The Westport girls softball team scored 4 runs in the sixth inning to come from behind and beat West Bridgewater 10-9 in their first league game of the season at home on Thursday afternoon. Third baseman Peyton Mahjoory hitting clean up, provided the bulk of the offense, smashing 3 hits with a triple, 2 doubles, a run scored and 5 RBI. The senior drove in one run in the first, another in the third and three more in the sixth inning to give Westport a 10-7 lead. 

West Bridgewater got two back in the top of the seventh to cut the lead to 10-9, before Wildcats pitcher Mackenzy Ponte struck out Mckenzie Craig to end the game. The sophomore struck out 14, walked 8, and allowed 11 hits and 9 runs in 7 innings of work.

Westport bats waken late in the game

Westport belted 11 hits off West Bridgewater pitcher Mckenzie Craig. Seven came in the last tow innings. Sophomore catcher Tess Silvia hitting third, went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and 3 steals and 3 runs scored. Senior left fielder Braylin Montigny hitting second, went 2 for 3 with a triple, 4 steals and 3 runs scored. Sophomore shortstop Jayda Pequita went 1 for 4 with a run scored, Eight grade second baseman Morgan Pacheco went 1 for 3 with a run scored and junior Avery Avila went 1 for 3 with a run scored. 

Westport fell behind early in the game as West Bridgewater scored five runs in the first two innings and led 6-3 after four innings. Westport scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to even the score 6-6. 

Ponte held West Bridgewater to a single run in the top of the sixth, then the Wildcats’ hitters took over. Pacheco reached on a base hit to lead off the bottom of the sixth. She stole second and scored on a base hit by Avila. Montigny walked to give Westport runners on second and third. Tess Sylvia singled to load the bases for Mahjoory who slammed a two-out double into the gap. All three runners scored to give Westport a 10-7 lead. 

Ponte struck out two in the top of the seventh to preserve the victory. 

Westport roughs up Bishop Connolly 22-13

Westport also roughed up Bishop Connolly 22-13 on Saturday morning to win their second league game in a row and increase their overall record to 3-2. 

New faces in the lineup

The Wildcats have added several new faces to their line-up this season. Morgan Pacheco, an eighth grader, is starting at second base and batting seventh this season. Eighth grader Makayla Grace is starting at center field and batting sixth. Grace is also the Wildcats backup pitcher. 

Athletic junior, Avery Avila, known for field hockey and golf, began playing softball this season. 

“Avery is a natural athlete,” said Westport head coach Monique Jones. “And can hitter.” 

Coach Jones had Avila at DH against West Bridgewater. 

Other new faces are sophomore Holly Roy who is Coach Jones is using as a utility player and freshman Molly Costa a junior varsity call up that can play first base. 

Mahjoory who plays third base and Montigny who plays left field, are the teams two returning seniors. 

Sophomore battery mates Ponte and Silvia are beginning to settle in and hit their stride. 

“Mackenzy has definitely grown in confidence,” said Coach Jones. “And Tess is a force behind the plate. She blocks everything.” 

Though the team is young, Coach Jones has more talent to work with this season and looking for her young team to blossom. 

“Although we are still a young team, I feel that this should be a very successful season for us. I am looking forward to watching the girls grow into a cohesive unit,” she said.