Tag Archives: Kendra Dow

June 1, 2013 · 8:39 pm

Amesbury downs Newburyport 11-1 in Division 2 North softball quarterfinals

Indians celebrate quarterfinals win over Newburyport

Amanda Schell had three hits, three RBI, and scored three runs

(Amesbury) The stars were out and so was the sun screen as (#2 seed) Amesbury defeated neighboring Newburyport, 11-1, in the Division 2 North quarterfinals at toasty Amesbury on Saturday afternoon.

Impressive win for Amesbury (19-2). They will play again on June 5th (Wednesday) in the D2 North semi-finals.

Good news for Amesbury today was that Tewksbury took out #1 seed Danvers. Last year in the tourney, the Falcons ended Amesbury’s season, 2-1, at Danvers.

Five of the Indians were honored by the Cape Ann League a few days ago for their play in the 2013 season. Against the Clippers those selections looked golden. Let me take you through what each of those players did today:

(1) Pitcher Carolina Merrill – Gave up an unearned run in the first and survived a bases loaded jam in the second. The Amesbury senior then retired 16 of the last 17 Clippers she faced.

(2) Shortstop Amanda Schell – Had 3 RBI, 3 hits, and 3 runs scored and flawlessly handled six chances in the field.

(3) First baseman Erin Leary – Had a hit, an RBI, and scored a run.

(4) Catcher Cassie Schultz (D2 CAL POY) – Had three hits and drove in three runs.

Ashley Valme heads for home as Kendra Dow throws from the outfield

(5) Leftfielder Ashley Valme – Had a two-run homer that reached the stadium wall beyond leftfield.

Newburyport had been blown out by Amesbury a month ago, 18-1, enduring a thirteen-run second inning along the way. The Clippers obviously needed to stay away from the big inning against Amesbury.

And they did, until the bottom of the fifth inning. The Indians lead was only 2-1 and NHS starter Vicki Allman had retired eleven straight Amesbury hitters.

The fifth, however, started ominously for Newburyport as errors by 3B Meghan Stanton and pitcher Vicki Allman gave Amesbury baserunners they shouldn’t have had. Five of the next six Indians’ batters had hits, including a double (Amanda Schell), triple (Cassie Schultz), and a homer (Ashley Valme), and the home team had seven runs and the dreaded big inning Newburyport wanted to avoid.

NHS coach Lori Solazzo visits the mound

Up 9-1, Amesbury added two more in the sixth. Amanda Schell tripled in Jenna Bartley and later scored on a wild pitch to close the scoring.

The Clippers had only four hits (Kendra Dow, Lea Tomasz, Casey Barlow, and Meghan Stanton). Carley Siemasko drove in their lone run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning.

Newburyport had the bases loaded with one out in the second inning but Carolina Merrill got a force out and a fly out to end the threat.

Amesbury answered with two runs in the bottom of the first thanks to their first three batters. Cassie Schultz’s double brought in Amanda Schell and Erin Leary.

Weird ending to that Amesbury first. Pitcher Vicki Allman thought she had struck out Autumn Kligerman so she headed off the field and everyone followed including baserunner Lucy Scholz who was on second base. The problem was that it was only two strikes and everyone stopped exiting including baserunner Lucy. Rightfielder Casey Barlow had reached second base during the exiting part and was there to take the throw from catcher Lauren Singer and tag Lucy out for the third out as she scrambled to get back. That’s 2-to-9 for those scoring at home!

Jenna Bartley had two hits, scored two runs, and drove in a run for Amesbury.

AHS coach Chris Perry and NHS coach Lori Solazzo

The coaches-of-the-year for the CAL were on hand for this one – AHS Chris Perry and NHS Lori Solazzo.

Amesbury had a 10-game winning streak stopped by Division 1 Methuen in their last regular season game.

Newbury finished 15-7 winning four of their last six. Their best game of the season may have been the 4-3 victory on Thursday over Marblehead with a nice combination of pitching, fielding, and hitting.

The Clippers will have to replace senior starters Jackie Krusemark, Lea Tomasz, Kendra Dow, and Casey Barlow. Lea and Kendra have been starters for three (?) years.

Autumn Kligerman makes a nice catch to end the game

Third baseman Autumn Kligerman made two key defensive plays for Amesbury.

The ice cream truck had the good business sense to drive into the parking lot adjacent to the field giving off its usual sound effects. I was shocked that a good part of the sizable crowd didn’t temporarily exit to find something cool.

This was Amesbury’s fifth straight win over Newburyport.

Newburyport boxscore

Amesbury boxscore

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

Casey Barlow loses a battle to a tough sun.

