June 10, 2012 · 10:58 pm

Dracut defeats Danvers 6-1 in Division 2 North softball semifinals

Ryan Madison scores the third run for Dracut

Lauren Ramirez – eight strikeouts

(Lowell)  Dracut (22-1) rolled along into the D2 North finals (Monday 3:30PM) with a 6-1 victory over Danvers on a warm Sunday afternoon at Martin Field.

Dracut will face Winchester for the D2 North title on Monday afternoon at Martin Field.

Danvers (19-4) hung with the Middies into the fifth inning, trailing only 2-1, but then Falcon miscues in the field gifted Dracut with four back-breaking runs.

Dracut ace Lauren Ramirez tossed a 3-hitter with eight strikeouts.  The talented junior had five of those K’s in the last two innings.

The Middies collected nine hits off Kendall Meehan bunching four each in the productive first and fifth.

Amanda Vallante led off the first inning with a single, was sacrificed (Samantha Durand) to second, and driven home by Lauren Ramirez.  Lauren’s courtesy runner (Kaylee DiCamillo) was delivered by Kaleigh Bishop-Kotarba’s single to center.

Caitlin McBride heads for third

Down 2-0 after one inning, Danvers picked up a run in the second.  Two bobbles by the left side of the Middies infield enabled Caitlin McBride (who had lead off with a walk) to cross with the Falcon run.  Danvers left the bases loaded in that second inning.

Dracut put the game out of reach in the fifth.  A dropped throw (first baseman Devyn Downs) put runners on first and third.  Samantha Durand sliced a single to right scoring Ryan Madison.

If Danvers could have stopped the bleeding immediately with a two-run deficit they might have had a chance to make things interesting in the last two innings….but they didn’t.

Catcher Genevieve Benoit and pitcher Kendall Meehan collided fielding a bunt attempt and the Middies had the bases loaded with two outs.  Left fielder Nicole Smith took a chance on making a catch on Kaleigh Bishop-Kotarba’s line drive her way.  However, the ball bounced in front of Nicole and then by her.  All three Dracut base runners scored giving the Middies a 6-1 lead.

Lauren Ramirez made that five-run advantage stand up and Dracut moved on to the finals against Winchester on Monday afternoon.

Kaleigh Bishop-Kotarba had two hits for Dracut.  Julia Saggese did the same for Danvers.

Brittany Dougal

Freshman Brittany Dougal made several nice plays for the Falcons at shortstop.

Lauren Ramirez’s father Ray called the pitches for his daughter.

When Chrissy Gikas batted the centerfielder Amanda Vallante was standing behind second.

Middies??  Dracut was where the first US Navy uniforms were created.

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

Catcher Sam DiBella waits to tag Shannon Ramirez

Julia Saggese tries for second

signal giver

Amanda Vallante

Cassie Durand

Kaylee Kacavas

 

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June 10, 2012 · 8:30 pm

Matignon gains Division 3 North softball title with 3-1 win over St. Mary’s

Matignon – Division 3 North softball champions

Lauren Doneski – limited the Spartans to four hits

(Lowell) Matignon defeated St. Mary’s 3-1 as familiar foes from the Catholic Central Large went at it in the Division 3 North softball finals on sunny Sunday afternoon at Martin Field.

The win gets the Warriors (17-8) into the state semi-finals against Case High School from Swansea.

St. Mary’s (17-7) had won the D3 North the last four years and were state champs in 2009 and 2010.

The Spartans (#4 seed) usually feature pitcher Brooke L’Abbe and plenty of hitting.  Unfortunately versus Matignon, Brooke did her part (ten strikeouts) but the hitting (four hits) was scattered at best.

Matignon pitcher Lauren Doneski never struck anyone out but was hardly ever hit hard.  The Warrior senior allowed just two hits over the final five innings and St. Mary’s left only one runner on base during those five innings.

Both teams had “fall-apart” innings.  For Matignon (#16 seed) it was in the second.  For St. Mary’s it was in the third.  Both teams were able to limit the bleeding but Matignon came away with enough runs to win the game.

Nina Murray slides into third as Jocelyn Tagher awaits throw

In the St. Mary’s second, with courtesy runner Nina Murray on second, Warrior second baseman Julia Graf dropped Tatiana Doucette’s popup.  After the drop, Julia tried to get Nina trying for third and her throw went past Matignon third baseman Jocelyn Tagher allowing Nina to score with one out.  The Spartans would eventually have runners on second (Molly Doyle) and third (Tatiana Doucette) with two outs before Lauren Doneski got Alison Butler to pop out to shortstop to end the inning.

