Article by: Tom Nappi
The Norton Lancers softball team officially clinched the TVL title Tuesday (May 24th) with a 6-0 victory over Bellingham. Norton currently stands at 17-1 on the season.
Sophomore Pitcher, Kelly Nelson (17-1) has pitched all 18 games for the Lancers and leads the TVL with a 0.17 era. This season Nelson has completed all 18 games, pitched 12 shutouts and struck out a league leading 263 hitters. Nelson has 103 more strikeouts than the 2nd leading Bri Mirabile of Hopkinton. Nelson has also been outstanding at the plate hitting a .468 (29 for 67) with 14 runs scored, 8 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 Home Run and 20 RBI’s.
Sophomore’s, Alexandra Frontino and Olivia Pietersen have helped lead the team offensively. Frontino is hitting a .443 with 11 RBI’s and a team leading 23 runs. Pietersen is hitting a .317 with 12 runs and 14 rbi’s. Overall Norton has a team batting average of .360 and has scored 123 runs (avg 6.8 runs per game).
The Lancers may be young but they are loaded with talent and should be towards the top of the TVL for the next few years. Norton will compete in the Division 2 bracket this post season and will be a top seed. Last year, Norton was led on the mound by 1st year pitcher, Kelly Nelson and finished the regular season 18 and 2 and went on to defeat Bellingham in the South Division 2 Championship 2-1. Norton lost in the Division 2 state semi-finals to North Champion, Reading 3-1. West Champion, Hampshire took down Reading 2-1 in the Division 2 State Championship.
