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Seniors shine for top-seeded Whittier

Tuesday, June, 07 By Kyle Gaudette

HAVERHILL — Whittier has rode the success of its stellar underclassmen all season. But in Tuesday's playoff game against Mystic Valley, it was time for some senior leadership to rise.

The biggest play in the Wildcats 8-1 quarterfinal victory over the Eagles came in the bottom of the first inning, when Christina Boutin crushed a triple to left field that cleared the bases and put her team up 4-0.

One of only three seniors on the team, Boutin knew she had to deliver. Her triple soared well over the head of the left fielder, and gave the Wildcats an early jolt.

"I was thinking I better smash this or coach is going to kill me," said a joking Boutin. "I wanted to do it for the team because I knew we were ready to go coming into this. So I wanted to set the pace for everyone else and be that senior leader."

"I wish we had a fence out there," said a smiling Whitter coach Cheryl Begin. "[Boutin] definitely would have cleared it."

An error by the third basemen plated Boutin, as the Wildcats got to Eagles eighth grade starter Emma McGlynn for five early runs.

Boutin finished with a team-high three RBI's, and was not alone in the upperclassmen heroics for the Wildcats. Fellow senior Ashley Wilson went 2 for 3 with two RBI's and a run scored. Wilson's double to left in the third ininng plated senior Lena Faranna for the Wildcats sixth run.

The five-run, first-inning cushion was plenty for Whitter starter Nicole Verrette, who went the distance allowing only two hits while striking out six. As a freshmen, Verrette has taken the responsibility to fill the void on the mound left by the departure of three-time Eagle Tribune All-Star Kayla Riley.

"She came in and saved us from losing a very strong pitcher last year," said Boutin. "She's come in and filled those shoes very nicely."

"As a freshmen she is so elevated and composed," said Begin. "She doesn't play like a freshmen at all. She does her job very well."

Whittier plays the winner of the No. 5 Amesbury vs. No. 4 St. Mary's of Lynn game which is Wednesday at 7 p.m. The next time the Wildcats will be in action is Saturday at 11 a.m. at Martin Field.  

"We know the teams well," said Begin. "We beat Amesbury in the Methuen tournament 2-1 a couple weeks ago. We've faced St. Mary's in the semis or finals three times over the years, and unfortunately have lost all three of those games. It would be unbelievable to win the sectional though. No one thought we would be 20-2 right now." 

Senior Stars

Whittier may only have three seniors, but they all stepped up Tuesday.

Player                    AB       H      RBI      Runs

Christina Boutin       4         1       3         1    

Ashley Wilson          3         2       2         1

Lena Faranna          4         1       0         2