Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD - The Shepherd Hill Rams were on their way to what looked like an easy win until the bottom of the seventh inning when the Oxford Pirates scored six runs in a rally that fell short when they left the bases loaded.

Rams righty Cam Scotia came in relief and struck out Liam Pickett, leaving the tying and winning runs on base and in scoring position in what would have seemed like an improbable comeback against the 11-2 Rams.

by Steev Riccardo

AUBURN – The Oxford Pirates may not have the numbers on their track team but they constantly prove that quality is more important than quantity and that was the case once again this past week.

In a huge outdoor meet with SWCL powers Auburn and Northbridge, the Pirates looked solid and were competitive across the board.

Senior star Emily Dawidczyk looked very sharp, winning the long jump, the 200-meter dash, and the 110-meter hurdles even though she is still not quite 100%

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Lady Pirates had a huge week in girls softball winning three of four games against key SWCL opponents.

The Pirates defeated Millbury 4-3, Uxbridge 16-4, and Southbridge 10-3 with their only loss coming at the hands of the Tantasqua Warriors, 12-8.

Junior Jamie Brodeur hit a walk-off sacrifice in the bottom of the seventh and sophomore hurler Evelyn “The Dynasty” Marquis pitched a nifty six-hitter and scored the winning run as the Pirates squeaked by the Woolies 4-3 in a real barnburner on Monday (April 22).

Lady Pirates stymied by Wolverines pitcher, lose 4-2

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Lady Pirates found out this past Wednesday (April 17) why Leicester senior pitcher Lauren Tuiskula is considered one of the best pitchers in Central Mass.

The highly regarded Tuiskula (5-0) was outstanding, striking out 15 Pirates batters while giving up only two hits and at the same time—helping out her own cause at the plate going 3 for 3 in the 4-2 victory.

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD –  Oxford sophomore Dan Caissie delivered the goods, driving home Dennis Sneade with a pinch hit RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Pirates a dramatic walk-off 3-2 win over the Bartlett Indians in a tough encounter between the neighboring towns’ schools.

The game featured a good pitching duel between Pirates senior ace right-hander Nick Cardoni and rookie left-hander freshman John Hughes, who sparkled in his varsity debut performance on the mound.

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Lady Pirates split two games last week, defeating Bartlett 15-2 and falling to Auburn 8-7.

In their 15-2 win, sophomore Erica Fradsham made her varsity debut and pitched extremely well, while junior Jamie Brodeur banged out a pair of hits and drove in three runs.

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Pirates waited a whole week to play their first game of the season following a pair of cancellations due to field conditions, and when they finally did get to play had their game with the Northbridge Rams suspended after 10 innings with the scored tied of 7-7.

The Rams took a 6-3 lead in the top of the seventh inning, but the Pirates rallied in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.

Oxford Lady Pirates win 4-3 extra-inning thriller

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Senior Sarah Smith singled home the winning run in the bottom of the eighth, giving the Lady Pirates a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Northbridge Rams in a key Southern Worcester County league tilt on Friday afternoon.

With one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, sophomore Evelyn Marquis singled and moved to third when sophomore Callie Andrews doubled, setting the stage for Smith’s heroics, whose infield hit was enough to get the winning run home.

Dawidczyk wins 100 meters, second in shot put

Text and photos By Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Pirates boys’ team defeated both Grafton and Millbury in a outstanding performance that included seven first-place finishes, while senior captain Emily Dawidczyk won the 100-meter dash and just narrowly missed breaking the school record.

Co-captain Andrew St. Germain won the triple jump and the 100- meter hurdles, Alec St. Germain won the javelin throw, Co-captain Aaron Holmberg won the 800 meters, Mike McCarthy won the two- mile run, Connor St. Germain won the 400 meters, and Nick Rivelli won the discus throw for the boys’ team.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – For a team that lost some key players to graduation, the Oxford Lady Pirates are pretty confident going into this new softball season and with good reason.

With senior co-captain catcher Sarah Smith, who coach Jamie Hetherman calls “The Rock,” leading the way, the Pirates have plenty of offensive fire power returning to their lineup.