Category Archives: Amesbury

May 13, 2014 · 9:49 pm

Lynnfield edges Amesbury 3-1 in Cape Ann League baseball

Winning pitcher Greg Basilesco (#18) after the game

Shortstop Jordan Roper fields a grounder

(Amesbury MA) Junior Greg Basilesco tossed a complete game, four-hitter as Lynnfield defeated Amesbury, 3-1, on an overcast Tuesday afternoon of Cape Ann League baseball.

Greg kept the Indians off the bases and faced only nineteen batters during the last six innings. Amesbury left only two runners on base.

Lynnfield (11-5) had seven hits against AHS starter Nick Hawrylciw and stranded runners (12 runners total) in every inning.

Both teams scored in the first inning. The Pioneers added single runs in the third and sixth innings.

The Indians (5-11) hurt themselves with wild pitches and over-aggressive base-running.

In the Lynnfield first, junior Nick Pascucci walked and took second on a Nick Hawrylciw wild pitch. Nick Pascucci headed for third on a grounder to shortstop Jared Dupere. Normally that’s a bad move but Jared opted to throw to first and Nick reached third with two outs. The second wild pitch of the inning by Nick Hawrylciw allowed Nick Pascucci to score Lynnfield’s first run.

Amesbury came right back in their half of the first to tie the score. Ben Cullen doubled to left center and Mac Short delivered him with a sharp grounder up the middle.

Jordan Roper

The Pioneers took the lead for good in the third. Jordan Roper doubled down the left field line and raced home on junior Jake Rourke’s liner up the middle. Jake’s hit was tipped by pitcher Nick Hawrylciw but not enough to keep in from reaching the outfield.

Ben Cullen ran into an out on the bases in the Amesbury third. Ben singled, and stole second with one out. He was on his way toward third but pitcher Greg Basilesco sniffed out what Ben was up to and ran right at him between 2B and 3B. Ben was eventually tagged out by shortstop Jordan Roper.

The Pioneers came close to more runs in the 4th and 5th innings. Ryan Battaglia was tagged out at the plate in the 4th inning. In the fifth, Nick Hawrylciw escaped a bases-loaded, one-out situation with a force-out at home and a strikeout.

Jared Dupere doubled to lead off the Amesbury fifth but Greg Basilesco retired the next three Indians.

The Pioneers added an insurance run in the sixth inning. A hit batsman (Ryan Battaglia) and a walk (Jack Fraulini) set up a pitching change for Amesbury with Levi Burrill taking over. Levi advanced the two runners with a wild pitch and intentionally walked Jordan Roper to load the bases with two outs. Next batter Jake Rourke was hit by a pitch driving across Ryan Battaglia with the third Lynnfield run.

Ben Cullen caught in a rundown

Now down 3-1, Amesbury had Ben Cullen back on base with a walk. The AHS senior stole second and, because catcher Danny O’Leary’s throw went into center field, was able to reach third with one out. On Mac Short’s infield out Ben started for home and was caught (and out) for the second time on the bases.

Scary moment in this game was when LHS shortstop Jordan Roper chased a high foul popup along the line in left in the sixth inning. Jordan went into a slide knowing a fence was coming up but ended up sliding into one of the poles holding up the scoreboard. Both coaches were out there in a hurry as well as the Amesbury High School medical staff. To the relief of everyone, Jordan was up and back playing in a few minutes.

Jake Rourke drove in two of Lynnfield’s runs. Jordan Roper paced the Pioneers with two hits.

Jordan Roper goes into a slide chasing a foul ball

Jordan, who made the Cape Ann League All-League team in 2013, has signed of letter of intent with Division 2 Assumption for next year.

Lynnfield tried a suicide squeeze but Tony Costa fouled off the bunt attempt.

Amesbury defeated Lynnfield, 5-4, in nine innings on April 10th at Lynnfield.

Weather? After yesterday’s 80’s, today’s 50’s were a rude shock. The threat of rain was persistent.

Lynnfield box

Amesbury box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Jack Aponas ready to tag Andrew McCarthy

Amesbury dugout

First baseman Pat Scanlon gives pitcher Levi Burrill a big target

Andrew Carbone reaches third

Tony Costa

Jake Rourke steals second

Ryan Battaglia caught between third and home by AHS second baseman Jack Aponas

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Lynnfield

Tagged as Ben Cullen, Greg Basilesco, Jake Rourke, Jordan Roper

May 8, 2014 · 11:16 pm

Amesbury holds off Ipswich 2-1 in Cape Ann League baseball

Pat Scanlon scores the second Amesbury run on a close play at the plate.

Ben Cullen gets the first Amesbury run on an infield out

(Ipswich MA) Both teams loaded the bases in the first inning but only one team (Amesbury) came away with runs.

The two runs that the Indians scored in the first inning proved to be the difference as Amesbury defeated Ipswich, 2-1, on a beautiful Thursday afternoon of Cape Ann League baseball.

