Category Archives: Cape Ann League

June 3, 2014 · 8:57 pm

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

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

Deanna Desmond ready to tag out Meg Aponas

Alexis Boswell tracks down a double

close play

Regan Szekely

shortstop Kaycie Pereira

Lauren Fedorchak runs down a foul popup

Allie Wilson

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Notre Dame Academy (Tyngsboro)

Tagged as Alexis Boswell, Amanda Schell, Clare Handy, Kendall Liggett, Rachel Cyr

June 2, 2014 · 10:26 pm

Pentucket’s Ryan Kuchar 2-hits Lynnfield in 3-1 Division 3 North quarterfinals win

Ryan Kuchar and Bobby Barry celebrate the win over Lynnfield

Ryan Kuchar pitched a 2-hit, complete game for the Sachems

(Lynnfield MA) Ryan Kuchar pitched a complete game, 2-hitter as Pentucket defeated Lynnfield, 3-1, in the Division 3 North quarterfinals on Monday afternoon at sunny Lynnfield.

The Sachems (15-8) now move to the semifinals on Wednesday afternoon (4PM) at Fraser Field (Lynn) against another Cape Ann League opponent, Hamilton-Wenham. Pentucket and HW split 2-1 games during the regular season.

Both Lynnfield hits (Greg Basilesco and Nick Pascucci) were in the third inning when the Pioneers (15-7) picked up their run.

Pentucket ended up with seven hits and had runners in scoring position in the first, second, and fourth innings but Lynnfield pitcher Dave Johnson escaped each time.

The escaping ended in the 5th and 6th innings as the Sachems collected two tarnished runs in one inning and an untarnished insurance run in the other inning.

Ryan Kuchar was the big story as he kept Lynnfield from getting anything going on offense except in the third inning.

Greg Basilesco scored for Lynnfield

In that third inning, Greg Basilesco singled to right and reached third base after two straight fielders’ choices. Nick Pascucci’s bloop single to short center earned him the RBI.

Down 1-0, Pentucket had a great chance in the fourth inning. John Sirois’ single was followed by a Greg Basilesco (3B) error on a grounder. A fielder’s choice moved the runners to second and third with one out. But pitcher Dave Johnson retired Bobby Hallowell and Kiernan Haley and the Pioneers still had their 1-0 lead.

The top of the fifth turned out to be the game-decider. Pat Beaton led off with a double to left. It is not usually a good idea to try for third when a grounder is hit to the shortstop………but Pat tried it and got away with it because third baseman Greg Basilesco dropped the throw from shortstop Jordan Roper. Lynnfield then tried to turn two on DJ Englke’s grounder to third but could only get the force at second. Pat Beaton scored on the play to tie the game. Still only one out. Ryan Kuchar singled getting DJ to second. The Sachems then pulled a double steal on a pitch in the dirt that catcher Traverse Briana had no chance to do anything with. The next play will be a bad memory for the Lynnfield faithful for a long time. John Sirois hit a grounder to short with two outs. From where I was standing, shortstop Jordan Roper didn’t handle the ball cleanly, and then threw high to first. It looked as if first baseman Spencer Balian came off the base reaching up for the throw and that was why John Sirois was safe. Not so according to the infield umpire. I heard him tell LHS coach John O’Brien that the runner had beaten the throw anyhow. The play was huge because if John is out the inning is over. If he’s safe, which was the ruling, the Sachems have a second run.

Bobby Hallowell in with the third Pentucket run

Nothing controversial about the Sachems third run. Bobby Hallowell tripled to right in the sixth inning and was driven home by Pat Beaton’s two-out bouncer up the middle.

Lynnfield had some two-out excitement in the seventh when Spencer Balian reached on a bad-bounce error by third baseman Bobby Barry. Greg Basilesco next hit a grounder at shortstop Pat Beaton that also took a bad bounce but the PHS shortstop reacted quickly and got an assist on the final out of the game.

Weather? When you can have sun, a little breeze, and no bugs you can’t ask for much more.

Good setting at Lynnfield to watch a game. They have a gradual hill behind the backstop.

DJ Englke tagged out by catcher Traverse Briana on a failed suicide squeeze attempt

Pentucket made an unsuccessful attempt at a suicide squeeze in the fifth inning.

Ryan Kuchar pitched a no-hitter a month ago against Rockport.

