The GHS Softball and Baseball teams are slated to begin the 2-week journey to the Division 3 State Championship this Sunday. Seeded at #8 and #10 respectively, the NEC Champions will begin the State Tournament with a home field advantage. If the softball team should advance to the Sweet 16 with a win Sunday, they would play at home again. On the other hand, if the baseball team should win, they would have to rely on an upset victory in the opening round to play at home again. If not, they would travel to #7 Sandwich in the Sweet 16. With their historic regular seasons just out of the horizons, they both have the chance to do something historic: both win the State Championship in the same year.
SOFTBALL
The Gloucester High School Varsity Softball team is set to enter the 2025 MIAA Division 3 State Tournament, and they’re positioned for a deep playoff run. Concluding the regular season with an impressive 16-4 overall record, the Fishermen earned the #8 seed in a tough division with stiff opponents.
The 2025 regular season was nothing short of dominant for the Fishermen, culminating in an overall record of 16-4 and an exceptional 12-1 mark in NEC play. Their prowess was evident in the NEC-Lynch Division, where they finished with an undefeated 8-0 record.
Bryan Aiello’s squad started the season with a 9-game winning streak, which happened to be the second best in Gloucester history. The Fishermen’s most notable victories included wins over Marblehead (2-0) and St.Mary’s (2-1), which showcased their offensive firepower and solid defense. Other key wins included a hard-fought 10-9 victory over North Reading, an 11-5 triumph against Swampscott, and a solid 9-4 win over Masconomet.
While the season featured tough losses against strong opponents like Bedford (1-2) and Beverly (5-7), these contests served as invaluable learning experiences. These games exposed weaknesses that may have not be apparent during easier wins, forcing the team to improve and refine their game.
The Gloucester Fishermen’s success in 2025 is largely attributable to a core group of talented players, featuring a blend of seasoned veterans and impactful underclassmen. These athletes have consistently delivered clutch performances, both at the plate and in the field.
Leading the pitching staff as a freshman, Abby Noble has emerged as a true ace for the Fishermen. Early in the season, Noble showcased her dominance on the mound, striking out seven in Gloucester’s victory over St.Mary’s. Coming into the playoffs, the NEC All-Conference selection boasts 180 strikeouts and has the chance to reach 200. The freshman boasts a 2.262 ERA and 1.210 WHIP. Her ability to limit opposing offenses and rack up strikeouts has been a cornerstone of Gloucester’s defensive strength.
Junior first baseman Emma Carrapichosa has been a power threat in the lineup, batting an impressive .586, with 5 homers and 19 RBIs. The third-year starter transitioned from third base to first this season, maintaining a fielding percentage of .952. The 2-time NEC All-Conference selection will remain as a go-to for power during the playoffs.
Sophomore shortstop Mackayla Allen has emerged as a cornerstone of the team both offensively and defensively. The NEC All-Star boasts a team-high batting average of .370 and an impressive .514 on-base percentage. Allen’s speed and pop in the middle of the lineup are key to the Fishermen’s success. Defensively, her .846 fielding percentage highlights her reliability at shortstop, where she’s had key diving stops to save runs.
Behind the plate, catcher Olivia Madruga has been a game-changer to both the offense and defense. In a dominant 7-0 victory over Saugus, the NEC All-Star went a perfect 4-4 at the plate, including a long-ball triple, driving in 2 RBIs. Her .990 fielding percentage with 200 put-outs showcases her defensive prowess and leadership in managing the pitching staff.
Senior second baseman Ava Paone provides veteran leadership and consistent offensive production for the Fishermen. Posting the 5th best batting average, Paone leads the team in singles (18) and runs (24). Known for her small-ball action, the captain can hit for power too; she had two long-ball triples against Salem. The NEC All-Star has also been strong on the defensive side, posting a .921 fielding percentage.
Designated hitter Aleena Brown has also proved significant in the Fishermen lineup in her first year as a starter. In a 7-11 loss to St. Mary’s, Brown had a perfect outing at the plate, going 4-4 with 2 RBIs. She’s also made substantial impacts in games against Georgetown (2-2 with a sac bunt and 2 RBI) and North Reading (2-3, 2 RBI, and walk-off double). The Gloucester Daily Times Player of the Week provides pop in the lineup (.815 OPS, 1 HR) while also playing small ball (2 sac bunts, 2 bunts).
The Fishermen are also strong on the base paths, allowing their offense to rack up extra runs. Pinch runners like Maddie Goodhue (87.50 stolen base percentage), Adriana Orlando (100%), and Mia Rodolosi (83.33%) provide speed in between the lines.