The victory put an eight-game losing streak to rest for the Indians (4-9).

The Tigers (2-10) wasted a terrific pitching performance by senior Sean Whooley. Sean allowed only four hits and had six strikeouts.

Chris Grady scores on a hit by Mike Savoie

The missing ingredient for Ipswich on this day was big hits. By “big hits” I mean ones when there are teammates in scoring position. The only “big hit” for Ipswich was by Mike Savoie in the third inning when he drove in Chris Grady from third. The rest of the opportunities, and there were ten of them, were squandered.

Nick Hawrylciw picked up the win for the Indians with a complete-game, six-hitter. The senior stranded ten runners.

His biggest pitch of the game? His last one. The Tigers had runners on second and third with two out. Austin Rubino was the batter with a 3-2 count. Nick Hawrylciw’s pitch hit Austin but to everyone’s surprise Austin was called out. Why? Batter’s interference. I spoke with both umpires afterwards and they explained that the batter (Austin) had leaned into the strike zone when he got hit therefore the pitch was called a strike. It ended the game with Nick Hawrylciw getting credited with a strikeout.

Austin Rubino about to be called for batter interference

Amesbury capitalized on Ipswich miscues to get their two runs in the first inning. The Indians started off the first with Ben Cullen getting hit by a pitch, Pat Scanlon reaching on an error (Chris Grady), and Mac Short walking. Nick Hawrylciw’s fielder’s choice brought Ben Cullen across. Then pitcher Sean Whooley’s pitch in the dirt escaped catcher Jon O’Brien and Pat Scanlon was able to slide into home on a very close play.

Twice during the game Amesbury was able to pull their infield in and prevent runs from scoring on groundouts.

Ben Cullen tries for third base.

Amesbury sent only twelve batters to the plate in the final four innings. In a bizarre fifth inning, the Indians had two hits (Chris Chioffi and Ben Cullen) but both runners were thrown out by IHS catcher Jon O’Brien.

In the seventh inning, Ipswich had a great chance to tie the game. First batter Dan Bennett walked but then was picked off first. Sure enough, next batter Sean Whooley singled, and after a popout, Freddy Cerundolo doubled. Minus the pickoff, the Tigers have tied the game.

Leftfielder Alex Morris about to make a running catch

Alex Morris paced Ipswich with two hits. He also made a great catch to end the second inning.

CAL All-League catcher Mac Short blocked a number of pitches in the dirt.

Ipswich won the earlier meeting between the two teams, 6-3, on April 18th.

Both teams return to action on Saturday morning. Ipswich hosts Rockport and Amesbury hosts Manchester-Essex.

Ipswich has now lost seven straight games.

Weather? Absolutely perfect.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Sean Whooley

Mike Savoie

Chris Chioffi

Nick Hawrylciw

Pickoff attempt

Chris Chioffi out stealing

Chris Grady bunts

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Ipswich

Tagged as Ben Cullen, Nick Hawrylciw, Pat Scanlon, Sean Whooley

May 5, 2014 · 8:51 pm

Shelby O’Brien leads Newburyport past Amesbury 10-3

Celebrating begins as Shelby OBrien (#11) crosses home in the first inning

Shelby OBrien was flawless in the field and started a double play

(Amesbury MA) “Hey, she’s human!”

That’s what one of the spectators yelled after Amesbury’s Zoe Fitzgerald ripped a grounder down the line past third baseman Shelby O’Brien in the sixth inning.

Why? Junior Shelby O’Brien was having a remarkable game in the field and at the bat. She had handled tough chances and routine chances flawlessly. She even had started a double play. But there were equally good things when Shelby batted: a home run, two doubles and four RBI.

In the end, Newburyport defeated Amesbury, 10-3, on a sunny/windy Monday afternoon of Cape Ann League softball.

Meghan Stanton finishes her run around the bases

Meghan Stanton also homered and Stephanie Gleason added a triple as part of Newburyport’s 13-hit barrage.

Amesbury (6-4) had plenty of hits (nine) but were short on the big hit. The Indians left runners on base in every inning.

Amanda Schell led Amesbury with three hits and two RBI. She also scored a run.

Lauren Singer also had a big day for the Clippers (7-5) with two hits and three RBI.

Newburyport picked up three runs in the first inning. Morgan Johnson singled and Carley Siemasko reached on an error (Maddy Napoli) before Shelby launched a 3-run blast over centerfielder Meagan Aponas’ head.

In the third the Clippers added two more runs. Carley Siemasko ripped a single off of AHS starter Sammy Stone’s glove before Shelby doubled to right center. Lauren Singer’s single to right tallied both runners.

Amanda Schell (3 hits and 2 rbi)

Behind 5-0, the Indians rallied back in their half of the third. An infield hit and an infield error (Morgan Johnson) opened the door for Amanda Schell to drive in both baserunners (Alexi Boswell and Lucy Scholz) with a single to right center.