Many of my pictures have construction vehicles in the background. A number of new playing fields are getting constructed.

North Reading coach Frank Carey was part of the crowd. His Hornets are still alive in D3 North.

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

Ball gets past 3B Greg Basilesco

Ryan Battaglia stretches out on a shot to right

Bobby Hallowell tries for third

Pat Beaton

Shortstop Pat Beaton throws to first for the final out

Dave Johnson

Jordan Roper

Kiernan Haley handles a grounder

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Lynnfield, Pentucket

Tagged as Bobby Barry, Bobby Hallowell, Dave Johnson, DJ Englke, Jordan Roper, Pat Beaton, Ryan Kuchar

May 28, 2014 · 4:33 pm

2014 Cape Ann League All-Star softball team (pictures)

Alexi Boswell

Rachel Cyr

Autumn Kligerman

Jen Nutter

Maddy Crateau

Meredith Kercher

Hannah Travers (#20)

Paige Zeval

Julianna Kostas

Alex Mendelsohn

Kylie Currier

Vicki Allman

Ashley Hodge

Catcher Sophia Warner

Kassidy Kennefick

Maddie Binding

Kayla Parisi

Mara Spears

(Annika Han, Melanie Carter, and Jackilyn Murphy also made the team.)

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Georgetown, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Masconomet, Newburyport, Pentucket, Triton

Tagged as Alex Mendelsohn, Alexis Boswell, Annika Han, Ashley Hodge, Autumn Kligerman, Hannah Travers, Jackilyn Murphy, Jen Nutter, Julianna Kostas, Kaddisdy Kennefick, Kayla Parisi, Kylie Currier, Maddie Binding, Maddy Crateau, Mara Spears, Melanie Carter, Meredith Kercher, Paige Zavel, Rachel Cyr, Sophia Warren, Vicki Allman

May 28, 2014 · 1:09 pm

2014 Cape Ann League All-League softball team (pictures)

Amanda Schell (Player-of-the-Year)

Emily Dow (Player-of-the-Year)

Carolyn Lynch

Shortstop Rachel Gallagher

Maddie Kelly

Carley Siemasko

Cassidy Gaeta

Jen Castro and Tarah Reilly

Tyler Feeney

Hannah Lorden

Jess Collins

Kylie Gilroy

(Jackie Whelan of Lynnfield also made the CAL 2014 All-League team.)

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Masconomet, Newburyport, North Reading, Pentucket, Rockport, Triton

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Carley Siemasko, Carolyn Lynch, Cassidy Gaeta, Emily Dow, Hannah Lorden, Jackie Whelan, Jen Castro, Jess Collins, Kylie Gilroy, Maddie Kelly, Rachel Gallagher, Tara Reilly, Tyler Feeney

May 21, 2014 · 10:21 pm

Masco gets two in the bottom of the 7th to defeat North Reading 7-6

Jordan Murray about to score the winning run on a wild pitch

Jordyn Murray about to score the winning run on a wild pitch

Tayla Murray slides across with the tying run in the 7th inning

(Topsfield MA) For 2 1/2 innings Masconomet looked like anything but a softball team on a twelve game winning streak.

The rest of the way? The Division 1 Chieftains (17-2) overcame a five-run deficit and overtook Division 2 North Reading, 7-6, with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.

The Hornets (14-5) carried a 6-5 lead into the top of the seventh inning and were in an excellent position to pad their lead as they loaded the bases with one out. But Masco’s complete game winner, Emily Dow, struck out Emma Santosuosso and got Bryanne Riley to fly out keeping NR off the scoreboard.

Masconomet celebration begins

Now Masco needed a run to tie and another run to win. They got both. Emily Dow hit a two-strike single on the ground up the middle. Tayla Murray ran for her. Jordyn doubled sending her sister to third with one out. Second baseman Carly Swartz opted to come home with Kylie Currier’s grounder but Tayla Murray slid home safely to tie the score. Her sister (Jordyn) reached third on the play. A fly to center wasn’t deep enough so Jordan held at third with two out. Jordyn did get home standing up on a Kendra Butner pitch in the dirt, that eluded NR catcher Sophia Warner, to give the Chieftains the win.

The victory gives Masco the Cape Ann League Kinney Division title.