Ahead 1-0 after two innings, it was St. Mary’s turn to allow an extra out and suffer the consequences.  After a Julia Graf walk, right fielder Abbe Caggiano dropped a long fly by Sarah Gauthier setting up Matignon with runners on first and third with one out.  Kayla McKinnon bunted to third but on the throw to first Julia Graf darted home with Matignon’s first run.  Equally important was that during the throw to first and then home, Sarah Gauthier reached third with two outs.  Lauren Doneski’s single to short left delivered Sarah with the Warrior’s important second run.

So after innings in which each team’s defense was a bit shaky, Matignon came out ahead, 2-1, after 2 ½ innings.

Brooke LAbbe – ten strikeouts

The Warriors grabbed some breathing room in the sixth.  Lauren Doneski walked (Brooke L’Abbe’s only walk of the game) and was sacrificed to second by Diana Golini with two outs.  Junior Ryen Cahill then ripped a double down the left field line getting Lauren home.

Brooke had a single with one out in the bottom of the sixth but that was all the Warriors allowed the rest of the way.

Alison Butler, Brooke L’Abbe, Tatiana Doucette, and Molly Doyle had hits for St. Mary’s.

Sarah Gauthier, Lauren Doneski, Eileen Bergin, Diana Golini, and Ryen Cahill had hits for Matignon.

Matignon of Cambridge and St. Mary’s of Lynn met twice during the regular season with each team winning once.

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

Coach Colleen Newbury

Matignon gets D3 North trophy

Molly Doyle

Isabella Palange catches the final out

Matignon coach Jessica DePolito

Lauren Doneski scores third Warrior run

Tatiana Doucette out stealing

Alison Butler steals second

Ryen Cahill

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June 9, 2012 · 8:08 pm

St. Mary’s defeats Rockport 8-1 in the Division 3 North softball semi-finals

This was the view looking down the third baseline before the first weather delay.

Alison Butler stands on second after driving in two runs in the fourth.

(Lowell) My mother used to have to tell me to come in out of the rain.  During thunder and lightning I didn’t have to be told!

That’s why, after 3 ½ innings I left the St. Mary’s/Rockport game as it went into it’s second delay.  The first delay was over a downpour that necessitated work on the infield after it ended.  The second delay was over dark clouds, rumbles of thunder and lightning.

When I saw the players heading for their buses, as I sat it my car during the second delay, I was not optimistic about the game resuming.  So I headed for home…….and missed the final 3 ½ innings of St. Mary’s 8-1 win over Rockport in the Division 3 North softball semi-finals on Friday afternoon/evening.

Brooke LAbbe – winning pitcher

When I left after 3 ½ innings, the Spartans had a commanding 5-0 lead and St. Mary’s starter Brooke L’Abbe had retired nine Vikings in a row after leadoff batter Hannah Lorden’s ground single in the first.

After being retired one-two-three in the first inning St. Mary’s displayed it’s long game with doubles in each of the next three innings.

Two of those doubles (Kaleigh Finigan and Brooke L’Abbe) were hit over outfielders’ heads.  The other was a “speed” double by Alison Butler.  Those extra-base hits drove in four of the five Spartan runs.

Rockport threatened in the first.  Hannah Lorden singled and got as far as third before catcher Mollie Watson ended the inning flying to left.

Rockport (16-5) finishes with their best softball record in school history.  They’ll have some key players to replace, especially four-year pitcher Kristin Turner, but several of the Cape Ann League’s best (shortstop Gabby Muniz and catcher Mollie Watson) have Viking season’s ahead.

St. Mary’s resume is enough to scare most teams.  They were state champs in 2009 & 2010.  They’ve been D3 North champs for four straight seasons.  Any losses they have are usually to higher division opponents.

St. Mary’s will face league rival Matignon in the final on Sunday at 1PM at Martin Field in Lowell.  (My intentions are to be there……..for the whole game!)

Kaleigh Finigan – missed the Spartan loss to Matignon during the regular season

The Spartans have defeated Matignon two of the three times they played each other this season.  The 9-7 Matignon win on May 4th would need some sort of asterisk beside it since Spartan slugger Kaleigh Finigan didn’t play.