Newburyport put their big bats back to work in the fourth. Stephanie Gleason tripled to right center and Ashley Hodge singled her home. The Indians looked to be out of the inning after second baseman Lauren Fedorchak started a nifty double play. But on this day the runs kept coming for NHS. After Carley Siemasko walked, Shelby had a wind-blown double to left scoring Carley. Lauren Singer added another run with a single bringing Shelby home.

Next inning (fifth) the Clippers would add two more to their 8-2 lead against Rachel Cyr who replaced starter Sammy Stone. Amy Sullivan walked and was the baserunner when Meghan Stanton homered to right center.

Alexi Boswell at second base

Newburyport carried a 10-2 leading into the bottom of the seventh. Amesbury put three hits together for a run as Autumn Kligerman drove across Amanda Schell but that was it for the Indians.

The win enables the Clippers to sweep the season series with the Indians. Newburyport pulled out a walkoff 16-15 win in April in Newburyport.

Everyone in the Newburyport lineup either scored a run or had a hit.

Vicki Allman went the distance for the Clippers. She surrendered nine hits but gave up no extra base hits and allowed only one walk. Vicki certainly had plenty of run support in this one.

Zoe Fitzgerald had two hits for the Indians.

Amesbury was coming off of a 9-8 eight inning win over a North Reading team that had only lost once.

The sun was very tough for those playing on the right side of the field.

Amesbury returns to action tomorrow at Saugus. Newburyport will wait until Wednesday to resume play when they will host Ipswich.

It takes ten wins for a team to qualify for the post-season tournament.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Pitcher Vicki Allman (#4) congratulates her teammates after the game

Lauren Fedorchak about to tag Amy Sullivan

Vicki Allman in her pitching motion

Centerfielder Meagan Aponas tracks a fly ball and rightfielder Alexi Boswell looks on

Pitcher Sammy Stone readies to fire to first

Shelby OBrien bats

Morgan Johnson sets to throw to first

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Newburyport

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Meghan Stanton, Shelby O'Brien, Vicki Allman, Zoe Fitzgerald

May 4, 2014 · 8:38 pm

Newburyport holds off Amesbury 5-4 in Cape Ann League baseball

Scott Webster congratulated after recording the final out

Spencer Fournier takes the final swing of the game

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury changed dugouts, uniforms and even had some help from the sun but it wasn’t enough as Newburyport defeated the Indians, 5-4, on a sunny/cloudy Sunday afternoon.

With the victory Newburyport (4-7) ended a three-game winless streak. The Clippers claimed four runs in the first inning and the eventual game-winner in the fourth inning.

Amesbury (3-9) saw its losing streak reach eight. The Indians tallied twice in the first and sixth innings.

After the 4-run first, AHS starter Zack Fitzgerald yielded just a run and three hits the rest of the way.

Travis Wile flips the ball to pitcher James Nutter covering first

James Nutter (5 1/3 innings) and Scott Webster (1 2/3 innings) handled the pitching for Newburyport. They allowed only five hits and two walks. Scott struck out the last two Indians to preserve the win.

Newburyport loaded the bases in the first inning with no outs. Scott Webster drove in two of the baserunners (Caleb Stott and Chance Carpenter) with a single to left center. An Amesbury attempt to get the second runner at home allowed the other two NHS runners to end up in scoring position. Later in the inning Dan Baribeault’s two-out, two-strike single to right delivered both Ryan Furlong and Scott Webster.

Ben Cullen heads for home

Amesbury came back in the bottom of the first to load the bases with one out. Spencer Fournier’s fly ball scored Ben Cullen from third. On that play the NHS throw from the outfield came home but the throw (catcher Scott Webster) back to second was wild and the two runners ended up in scoring position. A passed ball (Scott Webster) allowed Pat Scanlon to cross with Amesbury’s second run.

So after one inning both teams, in my opinion, had given up an extra run. At that point I envisioned a lot of runs the rest of the way. But it didn’t go that way thanks to good pitching and sound defense.

The Clippers collected their important fifth run in fourth inning. Caleb Stott reached on a perfect bunt and then stole second. Caleb took third on Chance Carpenter’s fielder’s choice and scored on Ryan Furlong’s single to deep short.

Ryan Furlong and catcher Mac Short collide at the plate

Newburyport came close to a second run in that fourth inning but a good throw by shortstop Ben Cullen to catcher Mac Short nailed Ryan Furlong at the plate.

Amesbury entered their sixth down 5-2 but added two runs with help from the sun. After NHS starter James Nutter put two batters on with a hit batsman and a single, Scott Webster came on in relief. After a strikeout, a wild pitch put two Indians in scoring position with two outs. Then on an afternoon in which the sun was in and out, it popped out on a routine Brad Kelleher fly ball to centerfielder Chance Carpenter. The result was that the two-out, routine fly ball turned into a two-run single. Both Jared Dupere and Zack Fitzgerald came across. Ben Cullen lined to Dan Baribeault to end the sixth but the Indians were within one run, 5-4.