Jenna Bartley scores the sisth run for Amesbury on a wild pitch

Jenna Bartley scores the sixth run for Amesbury on a wild pitch

Kendra Dow sets to throw

pre-game prep

parking lot diversion

Cassie Schultz loses the ball in the second inning

Carley Siemasko drops a popup but recovers quickly to tag out Amanda Schell

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Filed under Amesbury, Newburyport

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Ashley Valme, Carolina Merrill, Casey Barlow, Cassie Schultz, Erin Leary, Jackie Krusemark, Kendra Dow, Vicki Allman

May 20, 2013 · 10:29 pm

Newburyport rallies past Triton 9-5 in Cape Ann League softball

Casey Barlow (3 hits) caught in a rundown.

Catcher Julia Hartman waits for the throw as Kendra Dow tries to score.

(Salisbury) The Newburyport Clippers scored the last seven runs of the game and defeated Triton, 9-5, at Lions Park on a nice Monday night.

The Clippers (12-5/9-4) have now won six of their last seven games and are still in the hunt for the Cape Ann League Division 1 title. They trail D1 leader North Reading (10-3) by a game and are looking for help from Masconomet which hosts the Hornets on Wednesday.

This was yet another tough loss for Triton (7-9). The Vikings have now dropped five straight after being a promising 7-4 not too long ago. Fielding miscues were the primary culprit in the loss to Newburyport.

Seniors Kelsey Trudel and Cory Simons converge on a popup

Triton closes its season tomorrow at Manchester-Essex. The Hornets (1-13) won their opening game and haven’t won since. One of the teams tomorrow will be ending a losing streak.

The keys to the Newburyport win were clutch hitting and errorless defense. The Clippers rapped fourteen hits off of Triton’s Mara Spears and only left five baserunners.

The infield defense of Kendra Dow (SS), Jackie Krusemark (2B), and Carley Siemasko (1B) was flawless.

Kendra’s best play and was a catch of Kylie Gilroy’s hard-hit liner that put an end to Triton’s three-run third inning.

Carley took care of two potential doubles down the first baseline off the bats of Mara Spears and Kelsey Trudel.

The solid Clippers defense enabled pitcher Vicki Allman to retire eleven of the last twelve batters she faced, including nine straight. The only Vikings baserunner over the final four frames was Cory Simons.

And while the Vikings were held scoreless over the final four innings the Clippers pounded two doubles (Lauren Singer and Casey Barlow) and eight singles collecting seven runs over the final four innings.

Rylee Culverwell injured on this play

It certainly hurt the Vikings to have #3 hitter Rylee Culverwell leave the game injured in the third inning. Freshman Rylee’s bat was missed the rest of the way as well as her excellent defense at third.

Of the seven, last-four-innings, runs for Newburyport only five of them were earned. A bobble at third (Casey Ross) and a single that turned into a 2-base error (CF Ashley Shute) allowed the two extra runs.

Newburyport opened the scoring in the second inning. Ashley Hodge and Vicki Allman singled and both Ashley and Vicki’s pinch-runner (Molly Stanton) came home on 2B Kylie Gilroy’s two-out error.

Triton put together a single (Kylie Gilroy), double (Cara Orlandi), and a single (Julia Hartman) to tie the score, 2-2, in the second.

Rachel McCarthy caught stealing

The Vikings jumped ahead by three (5-2) in the third. A double (Cory Simons) and three singles (Rylee Culverwell, Kelsey Trudel, Lily Anderson) were keys. However, the promising inning ended when pinch runner Rachel McCarthy was tossed out trying to steal and the next batter’s line drive was taken by NHS shortstop Kendra Dow. The Viking would have only one hit the rest of the way but at the moment they had a 5-2 lead after three innings.

Newburyport pulled ahead for good with four runs in the fourth. A big hit was Kendra Dow’s two-out double to the CF fence driving in a pair.

In the fifth, Casey Barlow (3 hits) hit a rope to center and reached third with no outs when the ball skipped by CF Ashley Shute. Ashley Hodge’s sacrifice fly delivered Casey with the Clippers seventh run.

Lea Tomasz

Newburyport added to its 7-5 lead with two more runs in the seventh inning. The Clippers went double (Lauren Singer), single (Lea Tomasz), double (Casey Barlow), and single (Ashley Hodge) to get the pair of runs.

Lily Anderson made an excellent play on a foul popup in the fourth inning.

Rylee Culverwell had her right arm in a sling afterwards. I believe that her injury occurred when she slid home scoring Triton’s fourth run.

