Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

OXFORD – Oxford High School senior John Simkus has always had a passion for building bridges and now he will pursue this passion and attend UMass Amherst in the fall and major in Engineering.

Simkus, the son of Joanna and Rooney Simkus, grew up in Oxford, where he has lived his whole life with his parents and his twin sister Christina.

Focuses on Chapter 70 funding

by Becky Harvey

OXFORD - Oxford resident and mother Brenda Ennis has been a member of the Oxford School Committee for the past nine years.  She originally ran in 2004 because she wanted to be sure the school system to which she was sending her then-young daughter was the best it could be, but she soon realized that she was passionate about making it better for all.  Though Ennis believes that many improvements have been made during her tenure as a committee member, she knows that there is still much to be done.  Knowing this, she has decided to run for a fourth term.

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.