Mac Short walked with one out in the Amesbury seventh but then Scott Webster caught Nick Hawrylciw looking and Spencer Fournier swinging to give NHS their 4th win.

Caleb Stott steals second

Caleb Stott and Chance Carpenter paced Newburyport with two hits apiece.

Mac Short singled twice for Amesbury.

Third baseman Dan Baribeault played his second game with the Newburyport varsity and drove in two runs.

Weather? Plenty of sun and plenty of clouds with a couple of sprinkles.

Amesbury was 11-9 last year while Newburyport was 15-8.

Amesbury’s next game is Tuesday at North Reading. Newburyport will be at Masconomet on Monday.

Newburyport box

Amesbury box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Scott Webster

Pat Scanlon

Dan Baribeault

Zack Fitzgerald

Mac Short prepares to throw to first

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Newburyport

Tagged as Caleb Stott, Chance Carpenter, Dan Baribeault, James Nutter, Mac Short, Ryan Furlong, Scott Webster, Zack Fitzgerald

April 22, 2014 · 5:12 pm

Amesbury plays well in 4-1 loss to D3 powerhouse St. Mary’s of Lynn

Augie relaxes between innings of the St. Marys/Amesbury softball game

Pitcher Mia Nowicki gets congratulated by teammate Katie Terban

(Amesbury MA) Amesbury didn’t make a full recovery from the nightmarish 16-15 loss to Newburyport last game but their improved play was noticeable.

The Indians (2-2) lost, 4-1, to a very strong St. Mary’s (Lynn) team in a non-league game on a beautiful Tuesday morning.

Sophomore Vanessa VanBuskirk drove in three runs for St. Mary’s (4-1).

The Spartans pitching (sophomore Michaela Hamill and freshman Mia Nowicki) gave up seven hits but it was their ability to strand nine Indians that made the difference. Twice St. Mary’s pitchers were confronted with bases-loaded situations but yielded just one Amesbury run.

The Spartans scored two runs in the second and two more in the sixth. The Indians collected their lone run in the fourth.

Pitcher Rachel Cyr gets one of her seven assists.

Rachel Cyr went the distance for Amesbury and pitched well. The senior was victimized by a trio of infield bleeders in StM’s 2-run second and two walks in the 2-run sixth.

In the Spartans’ second inning, juniors Molly Doyle and Mollie Mello reached on slow rollers that neither AHS shortstop Maddie Napoli nor third baseman Autumn Kligerman had easy chances on. (Senior Alexis Mango ran for Mollie Mello.) A wild pitch moved both runners up and Mia Nowicki’s grounder to pitcher Rachel Cyr enabled Molly Doyle to score St. Mary’s first run. Alexis Mango reached third on the play. Vanessa VanBuskirk then hit a blooper over the pitcher, but in front of the shortstop, with plenty of spin on it that fell in and drove across the Spartans second run. Nothing was hard hit but St. Mary’s was up, 2-0, after two innings.

Rachel Cyr gets back to third as Katie Terban applies the tag

Amesbury cut the lead in half in their fourth inning and came very close to having an even bigger inning. Rachel Cyr started things off by reaching on a dropped popup by senior second baseman Jennie Mucciarone. Autumn Kligerman bunted Rachel to second. Next batter junior Meagan Aponas took a full swing and got a dribbler to go down the first baseline. None of the St. Mary’s fielders reacted to it and so Meagan reached first. Sophomore Sammy Stone then hit a grounder back to pitcher Michaela Hamill who tried unsuccessfully to get Rachel Cyr off of third. So Amesbury now had the bases loaded with just one out. They did get a run as Lauren Fedorchak’s fielder’s choice scored Rachel Cyr but Michaela got freshman Maddie Napoli to pop out ending what might have been a much bigger inning.

Mia Nowicki pitched the final three innings for the Spartans.

Against Mia in the fifth, the Indians got senior Lucy Scholz (3 hits) to third with two outs but failed to capitalize.

Jess Marinello scores the Spartans 4th run

The Spartans put up two runs worth of insurance in the sixth inning. Rachel Cyr’s only two walks of the game proved costly. With two outs, St. Mary’s runners (Molly Doyle and pinchrunner Jess Martinello), who had reached on walks, were on second and third. Vanessa VanBuskirk delivered the two of them with a hard shot to centerfield.

Amesbury trailed, 4-1, with two out in the bottom of the seventh. But the Indians didn’t go quietly getting consecutive hits from Alexi Boswell and Lucy Scholz. Amanda Schell extended the inning with a walk loading the bases. However, Mia Nowicki got Rachel Cyr to fly to senior centerfielder Alex Fisher to end Amesbury‘s hopes for a last-inning comeback.