Casey Barlow paced the Newburyport hitters with three. Lauren Singer, Lea Tomasz, Ashley Hodge, and Vicki Allman had two hits each.

Senior Cory Simons led Triton with two hits. Teammate Kelsey Trudel scored two runs for the Vikings. Both of these quality players will be suiting up for their last game tomorrow.

Lions Park was a nice setting. The infield was smooth and the outfield was green. One of the bank of lights went out in the seventh inning but most of the fast-paced game was played in daylight.

Triton is a team that certainly has had some highs and lows. They are the only team to beat Amesbury (4-3). They defeated Newburyport the last time they met. But then there’s the loss early in the season to 2-12 Ipswich.

Newburyport boxscore

Triton boxscore

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

Carley Siemasko and Cory Simons

Ashley Hodge settles under a flyball

pitcher Mara Spears

Pitcher Vicki Allman

Cara Orlandi

shortstop Kelsey Trudel

Casey Ross

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Filed under Newburyport, Triton

Tagged as Carley Siemasko, Casey Barlow, Cory Simons, Kelsey Trudel, Kendra Dow, Mara Spears, Rylee Culverwell, Vicki Allman

May 8, 2013 · 9:50 pm

Newburyport takes down Rockport 9-3 in Cape Ann League softball

Catcher Shelby OBrien gets Hannah Lorden at the plate.

Meghan Stanton gets home on a wild pitch

(Newburyport) That’s three straight for the Clippers.

Newburyport (8-4) rallied from a two-run deficit to defeat Rockport, 9-3, on a dry-wet-dry Wednesday afternoon at Cashman Park.

The Vikings (4-7) put two runs up in the first inning but had a quiet final six inning thanks to the pitching of Vicki Allman.

Vicki allowed six hits in the game but more important was that she didn‘t walk anyone. The visitors had few scoring opportunities.

On the other hand, Newburyport had baserunners in all six innings thanks to nine hits and seven walks.

The Clippers tied the score in the third inning and then added three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead for good.

Kendra Dow

Carley Siemasko

Kendra Dow (3 hits/3 runs/2 RBI) and Carley Siemasko (3 hits/1 run/1 RBI) were the hitting stars for NHS.

Hannah Lorden paced Rockport with a triple, single and run scored.

In the opening inning, Kayla Parisi’s fielder’s choice drove in Meghan Tupper. Later, Mollie Watson came home on Emily Fauld’s RBI single up the middle.

The Clippers had two runners on in both the first and second but came away empty. Pitcher Hannah Lorden ended the Clippers scoring chance in the second by spearing Molly Kelley‘s liner up the middle.

Newburyport tied the game in the third inning. A throwing error at the end of a single (Kendra Dow) and a double (Meghan Stanton) produced a run. Meghan Stanton would later add a second run when she came home on a wild pitch.

Molly Kelley steps on home as catcher Mollie Watson chases a bad throw

The Clippers broke the game open in the fourth inning with some “exciting“ base running. A walk by Shelby O’Brien and a single by Molly Kelley gave NHS two baserunners with one out. Next batter Kendra Dow put a high, outside pitch on a line down the first baseline. Kendra is very fast and the other two baserunners…….not so much. By the time Kendra rounded third she and the other two baserunners were all between third and home. A good throw from the outfield to home would have nailed at least two of them I suspect. But on this day, the throw was up the third baseline and all three runners crossed home safely.

The Vikings cut a run off that 5-2 deficit in the fifth. Hannah Lorden tripled over Ashley Casellini’s head in left and when the throw back in was off target the Vikings had a run.

Meghan Tupper slides in with the first Rockport run

The Clippers got that run back in the bottom of the fifth. Carley Siemasko singled, advanced to third via a walk and a wild pitch and came home on Jackie Krusemark’s sacrifice fly.

Newburyport added to their 6-3 lead with three more runs in the sixth inning. They loaded the bases with no outs and Lea Tomasz drove in Molly Kelley with a sacrifice fly to left. Carley Siemasko then singled in Kendra Dow. Later in the inning, after the bases were again loaded, Meghan Stanton raced home on a wild pitch.

The six-run spread was more than enough the way Vicki Allman was pitching. She faced only six batters in the final two innings.

In the sixth inning, after Kayla Parisi singled, her pinch runner (Rachel Davis) was doubled off first on a line drive to second baseman Jackie Krusemark.

Mollie Watson

Junior catcher Mollie Watson has already been a Cape Ann League All-League player twice. Watching her stop a lot of pitches in the dirt showcased her defensive skills. She also threw out Casey Barlow trying to steal second base.