Catcher Sophia Warner waits for the throw as Sarah Webster prepares to slide in with the first Masco run

I came away impressed with the Chieftains’ hitting. They collected thirteen hits and everyone in the lineup had at least one of those hits. Eight of the hits came in the final three innings.

Junior Sophia Warren was a perfect four-for-four. She also scored a run and had an RBI for North Reading.

Kendra Butner launched a no-doubter over the fence in left in the NR fourth.

The Hornets did get five runs in the first three innings but they also stranded five runners. Once the Masco bats came to life those stranded NR runners became very important.

Julianna Kostas paced Masco with two RBI. Maddie Kelly, Alex Mendelsohn, Emily Dow, and Kylie Currier had one RBI apiece.

North Reading captains Jen Castro and Tarah Reilly

Cassidy Gaetta, Tarah Reilly, Sophia Warren, and Kendra Butner had the RBI for North Reading.

Errors by shortstop Casey Maidment (fielding) and rightfielder Jordyn Murray (throwing) gave NR two unearned runs in the first inning.

The last Masco loss? 6-5 in nine innings at North Reading. The Hornets scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to send that April game into extra innings.

The other Masco loss? 4-1 to Newburyport in the season opener.

This was the fourth one-run loss for North Reading in the Cape Ann League. The other one-run winners? Amesbury, Lynnfield, and Pentucket

A young Masco fan was hit by a hot grounder. Two North Reading players were quick to bring ice packs. Somewhere they learned that there is more to life than softball.

Emily Dow

Emily Dow played the National Anthem with her trumpet.

A key to the Masco win was limiting 2013 CAL All-League Tarah Reilly to just one hit. As shortstop, Tarah made a sure-handed play to end the sixth inning preserving NR’s one-run lead.

Maddie Kelly (2013 CAL All-Star) had a double, triple and scored a run.

Weather? Perfect with plenty of sunshine.

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

Kendra Butner reaches home after a shot over the fence in left.

attempted steal

Tarah Reilly takes in a popup as baserunner Maddie Kelly ducks out of the way

Emma Santosuosso tries to bunt as first baseman Kylie Currier charges

Cassidy Gaeta

Kendra Butner

Maddie Kelly

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Masconomet, North Reading

Tagged as Emily Dow, Jen Castro, Jordan Murray, Kendra Butner, Maddie Kelly, Sophia Warner, Tarah Reilly

May 20, 2014 · 8:45 pm

Newburyport takes a tight one from Triton 2-1

Jeremy Grabowski (#11) points baserunner Caleb Stott to home

Coach Steve Malenfant congratulates reliever Will Cataldo

(Byfield MA) It was not as if the Newburyport Clippers weren’t in familiar territory.

For the ninth time this season the Clippers found themselves in a one-run game and this time it went their way, 2-1, over Triton on a cloudy/sunny Tuesday afternoon of Cape Ann League baseball.

Newburyport (7-11) is now 5-4 in one-run games.

The loss pushes Triton (7-10) to the brink of elimination from post-season play. The Vikings must win their final three games starting with North Reading on Thursday.

Caleb Stott and Scott Webster combined (twice) to give the Clippers the runs they needed. Caleb reached base in the first and third innings, stole second both times, and scored both times on singles by Scott.

Triton had the makings of big innings in place in the second and sixth innings when they loaded the bases in each inning with one out. The Vikings only came away with one run. NHS starter Cam Beaulieu struck out Michael Talbot and Brad Whitman to end the second. In the sixth, reliever Will Cataldo K’d Jack Germinara and got a ground out from Michael Talbot to keep Triton from getting any runs in that inning.

Adam Chatterton

Junior Adam Chatterton (4-3) certainly deserved a better fate for his complete-game effort. The Triton righty allowed only four hits to go along with ten strikeouts.

Adam was the winning pitcher in Triton’s 4-1 victory over Newburyport in April.

Adam and Billy Mical paced the Vikings with two hits apiece.

Second baseman Matt Short was on the tagging end of Nick Desrocher’s steal attempt in the first inning and came up limping.

Other than Scott Webster’s throwing error in the second inning, the Clippers were flawless in the field.

Chance Carpenter looked like a dead duck when he tried to stretch a single into a double but somehow found a way to get around Brad Whitman’s tag at second. Chance then stole third with one out but Adam Chatterton retired Scott Webster and Ryan Furlong to end the threat.

