier), 100 (11.4) and and placed second in the long jump (18'9") for Diman (4-1). Cashton Richard placed first in the 400 hurdles (60.1) and was second in the javelin at 127'5". Max Desroches took first in the the high jump (5'8"; state qualifier). Bryce Medeiros had a pair of second place finishes — triple jump (38'9") and high jump (5'6"). MacCauley Crossman was second in the mile (5:17) while AJ Gesner was third in the javelin (118'3"), third in the triple jump (37'11") and high jump (5'4").
Girls Outdoor Track
Diman 101, Bristol-Plymouth 35; Southeastern 71, Diman 65
The Bengals suffered their first dual meet loss in two years in their split against Bristol-Plymouth and Southeastern.Grace Flattery set two school records, winning the 400 hurdles (1:11.3) and the triple jump (34' 5") for Diman (4-1).Emma Foley extended her school record in the 100 hurdles (16.5) and won the long jump (16'2). Inez Medeiros won the 100 (12.9) and 200 (26.7). Sam Santos won the javelin (67'11) while Joleah Rivera took second (67'9). Other top performers were Katie Miranda (shotput; 27'5), Lylah Thibeault (mile; 6:40), Isabelle Chekares (800; 2:43) and Kaylee Miranda (discus; 72'6).
Monday
Baseball
Matt Sherry drove in Yandel Pichardo with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Hilltoppers to an exciting victory over league opponent New Bedford. Pichardo reached on an infield hit and scored on Sherry's line drive single up the middle. Aidan Travers pitched seven innings for Durfee (4-1), giving up no runs, six hits, walk, and struck out one. Dylan Silviera pitched two innings in relief for the win (2-0), striking out one.
Case 3, Apponequet 1
Braden Sellers picked up his first win of the season for the Cardinals in their road win against undefeated league opponent Apponequet. Sellers pitched 4 ⅔ innings, allowing an infield hit and an unearned run. Aedan Borges pitched two shutout innings in relief, striking out two to earn the save. Sam Deady had a hit and an RBI. Will LeBoeuf scored a run and an RBI. Lucas Saltmarsh had a hit and a run scored.
Somerset Berkley 11, Greater New Bedford 0
The Raiders blanked league opponent Greater New Bedford in a mercy-rule win on the road. Landon Richardson was superb on the hill for SBR (5-2), allowing no runs, a hit, no walks while striking out four. He was also 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Ethan Santos pitched the final inning, allowing a hit. Jayden Cruz had a pair of hits, scored three runs and stole two bases. Liam Meehan (double) and Mason Medeiros each had a hit and two RBIs.
Dartmouth 7, Westport 3
The Wildcats (1-3) dropped a non-league contest to Dartmouth. Bryton Graham led Westport's offense with two hits. Max Gallant and Dylan Kirby each had two stolen bases. Kasen Avila scored two runs and contributed a triple. Luke Finglas pitched five innings with 10 strikeouts.
Softball
Somerset Berkley 10, Greater New Bedford 1
Brooke Crombie pitched the complete game for the Raiders, allowing three hits, three walks, an earned run while striking out 11 in the Raiders win over Greater New Bedford at home. Samantha Comeau went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Julia Costa finished with two hits, scored two runs and had an RBI for SBR (3-3). Lillian Brisson (walk, run scored, two RBIs), Tatum Swanson (walk, two runs scored), Emma Javier (2 RBIs), Makenzie Jacob (two runs scored) and Sydney Bednarz (run scored) each had a hit.
Apponequet 8, Case 3
The Division 4 defending state champion Cardinals lost their first game of the season against league opponent Apponequet. Lily Picard had a pair of hts, including a home run for Case (6-1). Bre Fontes (two doubles), Nicole Rebelo (double) and Megan Smith each finished with two hits.
New Bedford 18, Durfee 6
The Hilltoppers lost to league opponent New Bedford on the road. Katerina Rumsey collected two hits and two RBIs for Durfee (1-4). Paisly Parisee also contributed a pair of hits.
Boys Tennis
Diman 3, New Bedford 2
The Bengals won their first match of the season against New Bedford on the road. Winners for Diman (1-1) were second singles Rafael Infante (6-2, 6-1), third singles Andrew Librera (6-0, 6-0) and first doubles Christian Rodrigues/ Kaidyn Fournier (6-1 6-1).
Fairhaven 5, Westport 0
Third singles player Jack Keane dropped a tough, tiebreaker for the Wildcats in Fairhaven's win. Westport (2-1) hosts Diman on Wednesday.
Girls Tennis
Fairhaven 5, Westport 0
Sam Barboza and Gabby Juristo were sensational at second doubles for the Wildcats before falling in a tiebreaker, 0-6, 7-6, 3-7 in Fairhaven's win. Westport (1-2) travels to Diman on Wednesday.
Girls Outdoor Track
It was another record broken by Hannah Santos. The Cardinal senior star captured another school record, this time in the triple jump, with a leap of 35’7” against league opponent Dighton-Rehoboth.
Boys Volleyball
Durfee 3, Dighton-Rehoboth 1
Danny Matuszek had 38 assists to help lead the Hilltoppers to a home win over Dighton-Rehoboth. Chris Milfort (21 kills), Josh Sanon (17 kills) and JO Olubanwo (10 kills) were great at the net on offense for Durfee (4-3). Milfort also had 13 digs, while Elias DaSilva had 13 digs.
Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Chezsports
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Herald News top high school performers for Apr. 22-27