Isobel MacCrate made a nice catch in left field in the first inning for the Vikings.

Rockport lost CAL All-Leaguer Gabby Munoz to Pingree.

The Clippers recovered nicely from a humiliating loss (18-1) a week ago at Cashman Park to Amesbury. With their eighth win, the Clippers need just two wins in their final eight games to qualify for post-season action.

Newburyport will be at Georgetown on Friday afternoon. Rockport will be hosting North Reading tomorrow.

The weather was hard to figure. I had my camera put away for part of the game because of drizzle. Cameras and scorebooks never do well in rain!

Newburyport boxscore

Rockport boxscore

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

Kendra Dow throws to first

Emily Faulds caught in a rundown with Meghan Stanton

Molly Kelley

Pitcher Hannah Lorden

Third baseman Meghan Stanton ready to toss to first

Pitcher Vicki Allman set to throw to first

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Filed under Newburyport, Rockport

Tagged as Carley Siemasko, Hannah Lorden, Kendra Dow, Meghan Stanton, Meghan Tupper, Mollie Watson, Vicki Allman

April 11, 2013 · 9:12 pm

Newburyport wins third straight downing Masconomet 4-1 in Cape Ann League softball

Lauren Singer, caught in a rundown, escaped and later scored as Coach Lori Solazzo looks on.

Victoria Allman gets congratulated by Kendra Dow after her third win of the season

(Newburyport) Last year these two teams met at Cashman Park in early April and there were thirty hits and Masconomet left with a 9-6 win in nine innings.

Not this time. The hits were scarce (eight) and the Clippers won, 4-1, in Cape Ann League action on a cold/bleak Thursday afternoon in Newburyport.

Newburyport (3-0) is off to a perfect start with Victoria Allman showing that she can handle the every-game pitching assignment.

Victoria gave up three singles and one unearned run.

This was the opener for Masconomet. They did have several scrimmages leading up to this game. The Chieftains were 17-3 last season under first-year Mike Gibeley. Mike was named coach-of-the-year for his terrific season.

Pitcher Rachel Shamon leaves the game with an injury.

Rachel Shamon (CAL D1 player-of-the-year) started for Masco but went out after 2 1/3 innings after getting a finger in the way of a ground ball. Emily Dow came on to pitch one-hit ball the rest of the way.

The Clippers picked up a run in the first, two in the second, and another in the fifth.

In the first, Lauren Singer doubled to right center and reached third after a liner by Meghan Stanton was dropped by Rachel Shamon (pitcher). Meghan took second uncontested. Kendra Dow then grounded back to Rachel. Rachel faked the throw to first then tried to get Lauren Singer off of third. She couldn’t and the bases were loaded with one out. Carley Siemasko worked Rachel for a walk and the Clippers led, 1-0.

Molly Stanton heads home with second Clipper run

In the second, Victoria Allman walked (Molly Stanton ran for her). Meghan Stanton lined a 2-out triple over the head of leftfielder (Sarah Webster) scoring her sister. Lea Tomasz singled to the right of second base driving in Meghan and giving Newburyport a 3-0 lead after two innings.

The Chieftains picked up their lone run in the fifth. Sammy Martin walked and Alex Mendelsohn reached on a single to deep short. Rachel Shamon’s grounder to third (Meghan Stanton) went through the sophomore’s legs allowing Sammy Martin to score an unearned run.

The Clippers got that run back in the bottom of the fifth. Kendra Dow doubled to right and reached third on Casey Barlow’s sacrifice grounder. Shelby O’Brien walked but on ball four the ball got away from catcher Alex Mendelsohn allowing Kendra Dow to slide in with the fourth Newburyport run.

Kendra Dow handled seven grounders flawlessly

Senior shortstop Kendra Dow had two hits, scored a hustle run, and handled seven grounders flawlessly.

Masco second baseman Erin Campbell made a terrific backhand stab of Vicki Allman’s liner to end the fifth inning.

Outfielders Lea Tomasz and Ashley Hodge collided in the fourth inning but Lea came away with the catch.

Sophomore Meghan Stanton had two hits, an RBI, and scored a run.

Sophomore Lauren Singer had three hits off pitcher Rachel Shamon last year.

The quickest feet were shown by Angus as he circled the field then raced back to obedience school for a lecture.

Masco and Newburyport will meet again on May 13th at Masco.

The Chieftains next game will be hosting Triton next Wednesday.

Newburyport will face an excellent North Reading team on the road next Wednesday.