Amesbury is now in Division 3 as is St. Mary’s so it was a good chance for both teams to check each other out for a possible D3 North tournament game later on.

Vanessa VanBuskirk leads teammate Jennie Mucciarone to the bag

Jennie Mucciarone (going to Tufts) was part of St. Mary’s D3 basketball state champs as was Mia Nowicki.

Pitcher Rachel Cyr had seven assists.

St. Mary’s reached the state D3 final last year before losing, 5-2, to Assabet Valley. The Spartans were 20-6 last season. Amesbury was 19-3 in 2013 but in Division 2.

Amesbury is scheduled to visit Ipswich tomorrow for a 10AM game……..weather permitting.

Weather? It is nice to go to an outdoor event in April and feel over-dressed. This was one of those mornings.

St. Mary’s box

Amesbury box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Lauren Fedorchak eyes a popup

Alexi Boswell

Maddie Napoli throws to first

Vanessa VanBuskirk

Mollie Mello

Michaela Hamill

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Filed under Amesbury, St. Mary's

Tagged as Katie Terban, Lucy Scholz, Mia Nowicki, Michaela Hamill, Rachel Cyr, Vanessa VanBuskirk

April 19, 2014 · 3:54 pm

Pat Slack and Georgetown hitting attack lead to 5-0 win over Amesbury

Pat Slack and teammates celebrate his two-hit shutout

Colby Ingraham about to cross home with the first Royals run

(Amesbury MA) Now, that’s more like it! (That was a reference to the weather.)

Georgetown had everything go their way as they defeated Amesbury, 5-0, on a sunny Saturday morning of Cape Ann League baseball.

The Royals (4-1) rode the arm of senior Pat Slack (two hitter) and a non-stop hitting attack (nine hits) to the victory.

While G’Town had hits and stranded baserunners (nine) in every inning, the Indians went through 4 1/3 innings without a baserunner. Nick Hawrylciw was the first to reach for Amesbury beating out (barely!) a grounder to shortstop Colby Ingraham. Later in that fifth inning Spencer Fournier would get a no-questions-asked single to right center. But those two hits were all that Amesbury (3-3) could muster.

Spencer Fournier (#8) had one of two Amesbury hits

Spencer Fournier’s hit to right center was only one of two balls to reach the Georgetown outfield. Pat Slack was that dominating in the complete game shutout. He had four strikeouts and kept the ball down. First baseman Nick Correnti ended up with ten putouts.

Junior Sam Burnham pitched six innings for Amesbury (3-3) in his first varsity start. Levi Burrill covered the last inning for the Indians.

Sam Burnham was charged with five runs but only two of them were earned.

The first of the unearned runs opened the scoring for the visitors in the first inning. After Colby Ingraham doubled with two outs, AHS shortstop Ben Cullen booted Kyle Nelson’s grounder allowing Colby Ingraham to get home.

Three more runs came across for the Royals in the second inning. Kevin Terban singled to left and was driven home by Chris Chiklakis’s triple to right center. An infield hit to deep short by Ben Noelk enabled Chris to get G’Town’s third run. A two-out throwing error by shortstop Ben Cullen followed adding a fourth run to the Royals’ total.

Sam Burnham

Georgetown’s third unearned run came in the sixth inning. Left fielder Brad Kelleher had trouble retrieving Mike Goddu’s single and as a result Mike reached second. Sam Burnham balked Mike to third. Sam would have gotten out of the inning but another infield error (second baseman Jared Dupere) gave Georgetown its fifth run.

So despite all the Georgetown hits and baserunners, this could have been a much closer game minus the five Amesbury miscues.

The Royals, meanwhile, were flawless in the field with few tough chances. Amesbury’s hardest shot, other than Spencer Fournier’s single, was a line drive toward second by Mac Short that Kevin Terban snared about shin level in the fourth inning.

Pat Slack (three hits) had two doubles that were part of Georgetown’s four extra-base hits.

Amesbury starter Sam Burnham took a hard shot off the shin in the third inning but recovered to toss the hitter out at first.

Colby Ingraham

Cape Ann League All-League performer Colby Ingraham is back. He suffered a torn ACL in football. He has a noticeable limp but still has enough range to handle the shortstop position. Colby almost got himself into trouble with the first base umpire when he had a loud reaction to his throw in the 5th inning that didn’t result in an out at first. GHS coach Justin Spurr was quick to pay a visit to the field to cool things down.

Mac Short, Colby Ingraham, and Ben Noelk were Cape Ann League All-League players in 2013. Pat Slack was a CAL All-Star last year.

Kevin Terban had two hits and scored two runs for the Royals.

Ben Cullen showed terrific range tracking down a first inning foul popup down the third baseline.

I’m guessing on this one but I believe that Amesbury sophomore second baseman Jared Dupere is the brother of Sarah Dupere the very talented senior softball pitcher at Governor’s Academy. I saw Sarah K seven Pingree batters and get three hits herself in a 13-0 shutout against the Highlanders.