Two things that caught my attention during this game: (1) St. Mary’s outfielders play extremely shallow, and (2) Rockport’s first baseman (Kendra Adams) and third baseman (Kayla Parisi) were halfway between their bases and home during the at-bats of the first two Spartan batters.

The Spartan outfielders were very fast so even if a ball went over their heads the runner would only get a double.  During the three Rockport innings I saw, the Spartan outfielder never had to move back once.

That playing-close routine at first and third is worrisome to me.  I would like it a lot better if the fielders were wearing protective masks, but they weren’t.  I know that the theory for the positioning is to have to cover less ground on a bunt but without a mask it’s way too risky for my taste.
(All of the pictures above and below enlarge if you click on them.)

Victoria Viger catches a popup in the second inning.

Kendra Adams chases a foul pop in front of the Spartan dugout. (The ball is along the railing.)

Courtesy runner Cassandra LaFauci heads for third and home on the Kaleigh Finigan single in the third.

catcher Genevieve Benoit

Gabby Muniz

Meghan Tupper

Kristin Turner

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June 7, 2012 · 10:58 pm

Winchester runs its shutout streak to three games defeating Newburyport 2-0 in Division 2 North softball

Rory Connolly beating out a bunt in the first inning. She would later score the first Winchester run on an Emma Morton double.

Winchester celebrates a trip to the D2 North finals

(Lowell)  The Winchester Sachems added seven more shutout innings to their 2012 post-season run as they defeated Newburyport, 2-0, on overcast Thursday night at Martin Field in the Division 2 North semi-finals.

Winchester (16-5) will get either Dracut or Danvers on Sunday afternoon at Martin Field for the D2 North title.

The Sachems have shut out all three opponents in the D2 tournament and it was easy to see during four hitless innings that sophomore pitcher Rachel Smith was part of the reason.  Rachel recorded five of her six strikeouts in the first four innings.

Winchester jumped off to a 1-0 lead in the first.  Rory Connolly led off with a bunt single and reached third after a sacrifice bunt (Anne DeRosa) and a fielder’s choice (Rachel Smith).  Junior Emma Morton ripped a double to right center scoring Rory.

Newburyport (13-10) from the Cape Ann League came to life in the final three innings.  All four of their hits came during that segment and they stranded six runners.

Julia Staffiere – her triple drove in a run in the fifth

During the fifth inning Winchester added a second run.  Maddie Lepore reached on a flair behind first with no outs.  Andrea Cantalupa came on as a courtesy runner for Maddie.  Julia Staffiere delivered Andrea with a hot shot over the third base bag that rolled all the way to the left field corner for a triple.  Julia’s RBI gave the #7 seeded Sachems a 2-0 lead heading into the final two innings.

That lead would be severely threatened by the Clippers in the final two frames.

Newburyport (#14 seed) loaded the bases in the sixth.  Singles by Kendra Dow and Lea Tomasz were followed by Rachel Smith’s bobble of a Carley Siemasko grounder with two outs.  Rachel recovered from the error to retire Beth Castantini on a routine fly ball to center to end the bases-loaded threat.

The Clippers took another run at the Sachems in the seventh.  Newburyport had two loud outs (Maddy Stanton liner to center & Casey Barlow’s shot that shortstop Catherine Pitts speared) as well as a walk (Vicky Allman) and a single (Jackie Krusemark).  But again Winchester escaped being scored on as Kendra Dow grounded out to second to end the game.

Molly Rowe and Beth Castantini

Beth Castantini had a strong outing in her final endeavor as a Newburyport Clipper allowing only five hits.  She also struck out five Sachems and walked no one.

Catcher Emma Morton stroked two doubles and had several long-distance foul balls for the team from the Middlesex League.

Kendra Dow hurt her leg lunging for first on the last out of the Clipper season.

Clipper catcher Lauren Singer made a nice catch of a foul pop in the fourth inning.

Maddie Lepore saves a run with this two-out catch in the third inning.

Maddie Lepore jumped to make a run-saving catch in right field in the third inning.  Casey Barlow was on second for the Clippers at the time after reaching on shortstop Catherine Pitts’ two-base throwing error.

The weather?  Downpour an hour before game time delayed the ending of the Mystic Valley/Matignon game.  By the time the Clipper/Sachem game started the rain had stopped but threatening clouds had me wondering when the next deluge would drop.  But thankfully, the rain stayed away.