Billy Mical (#9) scores the Triton run in the second

On Caleb Stott’s single in the fifth inning (that led to Newburyport’s second run) third baseman Billy Mical was in on the grass guarding against a bunt. Billy never had a chance at Caleb’s liner down the line.

Shortstop Caleb Stott was part of Newburyport’s 6-3 double-play that ended the fifth inning.

Junior Will Cataldo set the last five Triton batters down in order to get the save.

Newburyport will host Pentucket on Saturday.

Newburyport box

Triton box

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

Chance Carpenter avoids the tag at second

close play

Scott Webster steals second

Caleb Stott starts a double play

Starter Cam Beaulieu

Justin Cashman

Scott Webster (2 RBI)

Billy Mical tracks a popup

Nick Desrocher slides into second baseman Matt Short

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Newburyport, Triton

Tagged as Adam Chatterton, Caleb Stott, Cam Beaulieu, Chance Carpenter, Scott Webster, Will Cataldo

May 19, 2014 · 8:31 pm

Shelby O’Brien’s 3-run homer leads Newburyport past Triton 5-2

Taylor Johnson tagged out at third base by Meg Stanton as Triton coach Michele Brewer watches

Shelby OBrien hit a 3-run homer in the first inning

(Newburyport MA) Shelby O’Brien’s three-run homer was the big hit for Newburyport in their, 5-2, win over Triton on Monday afternoon.

A huge win for the Clippers (9-8) as they try to qualify for the post-season. They now need one win in their three remaining games to get it done.

The loss ended a three-game slide for the home team. Their next game is at Pentucket on Wednesday.

Triton (5-13) had a five game win-streak in mid-season but have struggled in the games before and after that run of good softball.

The Vikings were missing four starters (Rylee Culverwell, Casey Ross, Christine Ciccone, Julia Hartman) for today’s game. That put inexperienced players into unfamiliar places.

Newburyport scored three in the first inning and two in the third inning. Triton got its runs in the first two innings.

Morgan Johnston and Vicki Allman after the 9th Newburyport win

Senior Vicki Allman pitched a 5-hitter for the Clippers with no walks. After the first two innings, only one Viking (Emma McGonagle) was able to get to second base over the final five innings.

Vicki was hit hard in the first inning in more ways than one. Mara Spears led off with a triple to left center. Third batter (Kylie Gilroy) lined a shot off of Vicki’s left knee. Vicki was able to recover and throw Kylie out but Mara scored and Vicki went down with a sore knee. With backup pitcher Stephanie Gleason nowhere in sight, I’m not sure what NHS Lori Solazzo would have done for pitching if Vicki couldn’t continue. But Vicki did continue and immediately had another liner hit at her which she caught ending the inning.

Newburyport put up three runs of their own in their half of the first. Morgan Johnston beat out an infield hit and Carley Siemasko singled on the ground to right. Shelby O’Brien followed with a high fly deep to the right-field corner. Rightfielder Cailin Fraser had trouble finding the ball because it was over her head, hit high, and influenced by some gusty wind. Shelby was into third before the ball was even picked up and reached home easily.

The Clippers would load the bases after the homer but Mara Spears struck out Shianne Sneider to limit the damage to three runs.

Olivia Lees

Triton got a run back in the second. Sophomore Olivia Lees singled in the hole with two outs and was driven home by Taylor Johnson’s double. The inning ended with Taylor being tagged out by Newburyport third baseman Meg Stanton.

The Clippers added two runs to their 3-2 lead in their half of the third inning. Meg Stanton singled and Molly Kelley walked before junior Shianne Sneider hit an RBI single to right. Ashley Hodge followed with an RBI double to left.

That 5-2 count would hold up the rest of the way. There were few baserunners as the pitchers (Vicki Allman & Mara Spears and later Haley Johnson) threw strikes and had flawless defense behind them.

Weather? We had the Big Three in this one: cloudy, rainy, and sunny. I actually watched quite a few innings from my truck! My only regret was that Shelby’s homer was hit during the rainy part of the game and my camera was staying dry in my truck.

Casey Barlow, Kendra Dow, and Maddy Stanton were on hand to support their former Newburyport teammates.

Triton plays its last game on Wednesday at Saugus.

