Perfect 11? Methuen three-sport sensation Tardugno fires up one final, magical Ranger ride | Sports

As cool as the ride was well into last June, there was always “next year” for Methuen High shortstop Brooke Tardugno.

Well, next year is here, and the urgency/importance of Tardugno’s 11th and final collegiate season with the Rangers hasn’t escaped her notice.

“I will definitely miss it very much. I made so many good memories with all of my teammates on all of my teams, and I’m sure to miss my coaches and teammates,” said the senior three-sport Eagle-Tribune All-Star.

Tardugno and Rangers, state semifinalists a year ago, got off to a perfect 5-0 start in the early stages.

And while the midfielder, tied by Saint Anselm, was briefly unlucky, she is back at the forefront of the order, making a splash up front while strengthening defence.

“She still sees the ball well and just hits people hard early in the season,” said Methuen coach Jason Smith. “Even so, she drew five walks and was hit by a pitch for an (on-base percentage) of almost .400. She also stole five bases without getting caught.

“On defense, she already has 10 putouts and 14 clean assists and has been involved in numerous doubles games. She is our spark.”

As impressive as she has been for Methuen High Athletics over the past four years, Tardugno can afford to be a little thoughtful.

“I’m going to miss playing for Methuen every day out there and playing all three seasons,” she said.

“It means a lot to me just to be able to play for my city. Doing well in all three sports and working hard every day for the people who are watching, participating and standing right behind us.”

Going a quarter-season unbeaten shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. The Rangers bring back a bundle. And the experiences from the postseason a year ago are simply priceless.

“I loved it. It was definitely very special. It was so much fun. You play every game and you know it could be your last,” said Tardugno. “We just all stuck together. We all got it enjoyed it and we were all excited to be back again this year.”

“At the start of this season we knew we were going to be a very good team and we had high expectations for ourselves.”

Tardugno is definitely looking forward to rejoining her sister Stephanie at the next level – Saint A’s – next season. She has been keeping an eye on the Hawks, who will be relegated to the Northeast 10 tournament in the coming weeks.

But there is still too much to do in Ranger Blue. The heart of the robust Merrimack Valley Conference program is right in front of us. Methuen will face his toughest test yet on Monday (weather permitting) when the Rangers head to Central Catholic.