Pitcher/Hitter Rachel Cyr leads Amesbury past Notre Dame Academy 11-2 in D3 North quarterfinals

Rachel Cyr had nine strikeouts, four hits, and three RBI for Amesbury

Alexis Boswell scored three runs and drove in two runs

(Amesbury MA) Rachel Cyr struck out nine and drove in three runs leading Amesbury past Notre Dame Academy (Tyngsboro) 11-2 in the Division 3 North quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon.

Next opponent for the Indians (16-6) will be Lowell Catholic on Thursday night (6:45PM) at Martin Field in Lowell.

This was a 2-2 game after 3 1/2 innings but Amesbury put up a six-spot in the fourth and the team from the Commonwealth Athletic Conference never recovered.

Rachel Cyr was extremely effective. The AHS senior threw strikes (no walks) and K’d nine of the Lancers. She also retired the last seven batters she faced to thwart any comeback plans NDA may have had.

The Indians jumped off to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the second and third. Rachel had a part in both runs. In the second, she singled to deep short and her pinchrunner (Liv Stolworthy) came in on Zoe Fitzgerald’s single to short left. In the third, after teammates Alexis Boswell and Autumn Kligerman reached, Rachel had an RBI single up the middle.

Kendall Liggett slides across with the first NDA run

The Lancers (12-11) rallied back to tie the score in the fourth inning. After Kendall Liggett singled, Regan Szekely doubled hard down the first baseline scoring Kendall. Breanna Richard ran for Regan. Tara Kelleher followed with a grounder that got between AHS first baseman Zoe Fitzgerald and second baseman Lauren Fedorchak allowing Breanna Richard to hustle home with the second NDA run.

Amesbury gained separation in their half of the fourth inning. The Indians put seven hits together to collect six runs in an inning extended by a 2-out drop by centerfielder Mary Grace Handy. Amesbury sent ten batters to the plate.

trouble in the outfield

In the sixth inning the Indians added three runs. Rachel Cyr had her third RBI and teammate Alexis Boswell scored her third run of the game. This inning was also extended for Amesbury by another drop in centerfield.

Clare Handy paced NDA with two hits.

For Amesbury, Rachel Cyr had four hits while Alexis Boswell had three hits. Alexis also had two RBI.

NDA rightfielder Loren Sullivan made a nice running catch in the third inning.

Alexis Boswell chased Regan Szekely’s double into some Wrigley Field vegetation in foul territory in the NDA fourth inning.

Second baseman Lauren Fedorchak made a terrific running catch in foul territory of a popup in the third inning.

Amanda Schell

Meg Aponas and Amanda Schell hit long foul balls to left.

Last home game for Rachel Cyr, Alexis Boswell, Lucy Scholz, and Amanda Schell.

NDA was 13-7 last season.

The Lancers had two close games with Rockport this season.

Amesbury and St. Mary’s of Lynn are just a win away from facing each other in the D3 North finals. The Spartans defeated the Indians 4-1 in a game this season at Amesbury.

Amesbury box

Notre Dame Academy box

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