Next game for Georgetown in Tuesday (10AM) hosting Hamilton-Wenham. Amesbury will host Pentucket (3:45PM) on the same day.

The weather was terrific. There was a pretty good crowd on hand and almost all of them were over-dressed. It’s just hard to believe so far this season that sunny, breezy, and 60’s could all come together in a pleasant outdoor experience!

Georgetown box

Amesbury box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Pitcher Sam Burnham recovers after taking a shot to the shin

Jared Dupere

Levi Burrill

Pat Slack

Nick Correnti stretches for his 10th putout

Ben Cullen tracks down a foul popup

Pat Slack caught in a rundown in the third inning.

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Georgetown

Tagged as Ben Noelk, Coach Justin Spurr, Colby Ingraham, Kevin Terban, Pat Slack, Sam Burnham

April 14, 2014 · 10:20 pm

Newburyport gets wild 16-15 walkoff win over Amesbury

Morgan Johnston walks home the winning run for Newburyport

Maddie Napoli puts the tag on Lauren Singer

(Newburyport) Newburyport batted around in two of the last three innings and overtook Amesbury, 16-15, on a very windy Monday afternoon in Cape Ann League softball.

The Clippers (2-2) were down by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh but a two-run single by Lauren Singer tied things at 15-15. A catcher’s interference call followed loading the bases and pitcher Rachel Cyr’s walk to Morgan Johnston forced across the game winner.

This game was anything but smooth. The 20-30 MPH gusty winds made every ball in the air an adventure. Infield popups dropped among players. Outfield flies sailed over the heads of outfielders. In fact, line drives right at players were dropped.

Lucy Scholz races to third

Things weren’t much better on the ground. Part of the trouble for the infielders was the steady collection of baserunners serving up distractions. There were way too many throws to the wrong bases.

The Indians (2-1) dominated the first four innings. They led, 8-3, and already had eleven hits off of NHS starter Vicki Allman while AHS starter Rachel Cyr was limiting the Clippers to just three hits.

Newburyport turned things around in the fifth inning. They sent twelve players to the plate and collected eight runs on just four hits. Junior Morgan Kelley tripled in two of the runs. Amy Sullivan scored twice.

Alexi Boswell

Amesbury hit the ball hard all game and finished with seventeen hits. Five of the hits came in their sixth inning and they made Newburyport’s 11-8 lead disappear in a six-run inning. The Indians sent eleven batters to the plate. Alexi Boswell had two hits in the inning.

Newburyport went quietly in their sixth inning and trailed, 14-11.

The Indians added another run in the seventh as Amanda Schell hit a ball sharply to right. NHS rightfielder Morgan Johnston looked to have a chance on the ball but it got by her to the fence. Amanda was able to circle the bases for Amesbury’s fifteenth run.

Sammy Stone pitched the scoreless sixth for the Indians and 2/3 of the seventh inning.

In the seventh Newburyport got down to its final out before five straight Clippers reached to win on a walkoff walk by Morgan Johnston.

One reason for the Clippers win may well have been that despite getting hit hard pitcher Vicki Allman only walked two.

Carly Siemasko catches a popup

Sixteen players scored runs in this game. Thirteen players had RBIs.

Rachel Cyr drove in four runs while Molly Kelley and Lauren Singer drove in three each.

Amy Sullivan scored three times.

Alexi Boswell led all players with four hits, while teammates Lucy Scholz and Rachel Cyr had three apiece.

Meagan Aponas catches a fly just beyond the reach of Maddie Napoli

Lauren Singer had four hits for the Clippers including two triples.

Meghan Stanton looked good taking over for Kendra Dow at shortstop for Newburyport.

Weather? No question it was windy but it was also warm.

Next game for Amesbury will be hosting Rockport on Wednesday. Newburyport will be traveling to Saugus on the same day.

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Lauren Singer triples over Alexi Boswell

Amy Sullivan scores as the ball gets by catcher Amanda Schell

Jade Carpenter fires to first

Lauren Fedorchak

Amanda Schell near home after circling the bases

Amy Sullivan and Coach Lori Solazzo

Shelby OBrien

Vicki Allman

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Newburyport

Tagged as Alexi Boswell, Amanda Schell, Amy Sullivan, Lauren Singer, Morgan Johnston, Rachel Cyr, Vicki Allman

April 9, 2014 · 9:21 pm

Amesbury experience shows in 5-1 softball win over Georgetown

Zoe Fitzgerald (#21) gets cheers from her teammates after circling the bases in the sixth inning.

Autumn Kligerman sets to fire to first

(Amesbury) Experienced Amesbury opened their 2014 season with a 5-1 victory over Georgetown on a blustery Wednesday afternoon in Cape Ann League softball.

The Indians (1-0) were flawless in the field and capitalized on the inexperience of the Royals (0-1) especially in the outfield.