Winchester box score

Newburyport box score

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

Emma Morton – two doubles and an RBI

Anne DeRosa tosses to first for the final out of the game

Lauren Singer corrals a popup

Rachel Smith – four-hitter with six strikeouts

season-ending walkoff

watching the action

Kendra Dow and Lea Tomasz

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June 6, 2012 · 9:27 pm

Northeast Regional defeats Boston International 7-0 in Division 4 North baseball semi-finals

Shawn Withrow (2 steals) steals second in the first inning.

Jake Crowley tossed a one-hitter with ten strikeouts

(Lynn)  The combination of Jake Crowley’s one-hitter and shaky Boston International defense gave Northeast Regional (Wakefield) a 7-0 victory in the D4 North semi-finals on a pleasant Wednesday afternoon at Fraser Field in Lynn.

The win earns the #1 seed Golden Knights a trip to the Division 4 North finals on Saturday (10AM) against Georgetown at LeLacheur Park in Lowell.

Northeast starter Jake Crowley was impressive.  The senior lefty kept #4 seed BI off balance most of the time wracking up ten strikeouts.  After Carlos Jimenes’ ground single up the middle in the second, Jake didn’t allow a base runner over the final 5 1/3  innings.

Northeast Regional (17-5) is good but Boston International (Dorchester) made things way too easy for the eventual winners with a nightmarish afternoon in the field.

BI starter Leonel Mojica allowed only four hits and had eight strikeouts but he also gave up six walks.  Four of the walk recipients ended up scoring.

Frank Rosario about to tag out Jake Crowley

The aggressive Knights ran wild on the bases with six steals in seven attempts.  BI catcher Randy Gonzalez did get Jake Crowley in the fourth inning.

The unhealthy trio of walks, hits, and stolen bases was going to lead to runs sooner or later……. but not seven of them.  Only two of the Northeast runs came that way.

This game got out of hand when centerfielder Alfredo Frias dropped routine two-out flies in the second and sixth.

The first time it happened the bases were loaded.  All three Knight runners were off with the sound of the bat and when Jason Harper’s fly wasn’t caught, Hector Nunez, Shawn Withrow, and Jake Crowley crossed the plate.  So instead of a 2-0 deficit the Lions trailed 5-0 after two innings.

Joe Tallent scored two runs including this one in the sixth.

Those five runs already looked like a pretty high mountain to climb for the Lions but the Knights collected two more unearned runs in the sixth.  Pinch hitter CJ Pettigrew doubled to left and Joe Tallent walked with two outs before another fly ball to center was dropped and two more gift runs came across making it 7-0.

Casey Orlando had two of the Knights four hits.

Knight shortstop Jonathan Dalba made a nice running catch of Frank Rosario’s bloop into short left.

Northeast coach Steve Montello kept his ace Jason Harper off the field (he usually plays third when he isn’t pitching) to rest him for the D4 North finals.

The Lions (13-7) were the champs of the Boston City League South and had defeated North Shore Tech, 4-3, on Tuesday.

Northeast gets a rematch with Georgetown.  They lost last year in the semis to the Royals.

Who can figure the weather?  I came expecting clouds/rain/cold and sat through clouds/sun/heat.

Jason Harper

Northeast is from the Commonwealth Athletic Conference.  Jason Harper was league MVP.  He is 10-1 with two saves and is almost certain to be on the mound Saturday against Georgetown ace Ryan Browner.  That should be a good one!

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

pregame grooming

Angeli Rosario

Coach Steve Montello checks with Jake Crowley in the 7th inning

Guest is Boston International and Home is Northeast Regional. This was just before the final out.

Boston International coach

Casey Orlando (2 hits) lines up a fly ball

BI pitcher Leonel Mojica

Shawn Withrow scores first Knight run

Hector Nunez locates a foul pop.

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June 3, 2012 · 7:34 pm

Danvers edges Amesbury 2-0 in Division 2 North quarterfinals softball

Caitlin McBride scores the first of Danvers two runs in the crucial second inning.

Kendall Meehan pitched a 5-hit shutout and drove in a run with a walk.

(Danvers)  It was one of the better two-strike at bats you’ll ever see in a high school softball game.  With the bases loaded, Danvers’ Kendall Meehan spoiled at least five two-strike pitches before earning a run-producing walk in the Falcons second inning.

