Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD - When Nicole “The Franchise” Mangaudis walked off the mound following last season’s playoff loss to Grafton, it was the end of an era for the Lady Pirates.

Mangaudis had pitched in every inning of every game for four years under Coach Jamie Hetherman and in most cases you would think that she would be impossible to replace, and in many ways, she will be.

Enter sophomore Evelyn Marquis, who will not only take over the reigns on the mound but brings a team-leading .452 batting average to the ballpark as well.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Pirates and head coach Justin Richards had quite a run a year ago before losing 3-0 to Mt. Everett in the state semi-finals held in Western Mass.

Despite losing several key players, the Pirates should be in the mix again this year.

No matter who you talk to, everyone seems to agree that the town of Oxford knows baseball and year after year at every level they are competing for some sort of a title, and this year will be no different.

There is no question that the Pirates lost some great baseball players, led by one of the best pitchers in Central Mass in lefty Nick Lemay, who is now playing for Becker College.

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Oxford High School senior Tyler Barrie achieved something that is rarely done in high school sports when he was chosen captain for three different sports this year - football, basketball, and baseball—an accomplishment that really only tells half his story.

During his sophomore year in the middle of football season, Barrie was faced with a much bigger challenge in life than going to class and playing football. Awoken by an early December morning phone call right before Christmas, he was told that his father Scott had passed away.

“It was shocking, it was something I didn’t expect,” said Barrie. “I talked to him on the phone the night before and we made plans to talk again the next day and I remember waking up to a phone call and I walked into the next room and my mom (Kim) was crying. She had a blank stare on her face, and then she told me.”

Finish season at 14-8

by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The fourth-seeded Oxford Pirates saw their season end this past Tuesday (February 26) with a 72-60 loss to the 13th- seeded Gardner Wildcats in Division 2 district playoff action.

Coming off a semi-finals loss to Quaboag after getting their first win at the Clark Tournament in four years, the Pirates had been playing really good basketball. Unfortunately they went up against a team which, despite its 8-12 record, plays a much tougher schedule, and they were outmatched.

Worters comes in third in 1000 meters

Text and photos By Steev Riccardo    

BOSTON – Oxford High School senior track star Emily Dawidczyk shone at the MIAA All-State meet this past Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Arena in Boston, winning both the 55-meter hurdles and the long jump.

Dawidczyk recorded an 8.29 in the 55-meter hurdles and a personal best 17’ 9 1/2” in the long jump in a dazzling effort.

“I wasn't expecting two wins at all,” said Dawidczyk. “It felt really good to win the hurdles after hitting two last week. Right before my race I really had to focus in and pump myself up, I was nervous that I'd hit a hurdle again. Getting back in the 8.2 range definitely meant a lot, it makes me feel a little more confident going into New England's.”

District playoffs next

by Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER –Few people gave the Oxford Pirates any chance at all in their semi-final Clark Tournament match-up with the highly ranked Quaboag Cougars, but the Pirates gave a valiant effort and made it interesting for about three quarters before falling 64-49 on Tuesday evening, February 19.

Pirates’ senior co-captain Tyler Barrie hit an incredible shot from beyond half court at the buzzer making it 11-10 Cougars after an exciting opening quarter.

End ten-year Clark hex

By Steev Riccardo

WORCESTER – The Oxford Pirates won their first Clark Tournament game in almost ten years and advanced to the semi-finals and a marquee match-up with Quaboag with a 52-51 win over a scrappy Maynard Tigers team on Monday afternoon at the George F. Kneller Athletic Center at the Clark University gymnasium.

The Pirates opened a 16-10 first quarter with a balanced scoring attack led by a pair of hoops from senior co-captains Tyler Barrie and Mike James and a 3-pointer by Donny Freeland.

Oxford senior signs with Sacred Heart University

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – When Emily Dawidczyk last week signed her letter of intent to attend Sacred Heart University in the fall to major in nursing and play Division 1 soccer, it was a great moment in Oxford High School history.

Dawidczyk has had nothing less than an incredible sports career at Oxford.  She is the all-time leading scorer (88 goals) in school history in soccer and holds several school and league records in track and field. She is quite possibly the greatest athlete in the school’s history and maybe the best girls’ track runner to ever compete in the Southern Worcester County League.

 

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD- The Oxford High unified Special Olympics basketball team will be competing this coming Sunday, February 10, in a qualifying event in Weston in preparation for the Special Olympics, which will take place at Clark University in Worcester on March 9 and 10.

The team practiced this past Saturday at Oxford High School in uniform to get ready for the qualifier.

Oxford High School Principal Kevin Wells, who also coaches the team said, “I had an older brother who had Down Syndrome and my masters degree is in Special Education; I have always had a passion for students with learning disabilities, as well as with regular education kids.”

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – The Oxford Pirates outscored the Millbury Woolies 51-20 and had 12 steals in the first half en route to a huge 78-46 victory Friday (February 1) night, which earned them their tenth win of the season and a district playoff birth.

The Pirates stormed out of the locker room and played a flawless first quarter dominating the Woolies and outscoring them 29-8.  Senior co-captains Mike James and Donnie Freeland led the early attack with eight points apiece.

Senior co-captain Tyler Barrie joined the hit parade in the second quarter, burying a pair of deep 3-pointers and helping his team build its enormous 31-point half-time lead.