The infield of Carrapichosa, Paone, Allen, and Laila Ciaramitaro (.875 fielding percentage) remains quick with the ball, making sharp plays across the diamond. The outfield of Dylan Gaetano/Kaiya Mineo (RF), Julia Carrancho (CF), and Tasara Frontiero (LF) are strong at times as well. Angela Russo has been strong in relief within the circle, striking out 15 in just 9 innings of play. Rounding out the group, Adeline Amero and Janelle Brancleone have provided strong at-bats during league play.
The Gloucester High School Fishermen enter the MIAA Division 3 State Tournament as the #8 seed, a strong position that reflects their outstanding regular season. Their playoff journey begins on Sunday, June 1, when they will host the #25 seed Medfield High School at Gloucester High School.
As the #8 seed, Gloucester has the significant privilege of hosting both the Round of 32 and, should they advance, the Round of 16. This home-field advantage is invaluable, allowing the team to play in a familiar environment, while garnering a large home crowd thanks to their local fan base.
Should Gloucester overcome Medfield in the Round of 32, their next opponent in the Sweet 16 would be the winner of the game between #9 Hanover and #24 Bishop Fenwick. No matter the winner, it would again place Gloucester as the host team, providing an opportunity to build momentum at home before potentially facing higher-seeded teams on the road.
As Gloucester advances deeper into the bracket, the competition will intensify significantly. They will face increasingly strong opponents, including higher-seeded teams like Dighton-Rehoboth (#1 seed, 19-2), Norton (#2 seed, 18-2), and Tantasqua Regional (#4 seed, 20-0). If the Fishermen and DR Falcons win their first two matchups, they would face each other in the Elite 8. If applicable, the Fishermen would face Tantasqua in the Final Four and Norton in the State Championship. To win these matchups, the Fishermen would have to adapt to elite-level pitching and executing under immense pressure. That’s been Gloucester’s biggest problem as of late; the Fishermen have dropped 2 games in the last inning by 5 runs. To come out on top in the state tournament, they will need to execute on offense and have minimal mistakes on defense. Gloucester has shown clear dominance and resilience throughout the regular season, and that will be key during later rounds. The key to their success will be their ability to translate their regular-season form into high-pressure playoff scenarios.
The path to a state championship will undoubtedly involve facing increasingly higher-seeded opponents, but the Fishermen have exhibited the necessary attributes to come out on top; they’ve had enough consistent performance and strong individual contributions to pull them through the tournament. If played right, the Fishermen have the chance to make a deep and memorable run in the tournament.
Final Ranking: 8/44
Final Record: 16-4
Next Game: Sunday, June 1st – #25 Medfield – 2pm – GHS Softball Field
BASEBALL
The Gloucester Baseball team has had a dominant 2025 season, finishing with a commanding 19-1 record. This was the best
regular season record in Gloucester’s history. Their dominance awarded the team the 10th seed in Division 3.
To put Gloucester’s success into perspective, the Gloucester Daily Times has the final area leaders for different statistics throughout the year, and Gloucester runs the board. For Hitting, Gloucester’s Lukas Albano and Brayden Francis are tied at #15 in the area for hits at 20, while Albano is ranked at #12 for runs at 18. For Runs Batted in (RBI), Jaylen Severino is ranked #5 at 18, while Nolan Aiello is tied at #11 with Giacomo Martell who both hold 14. For Stolen Bases, Nico Alves is ranked #6 with 15.
Where Gloucester really shines is in their pitching. The trio of Francis, Alves, and Martell has been
dominant this season, and the rankings show it. Francis is ranked #1 for wins on the mound with 7, and Alves quickly follows with 6 at #3. Martell is ranked #7 with 4. For strikeouts, Alves holds the #2 rank with 62, and Francis follows closely, having 61 at #3. Martell follows at #8 with 46. Francis is ranked #5 with 43 innings pitched. Martell follows at #8 with 40, while Alves is #12 with 38. To have three guys running the board for pitching means something; it’s what makes Gloucester such a force.
Sophomore Trey Marrone and senior Matt Smith are other Gloucester players to watch during this playoff run.
Gloucester’s main issue has been run production; while they still hold a strong 19-1 record, the Fishermen have scored at or over 5 runs in just 8 games. Twelve of their games have been won with less than a 5-run margin while three of their games have been won by a margin of 1. However, their offense is stacked with strong hitters; if the Fishermen play their cards right and perform dominant, they can easily out-hit their opponents.
The Fishermen are set to host the Round of 32 against #23 North Middlesex this Sunday at 4:00pm. If #7 Sandwich would lose their match against Dover-Sherborn, Gloucester would host the Sweet 16 at home. However, if the underdog Raiders fail to beat Sandwich, Gloucester would travel to play the Blue Nights. This all depends on a strong performance by the Fishermen in the first round; If they play their game right, as they’ve done throughout the season, they could easily advance to the next round and further.
Final Ranking: 10/43
Final Record: 19-1
Next Game: Sunday, June 1st – #23 North Middlesex – 4:30pm – O’Maley Middle School Baseball Field
