Tag Archives: Lauren Singer

April 14, 2014 · 10:20 pm

Newburyport gets wild 16-15 walkoff win over Amesbury

Morgan Johnston walks home the winning run for Newburyport

Maddie Napoli puts the tag on Lauren Singer

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

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

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

Lucy Scholz races to third

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

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

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

Alexi Boswell

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carly Siemasko catches a popup

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

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

Amy Sullivan scored three times.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lauren Singer triples over Alexi Boswell

Amy Sullivan scores as the ball gets by catcher Amanda Schell

Jade Carpenter fires to first

Lauren Fedorchak

Amanda Schell near home after circling the bases

Amy Sullivan and Coach Lori Solazzo

Shelby OBrien

Vicki Allman

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Filed under Amesbury, Cape Ann League, Newburyport

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

May 30, 2013 · 8:07 pm

Newburyport wins D2 North softball tourney opener 4-3 over Marblehead

Newburyport celebrates 4-3 win over Marblehead in D2 North tourney opener

(Marblehead) Newburyport reached the Sweet Sixteen of Division 2 North with a tight, 4-3, win over Marblehead on a very hot Thursday afternoon.

The Clippers (15-6) now gets a third try against Amesbury. This time in the D2 North quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon (3PM) at Amesbury Middle School.

Vicki Allman tossed a three-hitter and had two hits herself

Vicki Allman pitched a complete-game, three-hitter for Newburyport in the do-or-die atmosphere of tournament play.

The #10-seed Clippers put four of their nine hits together in the top of the sixth inning to collect two runs and get the lead (4-3) for good.

Marblehead (#7 seed) threatened in the bottom of the seventh. Pinchrunner McKenzie Joyce stole second with two outs but Vicki Allman got Emily Promise to foul out to first baseman Carley Siemasko to end the threat and Marblehead’s season.

Newburyport jumped in front with a run in the first. Lauren Singer drilled a triple off Magician past leftfielder Allison Kapoll. Lea Tomasz singled through the hole between short and third driving Lauren home.

Marblehead (14-7) didn’t get a hit until the fourth inning but that didn’t stop them from getting two runs in the first off a very shaky Newburyport defense in their half of the first inning. A two-out bobble by shortstop Kendra Dow extended the inning. Two batters later, leftfielder Ashley Hodge dropped a fly ball allowing both Anistasia Vainis and McKenzie Joyce to score.

Things got a little weird in the Clippers half of the second inning. Newburyport loaded the bases (a Sarah Bornstein error was in the mix) with one out. Kendra Dow struck out but catcher Emily Messinger dropped the ball and Shelby O’Brien scored from third (barely…….Why didn’t she slide?) to tie the score at 2-2.

Lea Tomasz eyes a line drive

Two more Clippers errors in the Marblehead fourth put the Magicians up by a run. Centerfielder Lea Tomasz tried for a two-out shoestring catch but Rachel McKay’s line drive got past her enabling Rachel to reach second. Third baseman Meghan Stanton then threw away Alexa Brown’s grounder allowing Rachel to cross with Marblehead’s third run.

That run started to look like a game-winner after the Clippers went quietly in the fifth and then made an out to start the sixth.

However, Newburyport then had consecutive singles by Casey Barlow, Carley Siemasko, and Shelby O’Brien to tie the score. Shelby sent a 2-strike pitch to center for the RBI. Another single (Vicki Allman) loaded the bases with one out. Jackie Krusemark’s fly ball delivered Carley Siemasko from third (barely……Why didn’t she slide?) with what turned out to be the winning run.

Carley Siemasko tags up as leftfielder Allison Kapoll prepares to throw to the plate

Carley Siemasko scores

Lea Tomasz, Shelby O’Brien, and Vicki Allman had two hits each for Newburyport.

Rachel McKay had two hits for Marblehead.

Michaela Leblanc was ruled out for interference leading off the fourth inning. Catcher Lauren Singer’s throw on a bunt hit Michaela in fair territory.