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

Vicki Allman caught in a rundown

Shianne Sneider (one RBI) reaches 3B as Emma McGonagle awaits the throw

Meg Stanton sets to throw out baserunner Shannon Lyons

Infield grounder gets by second baseman Kylie Gilroy

Mara Spears watches the pitcher

Second baseman Molly Kelley camps under a popup

Haley Johnson

Triton pitcher Haley Johnson throws to 1B Lilly Anderson

Carley Siemasko looks for a popup hit by Mara Spears

Shannon Lyons tracks down a base hit

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Newburyport, Triton

Tagged as Mara Spears, Shelby O'Brien, Vicki Allman

May 15, 2014 · 10:02 pm

Manchester-Essex outlasts Ipswich 10-9 in Cape Ann League baseball

Hunter Flood in the home run trot. The sophomore had five RBI for the Hornets

Liam Logue drives in the 10th ME run

(Ipswich MA) If there is such a thing as a hitters’ duel this was it.

Both Manchester-Essex and Ipswich took plenty of good hacks but it was the Hornets coming away with a 10-9 win on a warm Thursday afternoon.

The Hornets (4-12) took the lead with a 3-run first inning and never trailed. The Tigers (3-12) were within a run with two runners on in both the 6th and 7th innings. ME sophomore reliever Brad Graves got Austin Rubino to pop out to the catcher ending the 6th while junior closer Craig Carter got an infield grounder from Erik Gongas to finish the game.

Today’s game was the last home game for six Ipswich seniors (Jon O’Brien, Erik Gongas, Freddy Cerendolo, Austin Rubino, Ryan Silva and Sean Whooley) and they were recognized by Coach Gardy O’Flynn before the game.

Manchester-Essex jumped into a 7-2 lead after two innings thanks primarily to Hunter Flood. The ME sophomore drove across two in the first with a single and three in the second with a homer over the leftfield fence.

Mike Loebelenz got the win for Manchester-Essex

Ipswich had eleven hits off of Hornets starter (and winner) Mike Loebelenz through five innings. But the Tigers were never able to get more than two runs in any inning despite all the solid raps and trailed 9-7 after five.

The biggest run in the game was the Hornets’ tenth run. The crucial insurance run came in the 7th inning. Brandon Bartlett walked and pinchrunner Chris Carr stole second. Liam Logue’s two-out single through the left side of the IHS infield brought Chris home.

Senior Sean Whooley had four hits and two rbi in his last game on Mile Lane for Ipswich.

Sophomore Alex Morris also had two rbi to go with three hits.

The good crowd on hand saw a very bizarre second inning. After Sean Whooley singled, Mike Savoie grounded to third. ME third baseman Kevin Carter threw wide to second but Sean didn’t realize he was safe. So as he’s jogging off he’s suddenly caught in a rundown between 2B and 3B. No sooner did Sean get tagged out when Mike Savoie is caught in a rundown between 1B and 2B. Fortunately for Mike, the ME rundown ended with a throw into the woods by catcher Dom Cirone that allowed Mike to reach third.

Dom Cirone (3 hits) camps under a popup

Dom Cirone paced the Hornets scoring three times and getting three hits. Hunter Flood and Ethan Ketchum each had two hits. The ME hit total reached twelve off of IHS starter Ryan Silva and reliever Austin Rubino.

ME rightfielder Chuck Otterbein made a terrific running catch on Freddy Cerendolo’s drive in the gap in the third inning.

Manchester-Essex still has a chance to get into the Division 4 post-season tournament. Only the Hornets games versus D4 opponents count toward making the post-season. The Hornets have three games left with D4 opposition (Cristo Rey, Georgetown, and Rockport). ME has to win two of those games to qualify. It’ll be tough since the Hornets have already lost to Cristo Rey and Georgetown this season.

Dan Bennett looks for the plate

The Tigers defeated ME, 12-3, in an earlier meeting.

Today’s winning pitcher (senior Mike Loebelenz) also had victories over Triton and Hamilton-Wenham this season.

Weather? Comfortably warm with clouds showing up to cool things a bit.