That run and another one in the same inning were enough for #4 seed Danvers (19-3) as they defeated #5 seed Amesbury, 2-0, in the Division 2 North softball quarterfinals on a misty Sunday afternoon at Great Oak School in Danvers.

The Falcons next opponent will be either #1 seed Dracut or #8 seed Arlington.  Those two teams are scheduled to play on Tuesday night.

This game was quickly played (75 minutes) and there was little to choose between Amesbury starter junior Carolina Merrill (four hits and three strikeouts) and Danvers’ starter sophomore Kendall Meehan (five hits and two strikeouts) except for the game-deciding second inning.

In the decisive second, freshman Caitlin McBride doubled to left center and reached third on Devyn Downs’ sacrifice fly with one out.  Julia Saggese’s single to left drove in Caitlin with the first Falcon run.

Amesbury has trouble with a bunt in the second.

The second Danvers run of the inning was tainted.  Devin Johnson had walked before Julia’s single so there were runners on first and second with one out.  Erica Fleming’s bunt attempt was mishandled by Indian third baseman Autumn Kligerman loading the bases with two out.  Kendall Meehan then delivered Devin with the second run on the crucial walk I described above.  Carolina Merrill retired the next batter to end the inning but the unearned second run was on the books.

The Indians (16-6) had several promising innings but the combination of flawless Falcon defense and Kendall Meehan’s pitching preserved the shutout.

Amesbury didn’t do itself any favors by having leadoff batters doubled off first in the first (Amanda Schell) and the second (Erin Leary).

Amanda Schell reaches third in the fourth inning.

The Indians threatened in the fourth.  Amanda Schell doubled to right-center leading off but only got as far as third.

In the fifth, Amesbury put two hits together (Alexis Boswell and Rachel Cyr) with two outs but Kendall K’d her mound opponent Carolina Merrill to close out the inning.

Amesbury’s Jenna Barley singled in the seventh and reached second on a sacrifice fly with two outs but a routine grounder to shortstop Brittany Dougal ended the game.

Danvers only opportunity to score other than the second inning was in the fifth when both Brittany Dougal (double) and Chrissy Gikas (Amanda Schell error) reached with one out. But Carolina Merrill pitched her way out of that one with a popup and a ground out.

Shortstop Brittany Dougal prepares to record the final out of the game.

Amesbury has no seniors on the 2012 team.  Juniors Cassie Schultz and Erin Leary made the All-League team in the Cape League this season.  Teammates Amanda Schell (sophomore) and Carolina Merrill (junior) were named CAL All-Stars.

Danvers coach Tara Petrocelli (second year) was the Coach of the Year in the NEC South.

Kendall Meehan is now 13-3.

Kendall Meehan, Sam DiBella, and Chrissy Gikas made the 2012 Northeast Conference South All-Star team.

I was told that the Great Oak School field was waterlogged Saturday but town workers made it playable today.  It was in terrific shape.

(The pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Julia Saggese – drove in first run

Chrissy Gikas

Falcon gathering

Rachel Cyr

Carolina Merrill – allowed only four hits

Caitlin McBride reaches third in the second inning.

Shortstop Amanda Schell locates a popup.

Third baseman Caitlin McBride

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May 23, 2012 · 8:50 pm

Amesbury hangs on to defeat Newburyport, 7-6, in Cape Ann League softball

Newburyport seniors Beth Castantini, Molly Rowe, and Maddy Stanton after playing their last home game.

Cassie Schultz waits for Casey Barlow to arrive

(Newburyport) The Amesbury Indians (15-4) swept the season series with Newburyport on the strength of a 7-6 win at Perkins Playground on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in Cape Ann League softball.

Newburyport (10-8) gave away five runs in the field during the first two innings but came back with their bats to nearly pull this one out in the bottom of the seventh.

This was the last regular season home game for Newburyport’s three seniors (Beth Castantini, Molly Rowe, and Maddy Stanton) and they were honored by NHS coach Lori Solazzo before the game.

Sophomore Amanda Schell was the hitting star for the Indians collecting four RBI including two in Amesbury’s 2-run sixth.  Those two runs provided the winning margin as the Clippers tallied two runs in the bottom of the seventh to get within one run.