Lea Tomasz was ruled out on an appeal play for leaving third base too early on a one-out fly ball in the third inning.

Sarah Bornstein

Third baseman Sarah Bornstein made a nice play on a line drive in the fourth inning for Marblehead.

The game was delayed in the fifth inning as Lauren Singer was tended to.

There was a breeze but the heat (high 80’s) was oppressive.

The playing field at the middle school was in excellent condition.

Yes, there were two Newburyport infield errors, but they also handled eleven other infield chances flawlessly.

Emily Messinger popped out to first baseman Carley Siemasko all three times she batted.

A big play in this game was in the final inning. After Rachel McKay singled, Alexa Brown hit a grounder past pitcher Vicki Allman. It looked like Newburyport trouble but shortstop Kendra Dow reacted quickly and got a force play at second.

Third baseman Meghan Stanton throws a strike to first

Two years ago I saw Marblehead eliminate Triton (at Triton) 7-1. Michaela Leblanc pitched that day. Junior Michaela holds the Marblehead school record with 32 wins.

A very good North Reading team went out again in the opening round (5-2 to Reading). Last year the Hornets were the #1 seed and lost to Saugus after having the Sachems down, 5-1, in the last inning. Ouch!

On May 1st, Amesbury put an 18-0 mercy rule game on Newburyport. The Indians had an 18-batter, 13-run second inning in that one. Vicki Allman was hit hard (18 hits) and the Clippers defense was weak. However, the pressure could be on the #2 seed Indians playing at home. The game is sure to be interesting.

Newburyport boxscore

Marblehead boxscore

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

Rachel McKay had two hits and scored a run

Carley Siemasko, McKenzie Joyce and Coach John Gold in the 7th inning

Casey Barlow

Kendra Dow

Shelby OBrien

Olivia Vener

Lauren Singer tripled in the first

Michaela Leblanc throws out Lauren Singer at first

Kendra Dow snags a liner in the third inning

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Filed under Marblehead, Newburyport

Tagged as Carley Siemasko, Lauren Singer, Lea Tomasz, Michaela LeBlanc, Rachel McKay, Vicki Allman

April 26, 2013 · 9:56 pm

Solid defense and pitching get Newburyport past Pentucket 6-2

Newburyport coach Lori Solazzo sends Molly Stanton home in the seventh inning.

Vicki Allman struck out nine batter and issued no walks.

(Groveland) Newburyport snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating Pentucket, 6-2, on Friday afternoon at the Pines Athletic Field in Cape Ann League softball.

The Clippers (3-4) were flawless in the field. It certainly helped that there were only three infield chances on the ground in the entire game.

Vicki Allman tossed a six-hitter with nine strikeouts for NHS. She was able to get six fly-ball outs – five of them to centerfielder Lea Tomasz. She allowed no walks.

It took a hit for the Sachems to get on base in this one.

Pentucket (1-7) had five errors and four unearned runs resulted, according to my unofficial count.

Miscues by third baseman Megan Haley and leftfielder Madison Newton enabled Lauren Singer and Meghan Stanton to register two runs in the second inning.

Meanwhile, Vicki Allman faced only nine batters during the first three innings. Megan Haley did reach on a hits batsman in the second but was gunned down trying to steal on a throw from catcher Lauren Singer to shortstop Kendra Dow.

Megan Haley tags out Kendra Dow at third.

The Clippers picked up their third run in the fourth. Lauren Singer singled and scored on Kendra Dow’s double. Kendra was thrown out at third, trying to stretch that double, ending the inning, but NHS led, 3-0.

Pentucket broke through with a run in the fourth on consecutive doubles by sophomores Kassidy Kennefick and Maddy Ammon to lead off the inning.
Consecutive fly outs to centerfielder Lea Tomasz ended the inning.

In the fifth, Newburyport added a run to their lead. A walk (Ashley Hodge), a double (Lea Tomasz), and an error on a hot shot by Carley Siemasko at Megan Haley at 3B produced the run.