Minus graduated hitters such as Ashley Valme, Janine Fatal, Erin Leary, and Cassie Schultz, Amesbury couldn’t separate from the determined Royals. This was a 3-1 game going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

In the decisive sixth, sophomore Zoe Fitzgerald hit a hard shot into right center that split freshmen outfielders Samantha Newbury and Dana Edwards on the ground. By the time the two outfielders could retrieve the ball, and get it back into the infield, Zoe had reached home (with Amesbury’s 4th run) without a slide despite slowing up at third base.

The Indians added more insurance in the same frame. Lauren Fedorchak singled to deep short and took second on a wild throw by SS Maddy Crateau. Lauren then scored Run #5 on freshman Maddie Napoli’s blooper into right field.

The throw from first goes past Alexi Boswell and shortstop Kylie Hayward

Senior Alexi Boswell worked some base running magic to produce a run in the first inning. After Alexi reached on a single, Lucy Scholz put down a bunt that activated the Georgetown infield. Third baseman Hannah Jannell fielded the bunt and made an accurate throw to second baseman Maddy Crateau covering first to get Lucy. However that defensive arrangement left shortstop Kylie Hayward covering both second and third. So Alexi ran right past second toward uncovered third. Maddy Crateau threw the ball past shortstop Kylie Hayward who was racing Alexi to third and Alexi came home with Amesbury’s first run.

More of that inexperience/experience thing kicked in for a second first inning run. Senior Amanda Schell singled to right but the ball got past rightfielder Dana Edwards and Amanda ended up at third. Senior Rachel Cyr singled to center scoring Amanda with Amesbury’s second score.

pitcher Danielle Quercia

When Autumn Kligerman hit a fly ball to center that centerfielder Samantha Newbury couldn’t find in the sun, you sensed that a very bad inning was underway for the Royals. But credit Georgetown starter Danielle Quercia. She got Zoe Fitzgerald to strike out and Sammy Stone to line to first ending the inning without any more runs allowed.

Amesbury would build their lead to 3-0 in the second inning. Lauren Fedorchak singled to center and Maddie Napoli sacrifice bunted her to second. Lucy Scholz delivered Lauren with a two-out single to center.

Georgetown had five hits, a walk, and five stranded runners to show for five innings of play. In the sixth the Royals used aggressive base running to get on the scoreboard. Maddy Crateau and Jen Nutter set the stage with infield hits after one out. When catcher Amanda Schell tried to pick Jen off of first (it was verrry close!) Maddie reached third. And then when Jen stole second on another very close play Maddy raced home.

pitcher Rachel Cyr

The key to that inning for Georgetown was being aggressive. The key for Amesbury was Rachel Cyr. How? The senior pitcher struck out three Royals looking to keep other Royals off the bases and limit the damage to one run.

Former CAL All-League shortstop Amanda Schell made her debut at catcher for the Indians. Amanda replaces Cassie Schultz who is now playing at Assumption.

Rightfielder Alexi Boswell showed her arm in the seventh inning. When sophomore Maggie Noelk hit a liner to right, Alexi picked up the ball on the hop and threw Maggie out at first.

Amesbury starter Rachel Cyr allowed seven hits, one walk and struck out four. She also successfully handled three chances. Rachel, who replaces Carolina Merrill, will do most of the pitching for the Indians.

Georgetown starter Danielle Quercia gave up eleven hits but only five runs despite four errors behind her. Danielle ends a run of eight years of the Erlandson sisters pitching.

Amesbury was 19-3 last season while Georgetown was 14-6. Both teams are now in Division 3.

Jen Nutter

Jen Nutter led Georgetown with two hits.

Amanda Schell, Autumn Kligerman, and Lauren Fedorchak each had two hits for Amesbury.

Tough second inning for Georgetown. Jen Nutter singled and reached second on a wild pitch with no outs. However, Emily Fraser lined to Autumn Kligerman at 3B and the Amesbury junior doubled Jen off of second. As bad luck (for Georgetown) would have it, next batter Hannah Jannell singled to center. Could have been a run??

Amesbury junior Meagan Aponas had a pinch-hit single in the 6th but got caught in a rundown.

The game was originally scheduled for Georgetown but field conditions there weren’t good.

The temperatures were in the 50’s but the gusty winds made that number meaningless when it came to deciding what to wear. Dress for winter until further notice!

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

third baseman Hannah Jannell

Maddie Napoli readies the tag for Jen Nutter

Zoe Fitzgerald

catcher Amanda Schell

shortstop Maddie Napoli

Maddy Crateau

Gianna Faragi tags out Meagan Aponas in the sixth inning

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Georgetown

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Danielle Quercia, Jen Nutter, Lucy Scholz, Maddy Crateau, Rachel Cyr, Zoe Fitzgerald

April 5, 2014 · 10:41 am

Win and tie in Amesbury/Ipswich outdoor boys/girls track meet

Michaela Hedderman wins the 100. The IHS sophomore also won the 200.

