PWN Python baseball seniors Shawn Robidoux, Jesse Vaiknoras, Clay Morin, and Billy Cann


by Marc Ayotte Key wins by both the Python girls’ softball and


boys’ baseball teams highlighted senior night last Wednesday, May 25, on the grounds of Pelham High (PHS). For the girls, the 14-1 thrashing of visiting Pembroke allowed the Lady Pythons to finish the season with four wins against four defeats at home—a record with which Coach Todd Lozeau was very pleased. At the time, it also kept them mathematically alive for the playoffs. While the PHS girls were beating up on the Lady Spartans, a hundred yards away towards the woods, the Pelham boys dug deep and found yet another way to win. Their 5-4 victory completed the Pelham sweep over visiting Pembroke and gave the Pythons their eighth win of the season, ultimately qualifying them for post-season play. The Pelham baseball team entered senior night in dire need of a victory if they were to continue their playing days past the regular season schedule. With more pressing matters at hand, the Pythons sprinted through the pre-game ceremonial recognition of seniors Shawn Robidoux, Jess Vaiknoras, Clay Morin, and Billy Cann, showing their collective recognition instead to the importance of the game to be played. Precariously positioned in the Division II standings, the Pythons faced a must-win situation as they vied for the final playoff opening. The exemplary, never-say-die attitude of the Pythons prevailed. Once again with their backs to the wall, another Python stepped up to the plate. Actually, this time it was literally the mound. Pelham senior pitcher Shawn Robidoux came up supreme for his mates and the partisan crowd that showed up for the crucial contest. On ‘his’ day, ‘Robes,’ as he is affectionately referred to by his teammates, pitched the clutch game of the year, keeping opposing batters at bay by effectively mixing up his fastball and deuce. The Python hurler, who battled an early season injury, pitched a complete game gem, giving up only two earned runs and striking out seven while scattering five hits. After the gutsy performance by his Pythons, Head Coach Matt Stone marveled at their character, determination, and perseverance. “This team is something special. They have had playoffs [and more] on their mind since the start of the season. Watching this group come together, work at practices, and put together a win streak at the end of the season is really uplifting,” said Coach Stone. The Pythons gave starter Robidoux a nice cushion to work with early in the game when they responded to the Spartans’ top-of- the-first-inning plate crossing. The home team pounced on Pembroke starter Autrey Gates by opening the offensive floodgates. A timely, two-RBI single by Python Devon DeCarteret capped a four-run, ‘back at ya’ rally, giving Pelham a 4-1 lead after one. A plethora of infield hits and Python miscues snake-bit Robidoux on the mound as Pembroke was able to tie the score at four in the top of the third. With the score still tied and in the most unlikely of scenarios, the Pythons took the lead for good in the home half of the fifth inning. After Pat McLean singled to left, David Bronson bunted his teammate into scoring position. DeCarteret then followed with a seemingly routine sacrifice fly to right, pushing McLean to third base. But a ‘keystone cops’ re- entry of the ball back into the pitcher went sailing toward the Pelham dugout, allowing the runner to score—the ultimate Python snake bite—can you say, ‘playoffs, here we come?’ Coach Stone characterized his team and spoke optimistically of the playoffs. “The team as a whole is very good, we have no individuals, and players are seeing


what happens when a whole team shows up—not a bunch of ‘me’s. We have a way to go yet, but we are going to continue to work and get better … we are looking forward to playing our game and competing with the best in the state. It will be very exciting,” said Coach Stone. The Pythons did travel to Portsmouth the


following day to close out their regular season schedule on the windy coast. The Clippers are playing baseball with historic implications. They are not only undefeated on the season, on May 19 they set the national record for the longest winning streak when their 10-2 victory over Pembroke was their 76th in succession. With two wins recorded after that game and the ESPN cameras staged to capture footage of the team that would take Portsmouth off their perch, the Pythons arrived. Oh well, end of suspense. The Pythons became the Clippers’ 79th consecutive victim by losing 8-0, closing out their 2011 campaign at 8-8. After finishing the season with team confidence


at a fever pitch, Python David Bronson displays the competitive fire that is burning in the Python dugout as they head into post-season. “We started off in 16th [place] after the loss to Portsmouth, then a couple things went our way and we ended up moving up to 15th. We are prepared to play who we have to. We might be 15th, but the playoffs are about who is hot and we are ready to make some noise,” said Bronson. As one of the senior leaders on the squad, left-fielder Jesse Vaiknoras shares Bronson’s outlook. “Baseball is a sport where you need to have a short memory; playoffs is a whole new game, so we’re not worrying about anything that happened during the regular [season]. As far as we’re concerned, a new season starts now and we just have to play one game at a time. We know if we play our game, we can beat anyone and that is what we plan on doing,” said Vaiknoras. Lady Python Season Ends Although it was not a successful year in terms of making the playoffs for Coach Lozeau’s girls’ softball team, the Lady Pythons stayed tough all season long. As a young team, they experienced a roller coaster season with respect to wins and losses; however, their individual and collective efforts were a season-long quality. On senior night, the Lady Pythons, with the BBQ waiting just


June 3, 2011 - 9 Sports


beyond the left-field fence, made short work of their opponents with a mercy rule- induced pounding. That’s how good the Pythons could play on the season. Unfortunately, walks, walks, walks, and untimely hits after the walks pretty much dashed Pelham’s playoff hopes in the two games preceding senior night. The Pythons finished the season strong by winning three of their last seven games, closing out the season on the road with a solid effort despite a 2-0 loss at Portsmouth. At first glance, that doesn’t appear to be too impressive. However, given that three of those losses were by a combined five runs and they held huge leads in two of them, Pelham was realistically within a few free passes of making the post-season—an incredible showing by this young, battling team. In graduating only two seniors in the names of Amanda Blake and Kayle Aubrey, Coach Lozeau is very excited about next season. The Python coach smiles when he thinks of the talent coming back for next season, headed by his ladies in the circle—pitchers Jordan Parece (freshman) and Hannah Schaffer (sophomore). Additionally, the Pythons will be strong at the plate with the return of Alex Hall, Elissa Moguaro, and defensive standout Hannah Paitchel. The Python home finale saw the hosts explode for nine runs in the home half of the third, adding to their 4-0 lead after the first inning. Leading the Pelham nine-hit attack was Alex Hall, who launched a fly ball towards the cookout area, resulting in a two-run home run—her second of the season. Hall finished with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk while going two for two. Elissa Moguaro came up big, going 2-3 with a single, double, and three runs batted in. Senior Amanda Blake was 1-2 with two runs, while Kayle Aubrey scored once on her final home game. After the game, the parents of the Lady Pythons pitched in and treated the team to grilled burgers and chicken, complimented by an assortment of snacks and desserts. They were also


before


Section Two


Senior Night Sweep on the PHS Base Paths – Boys Make Playoffs, Girls Mercy Pembroke


Lady Python softball senior night: Kayle Aubrey, Coach Todd Lozeau, and Amanda Blake


gracious enough to let yours truly down a couple of ice-cold Dr. Peppers during the festivities that recognized Python seniors Amanda Blake and Kayle Aubrey. Nice season, Lady Pythons. With the 2012 season featuring seven returning starters from this year’s team, Coach Lozeau has high expectations and leaves Lady Python supporters with next year’s uplifting theme: “I don’t expect us to [just] play in games—I expect us to win games.”


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