Newburyport boxscore

Masconomet boxscore

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

Erin Campbell congratulated after making a nice play at second

Sarah Rogers sights a fly in right

Angus shows speed

Julianna Kostas steals second as Kendra Dow awaits the throw

Meghan Stanton

Casey Barlow makes a catch

pitcher Emily Dow

Lauren Singer gets ready to catch

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Filed under Masconomet, Newburyport

Tagged as Emily Dow, Erin Campbell, Kendra Dow, Lauren Singer, Meghan Stanton, Rachel Shamon, Victoria Allman

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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Filed under Newburyport, Winchester

Tagged as Beth Castantini, Emma Morton, Julia Staffiere, Kendra Dow, Lauren Singer, Lea Tomasz, Maddie Lepore, Rachel Smith

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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Filed under Amesbury, Newburyport

Tagged as Amanda Schell, Beth Castantini, Carley Siemasko, Carolina Merrill, Cassie Schultz, Janine Fatal, Kendra Dow, Lea Tomasz, Maddy Stanton, Molly Rowe

May 11, 2012 · 8:56 pm

Newburyport gets walkoff win 3-2 over North Andover in Cape Ann League softball

Lea Tomasz scores the game-winner in the 8th inning as Beth Castantini watches

(Newburyport) The Newburyport Clippers (8-6) scored an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth to walk off to a 3-2 win over North Andover (4-8) on Friday afternoon in Cape Ann League softball action.

Runs were hard to come by in this one although NA had two quick ones in the first. The Clippers had a run in the first and another in the 4th.

There were plenty of base runners, thanks to seventeen hits and six walks, but both pitchers (Beth Castantini and Kim Crucioli) successfully pitched out of jams most of the afternoon.

Carley Siemasko hustles down the first base line in the 8th inning.

In the game-ending inning, Lea Tomasz led off with a single up the middle. Molly Rowe’s infield grounder got Lea to second. Carley Siemasko then hit a full-swing dribbler to pitcher Kim Crucioli’s left. Carley hustled down the line and the play was going to be close at first. However, Kim’s throw was high and went off the top of first baseman Haley Kosheff’s glove into right field allowing Lea Tomasz to come across with the winning run.

The way North Andover started the game you never would have expected such an outcome. Their first two batters (Sara McCarthy and Courtney Green) doubled and the Knights quickly had a run. Two batters later, Gwen Vozeolas blooped a two-strike single down the right field line and NA had a second run.

Sara McCarthy touches home with the first Knight run.

But thereafter the Knights would only threaten and fall short. They left runners on in every inning but the second. They had a runner (Sara McCarthy) on third with one out in the seventh and runners on second (Haley Kosheff) and third (Jaclyn Decologero) with two outs in the eighth. Newburyport pitcher Beth Castantini induced infield grounders to escape both threats.

Newburyport picked up their first run in the first inning. Kendra Dow walked, stole second on a close play, and came home on Lea Tomasz’s double to right center.

The Clippers tied the game in the fourth. Molly Rowe hit a bloop down the right field line that Jess Bramanti couldn’t quite reach. Molly ended up on third on the play and Carley Siemasko’s single to right brought in Molly with the tying run.

Newburyport nearly won the game in the bottom of the seventh. Jackie Krusemark was on first after a walk with two outs. Maddie Stanton ripped a line drive to left that leftfielder Gwen Vozeolas was able to stop at the last second. If that ball had gotten past Gwen I am quite certain that Jackie would have scored to end the game.

Maddie Stanton

Maddie Stanton made two big plays in the fourth. First the third baseman dove to snag a bunt attempt. Later she dove for third to get a force out.

NA starter Kim Crucioli feasted on the bottom third of the Clipper lineup getting all seven of her strikeouts there.

Winning pitcher Beth Castantini K’d five Knights.

CAL All-Leaguer Sara McCarthy paced NA with two hits.

Junior Lea Tomasz, senior Molly Rowe, and freshman Carley Siemasko each had two hits for the Clippers.

North Andover faces their neighborhood rival, Andover, tomorrow at home at 10AM.

Newburyport’s next game will be at Georgetown on Monday afternoon.

The weather started out cloudy (Will it rain?) and changed to warm (Why did I bring this jacket?).

Newburyport boxscore

North Andover boxscore

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

Kim Crucioli

Lea Tomasz singles in the 8th

Courtney Green scores second NA run

Gwen Vozeolas

Jess Bramanti lunges for Molly Rowe fly ball in the 4th

Angela Logomasini snow cone

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Filed under Newburyport, North Andover

Tagged as Bath Castantini, Gwen Vozeolas, Kendra Dow, Kim Crucioli, Lea Tomasz, Maddie Stanton, Sara McCarthy

April 9, 2012 · 8:55 pm

Newburyport wins softball opener (3-2) over Lynnfield

Beth Castantini moves in to catch a deflection off of the glove of Maddie Stanton.