(Ipswich) How often are their ties in outdoor track meets? I suspect that the odds are high but that was how the girls’ part of the Amesbury/Ipswich event ended – 72 1/2 points each on Friday afternoon.

The Ipswich boys won, 80-62.

Weather conditions? Brutal. Constant wind with temps generously estimated in the low 40’s. Plenty of shivering participants on hand. Veteran spectators were dressed for snow.

Below is a collection of pictures from the event which will enlarge if you click on them:

Isabel Prussman high jumps

Devin Smith high jumps

Michael Riddles wins one mile and two mile races

Michaela Hedderman long jumps

Amanda Martin tries to keep warm

Isabel Prussman readies for the long jump

Nora McMorrow wins the pole vault competition

Pat Halloran captures 400 hurdles

Hailee Gibadlo cruises in 2 mile

James Stone gets 400

Amanda Martin is winner in 400

Ryan White was high jump winner

Julia Shorter gets first in mile run

Alex Jean-Charles takes 100

Amesbury pole vaulter

Matt Jaeger (he won triple jump) in the long jump

Jill Calvani takes 400 hurdles

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Filed under Amesbury, Ipswich

Tagged as Alex Jean-Charles, Amanda Martin, Devin Smith, Hailee Gibadlo, Isabel Prussman, Jill Calvani, Julia Shorter, Matt Jaeger, Michael Riddle, Michaela Hedderman, Pat Halloran, Ryan White

January 28, 2014 · 12:25 am

Triton wins tight one 53-52 over Amesbury

Cam Armand (16 points) had four long ones

(Byfield MA) No one person loses a team game but you’d probably have trouble convincing Amesbury’s Pat Scanlon.

Pat had a great chance at a game winner in the last second of the Indians’ 53-52 loss to Triton on Monday night in Cape Ann League action. His shot rimmed out and the Vikings survived to put to rest a six-game losing streak.

For Amesbury (2-9) the string of losses reaches eight.

This figured to be a tight game with both teams looking for their first victory in 2014 and seeing this matchup as one they could win. It turned out to be a tense contest to say the least especially in the last minute.

Ryan Foley set up Pat Scanlon for a basket in the lane with a remarkable behind-the-back pass to pull Amesbury to within one (53-52) with thirty-nine seconds left.

Brad Whitman hit two free throws with a minute left

Triton (4-8) then turned the ball over (Ryan Foley steal) with twenty-five seconds to go. Plenty of time for Amesbury. The Indians, in fact had the ball the rest of the way. Shots in heavy traffic by Jack Fortin and Ryan Foley failed to connect. Then the inbounds play from Fred Halloran to Pat Scanlon failed to get the points needed as the game ended. Close, so very close!

The Vikings relied heavily on the 3-pointer and connected eleven times. Cam Armand and Corey Parsons both cashed in four times from long range. Nick Venora had two and Brad Whitman one.

Amesbury chose to get to the basket as often as possible. Pat Halloran (14 points) and Ryan Foley (10 points) made several successful drives with defenders all over them.

Pat Halloran (14 points) floats in the lane

The Indians ran eleven unanswered points in the first quarter to take an 11-3 lead with 3+ minutes left. The Vikings, playing in front of a vocal support group, recovered in the second quarter putting eight straight together to pull in front, 24-22, four minutes before halftime.

There were six lead changes in the exciting second half and neither team led by more than four points.

Amesbury missed three field goal attempts in the last twenty-five seconds but probably even bigger misses were the three front end’s of one-and-one’s by Fred Halloran, Pat Halloran, and Pat Scanlon earlier in that final quarter. Meanwhile, Brad Whitman made both of his free throws with a minute left. Brad’s second made free throw turned out to be the game winner.

Triton would have cringed at their final forty seconds if this game had been lost. Up by a point, they just did not take good care of the ball. If they had they probably would have been fouled and could have added to their lead. Their turnover gave Amesbury a golden chance.

Corey Parson (14 points including four long ones)

Another Vikings lapse was in Amesbury’s last possession as their defensive breakdown on the inbounds play almost gave away the game-winner to the Indians.

But it was all these near-misses and up-and-down action that made this a terrific game to watch.

And while I think of it, when a team loses by a point you have to go back to what happened to the Indians at the start of the second half. Amesbury was very late getting back after halftime. They never warmed up and came onto the floor not even knowing which end they were defending. As the Indians settled into the wrong end defensively, Triton’s Kevin Clark was left alone to dribble in for an uncontested layup to start the half. Those two points turned out to be huge.

Cam Armand (16 points) and Corey Parsons (14 points) led the Triton scorers.

Jack Fortin had two three’s for Amesbury.

Triton’s next game is Wednesday (6:30PM) hosting Rockport.

Amesbury will travel to North Reading for a 7PM game.

Amesbury box

Triton box

(All of the pictures above and below will enlarge considerably if you click on them.)