MICHELLE BERGERON MONTGOMERY, Class of 1998

Michelle Bergeron Montgomery
Class of 1998
Inducted in 2011

Establishing herself as one of the truly dominant pitchers in the history of the Lowell High School Softball program, Michelle Bergeron Montgomery was one of the catalysts for the transformation of the program into the juggernaut that it became under Coach Rick O’Brien during the period around the turn of the century.

A four-year starter on the mound for Lowell High, Michelle provided a hint of what was to come during her freshman season (1995), pitching 125 of the Raiders’ total of 128 innings for the entire season, striking out a total of 83 batters in the process and hurling 3 shutouts. She was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

As a sophomore (1996) Michelle compiled a record of 11–9 while pitching 144 of the Raiders’ 150 total innings for the season. Michelle struck out 136 batters and authored 2 shutouts while recording a miniscule earned run average (ERA) of 0.73. The innings pitched, strike out, and ERA totals were all school records at the time. Michelle recorded 11-strike out games against both Tewksbury and Billerica. She also provided some offensive punch, batting .274 and stealing 3 bases in a contest against Lawrence. Again chosen team MVP, Michelle was also selected as a Lowell Sun All-Star, as Lowell finished above .500 season for the 1st time in 5 years with a 12–9 record.

As a junior (1997) Michelle enjoyed one of the greatest seasons in Raider history on the mound, compiling a 15–3 record, striking out 153 batters in only 133 innings (an average of 8.5 per game), recording an ERA of 0.95, and hurling 2 shutouts and combining for another. Michelle had 4 10+ strikeout games, including a career-high 16 vs. Tewksbury. The hard-throwing ace set school records with the 15 wins (record still stands) and 153 strike outs while leading the Red and Gray to an 18–3 season. Named Lowell’s MVP for the 3rd consecutive year, Michelle also once again earned Lowell Sun All-Star honors.

Michelle finished her LHS career with another successful campaign as a senior (1998), leading the Raiders into the State Tournament for the 3rd consecutive year. The team Captain, Michelle compiled a record of 7–4, striking out 66 batters in 71 innings while recording an ERA of 1.28. She pitched 3 shutouts and combined for 2 more as Lowell finished the season with a record of 15–7. At season’s end Michelle was named Lowell’s MVP for an unprecedented 4th consecutive year. She was named a Lowell Sun All-Star for the 3rd consecutive time.

Michelle’s name can still be found high on the Lowell High All-Time lists in the Softball Record Book in virtually every pitching category. She still holds school records for career innings pitched (473) and strike outs (438) and wins in a season (15). She stands 2nd in career victories (38) and career 10+ strike out games (6). She is number 4 in career shutouts (10+ 3 combined).

After graduation, Michelle attended Fitchburg State College where she continued her softball exploits. A 4-time All-Conference selection, Michelle enjoyed a dominant season as a senior in 2002. The team Captain, Michelle was named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament MVP. She was also won Fitchburg State’s 2002 Female Athlete of the Year Award.

[slickr-flickr tag="BergeronMontgomery" flickr_link="on" sort="title" direction="ascending"]