(Newburyport) The Newburyport Clippers hung on to defeat Lynnfield, 3-2, at cloudy, windy Cashman Park on Monday afternoon in nonleague action.

Not until dangerous Mel Mancinelli’s pop nestled into Clipper second baseman Jackie Krusemark’s glove for the final out was this game a W for the home team.

The inning before (6th) Mel had slammed a very long triple to deep centerfield and in this at bat had teammates on first and third trailing by a run.

But the Clippers survived to win their season opener as well as an initial win for new coach Lori Solazzo.

For the Clippers. retiring Mel Mancinelli for the last out was important but maybe even more important was a throw from centerfielder Lea Tomasz to catcher Lauren Singer that nailed Julia Goldstein for the final out of the sixth inning. The Pioneers had to settle for two runs, and a tie score, in that inning.

Catcher Lauren Singer fields the throw from Lea Tomasz

Julia Goldstein tagged out at the plate.

Newburyport pushed across the actual game winner in the bottom of the sixth. Maddie Stanton singled to center and reached third after a passed ball and a fielder’s choice. Kendra Dow’s single to right drove Maddie home.

The Clippers picked up their other two runs in the 4th. The wind/dust seemed to catch up to Pioneer right fielder Julia Sheehan and she dropped a catchable fly ball off Beth Castantini’s bat and she reached third. Lea Tomasz scored the Clipper’s first run on the 3-base error. Later Maddie Stanton drove Beth across for run #2.

Mel Mancinelli tripled in the 6th inning

That 2-0 lead held up until the sixth when the Pioneers tied the score. Mel Mancinelli was delivered by Amanda McQueen’s single. Two wild pitches later Amanda was on third and from there came home on Jackie Whelan’s single.

Pioneer Amanda LaSpina was called out for runner interference in the 3rd against first baseman Molly Rowe while Molly was nailed with the same call interfering with shortstop Katie Rowe in the 4th.

Centerfielder Sarah Flood made a nice running catch in the 5th on Beth Castantini’s sinking liner.

Winning pitcher Beth Castantini finished with seven K’s getting at least one in every inning except the seventh.

The umpires had both teams hollering in the seventh inning as close plays went the wrong way depending on the sideline you were on.

Beth Castantini struck out seven

Jackie Whelan scattered six hits for Lynnfield. She also drove in a run.

Lea Tomasz, Maddie Stanton, and Kendra Dow had two hits each for Newburyport.

Lynnfield (1-1) hosts Ipswich on Wednesday.

Newburyport (1-0) returns to Cashman Park on the same day to play North Reading.

Lynnfield probably should have guessed it wasn’t their day in the 4th inning when Jackie Whelan’s popup bounced off of Maddie Stanton’s glove into Beth Castantini’s.

April games at Cashman are always challenging. Today, however, was windier than usual and every now and then the infield dust would swirl toward the Lynnfield side of the field.

Former NHS coach Peter Murray was an interested spectator.

Newburyport box score

Lynnfield box score

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

Sam Wahlgren

ball gets away from Julia Sheehan

Lea Tomasz forced at second by Katie Rowe

Second baseman Jackie Krusemark gets final out.

Catcher Lauren Singer prepares her equipment

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Filed under Lynnfield, Newburyport

Tagged as Beth Castantini, Jackie Whelan, Julia Goldstein, Kendra Dow, Lauren Singer, Lea Tomasz, Maddie Stanton, Mel Mancinelli

June 4, 2011 · 10:47 pm

Newburyport Rallies Over Arlington 6-5 in D2 North Softball With 3-Run Seventh

Sam Wahlgren get congrats from JV teammate Casey Barlow at game’s end after Sam delivered a key hit in the final inning.

Taylor Summit heads home with the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh.

(Newburyport) Plenty of excitement at Cashman Park on Saturday afternoon as Newburyport defeated Arlington, 6-5, in the first round of Division 2 North softball.

There were five lead changes and the Clippers (17-4) entered their last at-bats trailing, 5-3, after the Spy Ponders (there is a pond in Arlington called Spy Pond!) had grabbed the lead with three runs in the top of the 7th.

