Reorganized and ready: Case softball set to defend their state title
NORTON — Case head softball coach Shannon Silva had to devise something in the offseason after the graduation of four key starters on her 2023 Division 4 state champion team.
When the start of the season began in March, Silva wasn't sure how her plan would work after she plugged in five different starters, including moving outfielder Skye Dupre to second and first baseman Breanna Fontes behind the plate to fill the void of her daughter — South Coast Conference All-Star catcher and Herald News Player of the Year Olivia Silva.
On Friday after the defending Division 4 state champion Cardinals mercy-ruled Division 3 opponent Norton (ranked fourth in power rankings) 14-1 for their 12th straight win, it seemed clear Silva has done her homework quite well.
"I told the girls after the game that this is a statement win," said Silva, whose team finished the regular season at 18-1. "We have spent a lot of time, taking about this type of win compared to a Seekonk or Bourne type of win. I told them I couldn't be more proud of them. We needed this type of win going into tournament."
Although Silva had a core of players from last season's championship team back, most played a small role in the lineup. Returners Lily Picard, Megan Smith, Dupre and Fontes received the majority of playing time in the field last year.
One of Silva's great decisions came when she inserted freshman Lila Alvarez as the starter. The right-hander pitcher tossed a three-hitter against the Lancers, allowing a walk while striking out seven in five innings. Alvarez has a 15-1 record in her first season in the circle.
"She had two games this season where she did not have her best stuff," Silva said. "But what I love about Lila, even though she is a freshman, she never makes excuses about a bad (outing). "She just works even harder to get better."
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Silva has also received great contributions this season from Meg Pereira, Madilyn Botelho, Ella Preston, Nicole Rebelo, Brooke Perron, Caitlin Shea, Cailyn Durand and Olivia Williams.
Silva said she is pretty confident with her group heading into the playoffs.
"We've talked all season about as long as we take care of our business in between these lines," she said. "If they take care of business like they did today, they'll be fine. It's that time of year where you have to manage time off, being sharp out there and engaged. We need to stay focus. Three more weeks."
Notes
Dupre, Rebelo, Preston, Picard and Williams each led a 12-hit attack with two hits. Botelho and Alvarez chipped in with a hit ... this is most runs Norton has allowed all season.
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: Case softball enters the playoffs on a high note