Amanda Schell – two hits and four RBI

In their previous meeting, Amesbury won 9-2 on April 24th.  That time around starter Carolina Merrill tossed a 4-hitter to get the victory.  This time around Newburyport stroked thirteen hits but could never get more than two runs in an inning.

The first inning was not pretty for either team defensively.  I counted five throwing errors by some normally reliable infielders on both teams.  Second baseman Alexis Boswell had a bobble on a potential inning-ending grounder.

When the defensive dust settled Amesbury led, 4-2, after one inning.

The Indians picked up another tainted run in the second.  A two-out, strikeout by Molly Rowe got past catcher Lauren Singer and Janine Fatal raced home with Amesbury’s fifth run.

Newburyport trailed, 5-2, going into the bottom of the fourth but ran themselves out of a promising inning.  A Casey Barlow single to left was followed by Lauren Singer’s single to right sending Casey to third with one out.  Amy Sullivan was put in as a courtesy runner for Lauren.  Amy tried to steal second but Indian catcher Cassie Schultz threw a strike to Amanda Schell to nab Amy.  Casey Barlow broke for home as the play at second was completed and Amanda threw a strike back to Cassie getting Casey by plenty.

The Clippers picked up two runs in the fifth to close to 5-4.  Kendra Dow singled and reached third after two infield outs.  Carley Siemasko brought Kendra home with a single to left.  Later it was Beth Castantini delivering Lea Tomasz with a single up the middle.

Janine Fatal scores an Amesbury run

Amesbury answered with two runs of their own in the sixth.  A walk (Rachel Cyr) and a single (Alexis Boswell) forced a Clipper pitching change as Beth Castantini replaced Molly Rowe.  After Alexis stole second Amanda Schell hit a loud double to left center deep enough to score both runners.

Newburyport made things interesting in their last at-bats.  They got runners (Lea Tomasz and Carley Siemasko) on first and second with two outs.  Senior Beth Castantini drove in Lea and fellow senior Maddy Stanton brought home Carley.  But that’s where the comeback ended as AHS pitcher Carolina Merrill got Vicki Allman to pop out to first baseman McKenzie Cloutier.

Janine Fatal and Amanda Schell each had two hits to pace Amesbury.  Janine and Alexis Boswell both scored two runs.

Carley Siemasko – had three hits and scored two runs

Freshman Carley Siemasko had three hits for the Clippers while Kendra Dow, Lea Tomasz, and Beth Castantini collected two hits.  Beth had two RBI.

Third baseman Maddy Stanton turned a pop fly into a double play in the 4th inning.

Indian pitcher Carolina Merrill had Lea Tomasz’ line drive go off her leg in the 7th inning.

A dog joined the action in the 4th inning even bringing along his own ball.

Amesbury has a 15-4 season going with no seniors.  The Indians close their regular season tomorrow (Thursday) at St. Mary’s.

The Clippers will be involved in the North Andover tournament starting on Friday.

Both Amesbury and Newburyport have qualified for the post-season tournament.  The Clippers will be playing on the road whereas the Indians may get a home game or two.

I can report now that this game was not at Cashman or Bresnahan?  Only an individual who had gone to both places could give you that sort of information.

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

NHS coaches Mark Rowe and Lori Solazzo

Amanda Schell jumps for second as Kendra Dow reaches for the throw

ready to play

Pitcher Molly Rowe fires to first as Maddy Stanton and AHS coach Chris Perry watch

Lea Tomasz beats the tag of AHS catcher Cassie Schultz

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May 19, 2012 · 9:55 pm

Big inning gets Georgetown by Amesbury 9-3 in Cape Ann League baseball

CJ Ingraham scores on a wild pitch in the seven-run third inning.

Jeff Moore – struck out six and allowed two hits in six innings of pitching

(Georgetown)  Georgetown (7-10) combined four hits and four walks with three Amesbury (3-14) miscues in the third inning to get seven runs and defeat the Indians, 9-3, on a very pleasant Saturday afternoon for Cape Ann League baseball.

The game was originally scheduled for 10AM but with the Georgetown junior/senior prom the night before, the game was rescheduled for 2PM.

Junior Jeff Moore dominated Amesbury over six shutout innings allowing just two hits (Shawn Bannon & Ben Cullen).  Jeff also had six strikeouts and limited the Indians to just four base runners.

The game didn’t get out of hand until the bottom of the third.  The Royals only had a 1-0 lead at that time.

