A perfect 15-0
Coming off three wins last week, including last Thursday's doubleheader sweep of Southeastern, the Lady Whalers entered Monday's contest against Sacred Heart hoping to keep their prefect season alive. The girls were also looking to beat the team from Kingston for the second time in a week, and to doubly avenge the basketball team's loss to the Saints in last winter's Division 4 South Sectional tournament finals.

Grace Anne Tornovish holds up on a pitch during Monday's game. ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent

The latest outcome was never in doubt, as the Lady Whalers earned their 15th straight victory of the spring with a 17-1 dismantling of Sacred Heart Monday afternoon. Olivia Hull struck out nine in a contest that was called after five innings because of the lopsided score. Nantucket scored 10 runs in the first inning and 7 more in the fourth to cement the victory.

Coach Chris Maury was pretty much speechless after the game. "I don't know what to say," he said. "They just flat out took it to them."

With their spotless record, the girls have already secured a playoff berth and are now playing for home field advantage. Beginning Monday, the team was also looking at a string of four games in four days as a kind of marathon tuneup to the postseason.

"We have three to go now," Maury said Monday. "Our mission stays the same, to take one game at a time."

The regular season ends Thursday at Holbrook. Playoff seedings are expected to be announced next Tuesday. Based on their record, the Lady Whalers should be getting at least one game at

home during the tournament. I

- Steve Sheppard