Manchester-Essex box

Ipswich box

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

Sean Whooley (4 hits) in a rundown

Jake Long finds a way home

ME closer Craig Carter (#3)

Freddy Cerendolo

Kevin and Sean Whooley

Chuck Otterbein dives into third

Leftfielder Jake Long eyes the home run ball (upper left)

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Filed under Cape Ann League, Ipswich, Manchester-Essex

Tagged as Austin Morris, Craig Carter, Freddy Cerendolo, Hunter Flood, Liam Logue, Sean Whooley

May 14, 2014 · 10:32 pm

Amesbury defeats Lynnfield 6-4 in eight innings in Cape Ann League softball

Amanda Schell and Rachel Cyr race home on a 2-run single by Zoe Fitzgerald in the 8th inning

Second baseman Lauren Fedorchak squeezed the final out

(Lynnfield MA) Converting second chances played a big part in Amesbury’s, 6-4, win over Lynnfield in eight innings on a sunny Wednesday afternoon of Cape Ann League softball.

The Indians (11-4) had the Pioneers (8-9) down by three runs, 4-1, with two outs in the seventh inning. However, a boot by AHS shortstop Maddie Napoli and a dropped popup by second baseman Lauren Fedorchak delivered the tying runs for the Pioneers.

That exciting seventh inning ended for Lynnfield with Malia Roberto, carrying the winning run, getting tagged out at third by Autumn Kligerman.

The visitors had only five hits off of LHS pitcher Sadie Oliver but collected two of them in the extra inning. Amanda Schell singled and Rachel Cyr walked to start the inning. They both moved up on a fielder’s choice and scored easily on sophomore Zoe Fitzgerald’s sharp single up the middle.

Autumn Kligerman tags Malia Roberto to end the 7th inning

Those two runs looked to be enough………..unless you recalled the previous inning in which three runs looked like enough! After two outs Lynnfield had two straight singles (Lauren Guerra and Hannah Travers) and visions of the previous inning started dancing in everyone’s head. But second baseman Lauren Fedorchak was given a second chance to end the game and this time held onto Rachel Buzzotta’s popup to do just that.

Amesbury has won five straight and have made the post-season tournament. For the Indians the final five games will be about getting as high a seed as possible in the Division 3 state tournament.

Lynnfield still has to make the tournament. Ten wins will do it. They must win at least two of their last three games. I like their chances of getting what they need since they’ll be playing three teams (Ipswich, Georgetown, Manchester-Essex) with losing records.

Rachel Cyr

The Pioneers certainly had plenty of hits (ten) off of AHS pitcher Rachel Cyr but stranded ten runners. Why LHS didn’t score more times with all their hits was because three Pioneers (Hannah Travers, Annika Han, and Lauren Guerra) had eight of the ten hits.

Amesbury started the scoring with a tainted run in the second inning. Autumn Kligerman doubled but reached third on a bad relay throw from leftfielder Malia Roberto. Autumn later slide home on a wild pitch by Sadie Oliver.

The Indians started the fourth inning with two straight hits (Meg Aponas single, Amanda Schell double). Rachel Cyr’s sacrifice fly scored Meg. Before the inning was over Amesbury would get two more runners to third (Amanda Schell, Autumn Kligerman) and both would come home on wild pitches.

Amesbury carried a 4-0 lead into the sixth inning. In that inning Annika Han of Lynnfield singled, stole second, and reached third on a passed ball. Malia Roberto’s single into right field put the Pioneers on the board.

The exciting seventh saw Lynnfield rally to tie the score, only to lose in the eighth inning.

Hannah Travers (#20) made a super catch in center field

The good crowd on hand saw a terrific running catch by centerfielder Hannah Travers to take away a double and possibly more from Meg Aponas to end the sixth inning. The LHS junior went straight back and dove to make the catch.

Third baseman Autumn Kligerman had a strong game at third for Amesbury especially in the third inning when the AHS junior had three assists.

Weather? Just terrific. After yesterday’s 50’s I was overdressed for today’s 70’s.

Autumn Kligerman and Amanda Schell each scored two runs for Amesbury.

Amesbury won the previous meeting this season between the two teams, 9-7, on April 11th.

Next game for the Indians is at Rockport on Thursday.

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

Amanda Schell at third

Sadie Oliver

Zoe Fitzgerald – two rbi in the 8th inning

Third baseman Autumn Kligerman throws to first baseman Zoe Fitzgerald

Maddie Napoli looks for the handle

MacKenzie Comeau

Rachel Buzzotta

AHS coach Chris Perry instructs Meg Aponas

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Lynnfield

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Autumn Kligerman, Rachel Cyr, Sadie Oliver, Zoe Fitzgerald

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.