Lea Tomasz led the final inning with a single to right. She reached second on a fielder’s choice and third on a passed ball. Rachel Webster earned a 2-strike walk on a pitch that went past the Arlington catcher. Lea scored Newburyport’s 4th run on that wild pitch. Kendra Dow reached on a fielder’s choice but the Clippers were down to their last out. The Clippers, in fact, got down to their last strike with their next batter (Taylor Summit) before she singled to center sending Kendra to 3B with two outs.

Still with two outs, junior varsity call-up Sam Wahlgren drilled a shot to left easily scoring Kendra from third with the tying run. The other runner on the bases, (Taylor Summit) was off from first on contact with two outs and looked content to pull up at third on Sam’s hit but when Arlington botched the relay Taylor flew home with the game winner and scored standing up.

Kaleigh Tomaszewski reaches third on Courtney Sacca’s double in the second inning.

This was a game with plenty of hitting (each team had ten hits) and plenty of opportunities to score (runners were stranded by both teams in every inning).

Arlington (12-9) picked up three runs in the top of the seventh on five hits. A key piece of strategy was when NHS coach Peter Murray’s opted to walk the very dangerous Courtney Sacca (two doubles) to load the bases with two outs. Pitcher Beth Castantini got the next batter (Kayleen McLaughlin) to pop to second to limit Arlington to three runs and a 2-run (5-3) advantage.

Another piece of strategy that also worked was Coach Murray’s willingness to use the sophomore from the JV’s (Sam Wahlgren) in the last two innings. She delivered hits in both innings and had plenty to do with extending Newburyport’s season into Monday when they will travel to play #4 seed Reading (18-3) in the D2 North quarter finals. The MIAA site currently has game-time listed at 3:45 AM! I suspect that time will be changed.

Kayleen McLaughlin out at home in the second.

Cassie Davis out at home in the first.

Sophomore leadoff batter Kaitlyn Morse led Arlington hitters with three singles. She also scored a run. Courtney Sacca had two doubles and also scored a run.

For Newburyport, Lea Tomasz, Taylor Summit, and Sam Wahlgren had two hit’s apiece. Each of them had a key hit in the crucial seventh inning. Lea ended up scoring three times while Taylor reached home twice including the seventh inning game winner.

Newburyport opened the scoring in the first as Cassie Davis’ triple to left drove in Maddy Stanton who had singled. Later in the same inning Cassie was thrown out at the plate attempting to score in a delayed fashion after Kendra Dow had bunted.

Leah Tomasz – two hits and scored three runs

Arlington jumped into the lead in the second inning with two runs, one of them unearned. Kaleigh Tomaszewski walked, went to third on Courtney Sacca’s double and scored on Kayleen McLaughlin’s single. Courtney came around to score when Taylor Summit dropped a throw covering first.

Newburyport tied the score with a single run in the 4th. Taylor Summit singled to center, reached second on a passed ball, and scored on Eleni Kacher’s single on the ground into right field.

The Clippers pulled ahead (3-2) in the fifth inning with another single run. Lea Tomasz reached on an infield single and advanced to third on two ground outs. Kendra Dow hit a ground single to left to score Lea.

The Ponders collected five hits in a bat-around top of the seventh. Natalie Tarantino (double), Michelle Reilly (single), and Kaleigh Tomaszewski (single) had the RBI for Arlington. Three runs were scored and the visitors left the bases loaded. Those runs, and the 2-run lead they gave Arlington, looked to be enough but weren’t as Newburyport rallied in the bottom of the seventh.

Eleni Kacher steals second base in the 4th inning.

Kayleen McLaughlin was thrown out at the plate to end the second inning.

The weather was fabulous – sunny with a light breeze. Certainly not what we’ve been used to over the past two months!

Both pitchers (Beth Castantini and Erica County) pitched complete games.

Newburyport AD John Daileanes delivered timely rosters for the good-sized crowd on hand. Some potential spectators were probably watching the NHS baseball team in action about the same time at the high school.

That roster was especially helpful for identifying Sam Wahlgren.

#1 seed Amesbury lost today to Marblehead. I wasn’t totally surprised by that because I had seen Marblehead defeat Triton on Thursday. The Magicians didn’t use their top pitcher versus Triton so she was available for Amesbury.

(I collect my own information and take my own pictures. Inaccuracies can result for which I apologize for in advance.)

Leadoff batter Kaitlyn Morse (reaching third) paced Arlington with three hits.

Natalie Tarantino – a hit, an RBI, and a run scored

Shortstop Kendra Dow catches a popup to end the sixth inning.

Courtney Sacca smiles after fourth inning double.

