The Vineyard softballers had a tough start to the season in a 24-1 non-league loss to Falmouth on Monday afternoon at MVRHS. The Clippers got off to a hot start, and pulled away with 12 runs in the sixth inning.
Summer Cardoza, Emily Mello, Ashley Brasefield, and Tianna Rambonga each had one hit, and pitcher Kia Maloney struck out three for the Vineyarders.
The opening day defeat notwithstanding, the 2019 season brings renewed optimism for the Vineyarders with the switch to the Cape and Islands League from the perennially powerful Eastern Athletic Conference. EAC heavyweights Bishop Feehan, Bishop Stang, and Coyle and Cassidy are gone from the schedule. Instead, the Vineyarders can look forward to first-ever league meetings with the Nantucket Whalers (April 27 away and May 11 at home). Other C&I opponents include Cape Tech, Monomoy, Rising Tide, Sturgis East, Sturgis West, and St. John Paul II.
Head Coach Samantha Burns, along with assistants Kelly Bowse and Julie Rodenbaugh, is confident that the Vineyarders have playoff potential this season. Senior captain Summer Cardoza carries a big bat, and leads a core of standout upperclassmen, including junior hitters Emily Mello, team mvp last season, and Tianna “Rambo” Rambonga, who has started everywhere from catcher to centerfield the past two seasons. Junior Kya Maloney won her first varsity start last season and will lead the Vineyard pitching staff. Sophomores include promising pitcher Eleanor Hyland, Hayleigh LeCoq, Hemilly Nascimento, Ana Clara Ribeiro, and Alyssa Strelecki. Ashley Brasefield, Summer’s sibling Bethany Cardoza, Sophie Palmer, and Marsha Stewart are the quartet of freshmen. Eighth graders Gabriella DeBlase, Genevieve Hyland (Eleanor’s sister), and Emma Williamson, along with seventh grader Leiliane Dias, are players, according to Coach Burns, who are “young and eager, and improving every day under the team’s strong leadership.”
The Vineyarders start the Cape and Islands League schedule at home on April 4 against the Cape Tech Crusaders. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:15 pm.
In other softball news, Coaches Burns, Bowse, and Rodenbaugh have started the Sirens Youth Program for ages 7-14. Early registration ends next week. For more information, visit mvsirens.org.