#6 Taunton, 6 vs. #11 Durfee, 7 – Final – Click here for a recap of this game.
TAUNTON, Mass. – For the 11th-seeded Durfee Hilltoppers, the third time was the charm.
The team from Fall River defeated #6 Taunton Tigers, 7-6, in the first round of the MIAA Division 1 South tournament on Thursday, after the Tigers had taken the two regular season meeting games against their non-league rivals this year.
 ......
Full Article

​#6 Taunton, 2 vs. #11 North Quincy, 3 – Final

TAUNTON, Mass. – Most of the boys’ volleyball teams in the playoffs boast a strong outside hitter-middle combo, but not many have the complementary and depth pieces that the top-seeded Taunton Tigers possess.

While seniors Lance Law and Lens Esquil spearhead the Tigers attack, classmates Collin Hunter, Malik Charles, and junior Alex Tavares complete a relentless attacking corps, one that helped the hosts pick up a 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-15) sweep over ninth-seeded Brookline inside the Rabouin Field House at Taunton High School.
The result marked the program’s first-ever playoff win at home.
“I think that’s what separates us is that we’re able to bring in that second layer of offense,” said Taunton head coach Toby Chaperon. “A lot of teams are expecting a lull or hoping for a mismatch, and they may or may not get it from us because we have the athleticism throughout the lineup. Being able to bring in that second wave of hitters and a middle, that helps us.”

Law (nine kills) gives the Tigers flexibility with the ability to hit as an outside hitter or an opposite and Esquil (10 kills) provides power up the middle. But when the Tigers rotate, there isn’t a soft spot in the lineup. Hunter (eight kills) is dangerous as an outside hitter, Charles (five kills) can hit in the middle or outside, and Tavares is a presence at the net at 6’4.
“I think that has brought us to where we are right now,” Chaperon said. “That’s really the difference maker. We know going into any match there are going to be some good hitters, a good middle…but if our other guys are on, I don’t know if there is a better complementary trio in the state. There’s still a long way to go but I feel highly about my guys. If they are playing the way I know they can play, we can do alright.”................................................

Full Article

Taunton freshman Kelsey White has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for May 27 through June 2. White is the 31st player selected for the 2017-18 school year and the eighth player chosen during the spring season.

White, a rookie pitcher, helped Taunton win four games last week, including wins over city rival Coyle & Cassidy, Div. 2 power Dighton-Rehoboth, and league rival North Attleboro. White started three games last week and allowed no earned runs in 18 innings pitched, while also helping out the Tigers at the plate with several big hits.

“In my opinion, Kelsey is a very deserving recipient of the Hockomocksports.com Player of the Week award with wins last week over Coyle-Cassidy, Dighton Rehoboth, and North Attleboro,” said Taunton head coach Dave Lewry. “She allowed zero earned runs in 19 innings while striking out 24 and walking only two. As a freshman, Kelsey has developed into the ace of a deep and talented Tigers pitching staff with command of all her pitches and a calm, confident presence on the mound. She also helps herself defensively with quick reflexes and at the plate with timely and clutch hitting.”

Taunton started the week with a Memorial Day doubleheader and White shutout Coyle over four innings, while striking out seven and allowing only two hits. In the second half of the doubleheader, White produced at the plate with a pair of triples and a pair of RBI as Taunton beat New Bedford 13-0. The next day, White tossed a gem against D-R, striking out five, scattering five hits, and allowing only three unearned runs to sweep the season series with the Falcons.
​
On Friday against the Rocketeers, in the regular season finale, White made it three starts in a row without an earned run allowed, as she tossed a complete game shutout. She struck out 12 and gave up just four hits, retiring 17 straight batters between the second and seventh innings. For the season, White has a record of 10-2 and an ERA of 1.36. She has struck out 89 hitters and walked just six. She is also batting 0.436 with 19 RBI for the Tigers.