The bottom of the third, however, was a seven-run disaster for Amesbury.  AHS starter Nick Hawrylciw walked the bases loaded with one out.  Indian coach Gene Burnham lifted Nick for shortstop Ben Cullen.  Nick took Ben’s place at short.

AHS starter Nick Hawrylciw ran into trouble in the third

That switch didn’t work out so well for either player.  Ben had a wild pitch, gave up two walks and two hits while Nick had two errors at short.

As luck would have it, after seven runs had crossed for Georgetown, Coach Burnham switched Ben and Nick back to their original positions and sure enough Nick’s first pitch produced a grounder to Ben that he handled cleanly to end the inning.

GHS coach Justin Spurr used mostly reserves after the fifth inning and they were able to get a run off of Devlin Gobiel in the sixth.  Nick Correnti’s high hopper drove in Kevin Terban with G’town’s ninth run.

Coach Spurr let Mark Berkland pitch the seventh inning and he gave up five straight singles before getting an out.  Noah Kligerman, Adam Ivanic, and Devlin Gobiel drove in the three Amesbury runs in that final inning as the Indians batted around.

Amesbury has now lost ten of their last eleven games.  Their next game is home on Tuesday against Newburyport.

Georgetown travels to North Shore Tech on Monday.

Pitcher Devlin Gobiel fields a high hopper in the sixth.

Every park is a little different.  At Georgetown they provide a program and they also announce the names of the players batting and any substitutions made.

The Georgetown right fielder disappeared into the lush vegetation in foul territory and came out with the ball.

In the section I was sitting in there was news that Tyler Wade had been voted King of the Prom.

All nine starters for Georgetown reached base in some fashion.

Both Colby Ingraham and Ryan Browner were picked off first base.

CJ Ingraham had a 2-run single in the decisive third inning.

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

slide into third

Ryan Browner

Allen Navarro slides into second

Troy Eaton

Mark Berkland

Catcher Mac Short chases a foul popup

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May 18, 2012 · 9:03 pm

North Reading wins 9th straight routing Amesbury 14-1 in Cape Ann League softball

Sophie Warren tries for third

Tarah Reilly – four hits and five RBI

(Amesbury)  I have seen ten of the twelve softball teams in the Cape Ann League (missed Pentucket and Georgetown) this season and in my opinion there is none better than the senior-less North Reading Hornets.

The Hornets mugged a good Amesbury team, 14-1, on a beautiful Friday afternoon.

Amesbury (13-4) played the Hornets (15-2) a month ago and lost a close one (2-0) at North Reading.  There was no similarity between that game and the one I saw this afternoon at Amesbury.

NR was ahead 8-1 after 2 ½ innings and never in trouble thereafter.

Amesbury starter Carolina Merrill limited North Reading to three hits a month ago but this time around everyone in the Hornet lineup had at least one hit.  NR totaled sixteen hits.

Tarah Reilly whacked a bases-loaded triple in the third and Terri Ferrazzani did the same thing in the seventh.

Tarah had four hits for the Hornets batting second and drove in five runs.  The NR sophomore did a good job in the first inning of dirtying up her uniform as she tripped rounding third and ended up diving back into third.

Amesbury’s only run was in the second.  Alexis Boswell singled in the infield and reached third on a wild pitch and a fielder’s choice.  Rachel Cyr singled Alexis home from there.

Terri Ferrazzani – scattered seven hits and had a 3-run triple

But that was it for the Indians even though they ended up with seven hits off NR pitcher Terri Ferrazzani and left runners in every inning.  Amesbury, however, never had more than one hit in an inning except the second when they scored their run.

The Indians hurt themselves in the field in a couple of innings.  A bobble by second baseman Alexis Boswell in the second opened that inning.  Later with runners on first (Shelby Carney) and third (Leslie Zewiey), NR sent Shelby into a rundown.  Leslie was able to score while the rundown was underway and then Amesbury threw the ball away during the rundown and Shelby ended up on third. Shelby would later cross home with NR’s third run of the inning on Tarah Reilly’s single.

There were two drops by first baseman Sarah McCullough in the sixth that gave the Hornets an unearned run.

NR had three triples in the game.

North Reading has won nine straight.  They have Manchester-Essex away on Monday and finish with Lynnfield and Tewksbury.

The Hornets are undefeated (13-0) in the Cape Ann League.  AHS coach Chris Perry’s recollection was that the last undefeated CAL softball team was his in 2006.