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Filed under Arlington, Newburyport

Tagged as Arlington, Beth Castantini, Cassie Davis, Claire Morris, Coach Peter Murray, Courtney Sacca, Eleni Kacher, Erica County, Kaitlyn Morse, Kaleigh Tomaszewski, Kayleen McLaughlin, Kendra Dow, Lea Tomasz, Maddy Stanton, Michelle Reilly, Natalie Tarantino, Newburyport High School, Rachel Webster, Sam Wahlgren, Taylor Summit

May 23, 2011 · 8:00 pm

Newburyport Softball Defeats Masconomet 7-3 for Thirteenth Win

Centerfielder Eleni Kacher relaxes after catching the final out in Newburyport’s win over Masco.

Molly Rowe – retired eleven of the last twelve batters in a complete game win.

(Newburyport) The Newburyport softball team defeated Masconomet, 7-3, on Monday afternoon at overcast Cashman Park in Cape Ann League action.

Newburyport (13-3) continues to roll along. They’ve won ten of their last eleven games. Masconomet (4-12) continues to roll along as well but unfortunately for them it is in the opposite direction – they’ve lost eight of their last nine games.

The Clippers stacked up five runs in the second inning to recover from a 1-0 deficit and that was enough as Molly Rowe limited the Chieftains to four hits over the last five innings.

Molly had five strikeouts and retired eleven of the last twelve batters she faced.

Newburyport was hitless in their first inning but erupted for twelve hits off of Masco pitcher Molli Marshall the rest of the way. Other than the five-spot in the second, the Clippers had solo runs in the third and fourth.

Masco picked up two runs in the 4th and then their bats were nearly silent the rest of the way.

Kendra Dow – Clipper shortstop had three hits and scored two runs.

Kendra Dow led the Newburyport attack with three hits while scoring two runs. Cassie Davis, Shannon Brunault, and Rachel Webster each had two hits.

Julia O’Reilly and Kiki Brown collected half of Masco’s eight hits between them.

Julia’s first hit in the top of the first was a well-placed bunt that attracted the attention of pitcher Molly Rowe and first baseman Rachel Webster. Unfortunately, for Newburyport, no one was covering first and it turned into a hit. Two hits later the Chieftains had a run (RBI by Molli Marshall) and runners on second and third with one out. However, Molly Rowe K’d Taylor Evans and handled Lissa Rescigno’s grounder to get out of the jam.

In the Newburyport second, the Clippers mixed five hits together with a throwing error by third baseman Julia O’Reilly. Newburyport batted around in the five-run outburst. Shannon Brunault, Rachel Webster, Maddy Stanton, and Lea Tomasz had RBI.

The Clippers picked up their 6th run in Inning #3. Kendra Dow singled, went to second on a wild pitch, and to third on Taylor Summit’s single. She came home on shortstop Taylor Evans’ throwing error.

Julia O’Reilly – two hits and RBI

Kiki Brown – two hits and run scored

Masco tallied two runs in the fourth inning. A walk (Lissa Rescigno), a hit (Kiki Brown), and a sacrifice bunt (Courtney Gotts) put runners on second and third with one out. Third baseman Maddy Stanton decided to go home with Samantha Martin’s grounder and was too late to get Lissa Rescigno. Julia O’Reilly’s single to left brought Kiki Brown home with the second run. Still threatening with runners on second and third, Molly retired the next two hitters to limit the Masco damage.

Newburyport got a gift run in the bottom of the fourth. Cassie Davis singled, went to second on a passed ball, and reached home on third baseman Julia O’Reilly’s 2-base throwing error.

NHS coach Peter Murray was heavily into landscaping the Cashman Park field when I arrived early. He made the usual puddles disappear.

What can you say about the weather! The good news during this game was that there was no wind and it didn’t actually rain. Bringing an umbrella to a game this season has been almost as important as trying to guess which of the three home fields the Clippers will be playing on.

Molli Marshall – Masco pitcher

Molli Marshall was just about the most relaxed pitcher I’ve seen. She was carrying on conversations even while she was pitching!

After a missed popup by her third baseman Julia O’Reilly, who was wearing a mask, Molli said, “Take off the mask and let them see the dye job!” Comedy Central material!

Clipper shortstop Kendra Dow continues to impress with her strong, accurate throws. I learned that she grew up throwing a baseball rather than a softball.

I’m still looking forward to Wednesday’s game at Amesbury between the Indians (16-1) and the Clippers (13-3). The Indians were beaten by North Reading on Saturday. The Clippers lost, 10-9, in their earlier non-league meeting with Amesbury.

Both teams have qualified for the post-season. At stake could well be a share of the CAL Division 2 title.

(I collect my own information and take my own pictures. Mistakes happen.)