Even though the Cougars are dealing with a fairly different roster from 2017, they’re off to a hot start this season with an 11-2 win over Tri-County, extending Old Colony’s winning streak to three games.
Jacob Worden led the Cougars with two hits, knocking in two runs in Monday’s win. Nick Furtado also knocked in two runs with an RBI double. Reese Vandal laced a double, walked twice, and scored twice.
Matt Bumpus, who also started on the mound for the Cougars (3-0, 2-0 Mayflower Athletic Conference), had a triple RBI and scored two runs. From the mound, in his first varsity start, Bumpus went five innings, striking out six and surrendering one hit. In addition, he didn’t allow a run to score.
“I didn’t know what to expect (entering the season),” said Old Colony coach Craig Lincoln. “Brand new team this year … a lot of guys taking on new spots and new roles … working to get to know each other on the baseball field. Communication has been the last thing we’ve been talking about and they’ve been picking it up pretty well.”
Lincoln isn’t exaggerating when he says “brand new team this year” when you consider Bumpus isn’t the only starting pitcher without varsity pitching experience. In fact, no Old Colony starting pitcher has varsity pitching experience prior to 2018.
“Last group was together from sophomore year on,” Lincoln said. “This is a very humble and well-behaved group that gets along together. It’s been a fun adjustment. Never know what you’re going to get with a new group.”
Old Colony softball didn’t have the same success against Tri-County, losing 7-2, dropping to 1-1 (1-0 Mayflower Conference) this season. Center fielder Lauren Patnaude had Old Colony’s only RBI in the game, knocking in two runs on a single in the seventh inning. The only multiple hits came from lead-off hitter Katherine Kirby, who finished the day 2 for 4 for the Cougars.
Old Rochester
Meg Hughes was dominant for Old Rochester girls’ track and field in the first meet of the season, which wound up going in the Bulldogs favor 102-34 over Dighton-Rehoboth.
Hughes finished first in the high jump (4-feet, 8-inches), the two-mile (12:16), and the one-mile (5:38). Though Hughes overshadowed them, Leah Bourgeois and Madisen Martin also had big days, winning two individual events each. Bourgeois finished first in the long jump (14-feet, 9-inches) and the 200 (28 seconds). Martin won the shot put (30-feet, 6-inches) and the 800 (2:28.3). Martin also helped win the 4×400 relay (4:29), along with Michaela Mattsen, Emma Carroll, and Sahyann Jaques. Mattsen won the triple jump (31-feet, 5.5-inches), as well. Caroline Murphy won the 400 hurdles in 72 seconds, Maya Doonan won the 400 in 66.7 seconds, and Rachel Demmer won the 100 hurdles in 17.2 seconds.
Boys’ track and field also won its opening game against Dighton-Rehoboth, 72-64. Matt Brogioli and Harry Smith each won two events for the Bulldogs. Brogioli won the long jump (20-feet, 7-inches) and the high jump (5-feet, 10-inches). Smith won the shot-put (41-feet, 4-inches) and the 100 (11 .4 seconds).
Marcus Rita won the triple jump (38- feet, 9.25-inches) and Evan Tilley ran the two-mile in 11:15. Tucker Guard won the 400 hurdles in 65 seconds, and Anthony Childs won the 400 in 55 seconds. Adam Sylvia won the 8000 in 2:04.7, and Will Garcia won the 200 in 23.6 seconds.
Both Old Rochester boys’ and girls’ track are 1-0 overall and within the South Coast Conference. They’re back in action on Saturday at Apponequet for the SCC relays.
Old Rochester baseball didn’t have the same luck as track and field in the season opener, losing 4-3 to Seekonk. The Bulldogs took a 3-0 lead in the second that turned into 3-1 by the bottom of the second. Two innings later, Seekonk took the lead at 4-3, which stuck. Chris LaBell was the only Bulldog with multiple hits, finishing 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Price Afonso had an RBI-double while both John Farrell and Noah Maxwell each had an RBI single. David Arruda took the loss for Old Rochester, surrendering four runs, three of which were earned, three hits, five walks, and a hit batter, striking out three over four innings. Adam Breault pitched in relief of Arruda, tossing two clean innings.
High School Sports Update
By Nick Friar