Tewksbury defeated NR early in the season.  Masco was the other team to have a win over North Reading.  Two weeks later Masco and NR met again and the Hornets won, 17-2!

Not only did everyone in the North Reading lineup have hits but all of them scored at least one run.  Remarkable display of top-to-bottom hitting.

North Reading arrived a half hour late minus Coach Rusty Russell.  Rusty was singing at a funeral so assistant coach Nicole Zimmerman ran the team.

Autumn Kligerman – 2 hits for Amesbury

Alexis Boswell and Autumn Kligerman had two hits apiece for the Indians.  Autumn was sick and unable to play until the third inning.

Catcher Cassie Schultz made a diving catch of a popup down the first base line in the fifth.

Amesbury faces Georgetown at home on Monday.

The regular season is over for both teams next week.  Both teams will play in the post-season.  NR went on in the Division 2 North semi-finals last year.  I would not be surprised to see them do better than that this time around.

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

Merri Moise heads for home

Tarah Reilly down rounding third

Shortstop Amanda Schell makes a running catch of a foul pop.

Meghan Riley rounds third as throw comes in from Erin Leary

Catcher Cassie Schultz makes a diving catch

Alexis Boswell lunges for a line drive

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May 14, 2012 · 9:33 pm

Mel Mancinelli leads Lynnfield past Amesbury 4-0 in Cape Ann League softball

The Lynnfield team congratulates pitcher Mel Mancinelli (#10) after defeating Amesbury

Mel Mancinelli – shut out Amesbury with three hits

(Amesbury)  Lynnfield’s Mel Mancinelli tossed a 3-hit shutout as the Pioneers defeated Amesbury, 4-0, on a cloudy Monday afternoon in Cape Ann League softball.

Mel was the big story as she only allowed four base runners the entire game.  The CAL All-Leaguer issued just one walk and during one stretch retired fourteen batters in a row.  She had seven strikeouts.

Amesbury (11-3) threatened in the first (Cassie Schultz triple) and second (runners on second and third with two out) but couldn’t do any damage.

Lynnfield (10-5) had eight hits and base runners in every inning except the fifth.  However, it took Amesbury errors to put the finishing touches on all four of the Pioneers’ runs.

This innocent looking play turned into two unearned runs for Lynnfield in the second inning.

In the second, Jade Palladino and Mandy McQueen reached third and second with two outs.  A routine grounder to second baseman Alexis Boswell looked to be the inning ender but first baseman Sarah McCullough couldn’t handle the throw and both runners scored.

In the third, Lynnfield put runners on first (courtesy runner Julia Eliopoulos) and third (Katie Rowe) with one out.  Mel Mancinelli followed with a sacrifice bunt attempt that Sarah McCullough threw past first allowing Katie Rowe to score.  Later in the inning, Mandy McQueen’s fielder’s choice enabled Julia Eliopoulos to cross with the fourth Pioneer run.

Those four runs were more than enough on this afternoon.

Carolina Merrill

Carolina Merrill went the first five for Amesbury and gets a tough loss thanks to four unearned runs.

Cassie Schultz, Erin Leary, and Autumn Kligerman had the Indians three hits.

Katie Rowe paced Lynnfield with three hits.  Jade Palladino had two hits.

Amesbury defeated Lynnfield, 5-2, in a nonleague game at Lynnfield on April 13th.

Amesbury has now lost two straight after winning seven straight.

Lynnfield coach Peter Marinelli

With the tenth win, Lynnfield qualifies for the end-of-the-season state tournament.  Coach Peter Marinelli told me that he nearly had that 10th win last game against Rockport.  He also told me that Rockport coach Diane Parisi played for him when he coached Stoneham.

Next game (weather permitting) for Lynnfield is at Manchester-Essex tomorrow afternoon.  Amesbury is at Triton on Wednesday.

When I see corner infielders not wearing face masks I ask myself the following questions: (1) Why do the players still make the final decision and (2) How serious an injury will it take before masks are required?

(The pictures above and below enlarge considerably if you click on them.)

Kelsey LeBlanc takes a throw beating Janine Fatal to first.

Sam Shopleigh makes a catch in right

Jade Palladino catches a popup.

Cassie Schultz

Amanda Schell flips to Alexis Boswell

Mandy McQueen makes a running catch

Amesbury coach Chris Perry

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