The Clippers put up two more runs in the seventh to pad their advantage to, 6-1. A triple (Carley Siemasko) and a walk (Vicki Allman) set the stage with one out. Molly Stanton pinch ran for Vicki. As Molly broke for second (trying to steal) the batter (Lauren Singer) hit an infield grounder. Because Molly was running the throw to second was not in time. The play wasn’t over. Two errant Pentucket throws in a row (one to home) enabled two Clippers to score.

Kassidy Kennefick heads for home in the seventh inning.

That five-run cushion came in handy for Newburyport in the seventh. Mary Kate Corrado singled (Allison Knowles ran for her) with no outs. Angelica Arredondo followed with an absolute screamer at NHS third baseman Meghan Stanton that the sophomore caught.

That grab was crucial because next batter Megan Haley whacked a double to deep center. So instead of three straight hits the Sachems had runners on second and third. Emmy Desjardins drove in Allison Knowles with a fly ball to left before Nicolette Kent was called out on strikes to end the game.

Pentucket played without 2012 Cape Ann League All Star Sydney Snow (sore elbow).

NHS catcher Lauren Singer threw out two runners attempting to steal. She also scored two runs and had a hit and an RBI.

Sophomore Kassidy Kennefick made several nice plays at short. She also had two hits and scored a run.

Lauren Singer is tagged out at home by pitcher Tyler Feeney.

Tyler Feeney went the distance for the Sachems. She allowed seven hits and gave up four walks. The defense behind her? You already know about that!

This was my first look at Molly Kelly (up for the JV’s) for Newburyport. Molly had a single in the sixth inning.

Graduated Maddy Stanton was on hand to take this one in.

I had never been to this field before. I realized once I found it that it was the site of the old Pine Speedway. I spent quite a few college years’ Saturdays watching the races. The track closed in 1972.

Next game for both teams is on Monday. Newburyport will be at Manchester-Essex while Pentucket visits Lynnfield.

Mary Kate Corrado

Mary Kate Corrado batted .456 last season. No wonder she made the CAL All-League team.

Pentucket played four games this week. In one of them, they knocked off previously undefeated (in the CAL) North Reading.

Newburyport boxscore

Pentucket boxscore

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

Sydney Snow

Vicki Allman gets rid of her mask after striking out the last batter of the game.

Meghan Stanton sets to throw to second baseman Jackie Krusemark

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Filed under Newburyport, Pentucket

Tagged as Kassidy Kennefick, Lauren Singer, Mary Kate Corrado, Meghan Stanton, Sydney Snow, 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 7, 2012 · 8:12 pm

Newburyport upsets Rockport 3-2 in Cape Ann League softball

Catcher Lauren Singer handles the throw as Kayla Parisi approaches

Lauren turns to tag Kayla

Lauren tags Kayla

Winning pitcher Beth Castantini fields a bunt by Amanda Chalmers

(Newburyport) The Newburyport Clippers (6-5) may have turned their season around with this one.

The Clippers beat a very good Rockport team, 3-2, at Cashman Park on Monday afternoon in Cape Ann League play.

(I did not arrive in time to fill out a scorebook but I did have my camera and will provide some commentary as well.)

Rockport (9-2) has already won Division 3 of the Cape Ann League but they have now lost two of their last three.

Newburyport, on the other hand, has been a disappointment. Last year the 17-5 Clippers found ways to win. This year the reverse has happened more times than expected.

Mollie Rowe takes a throw to get Haley Lorden at first in the seventh.

That’s why the win over Rockport may be the signal of better days ahead. Here was a game in which pitching, hitting, and defense all clicked when needed and a game they could have been lost by Newburyport was won.

Winning pitcher Beth Castantini was several times within a pitch of walking in a run but it never happened.

The Clipper hitters put hits together early to grab a two-run lead and later came up with the game winner after Rockport had rallied to tie the score.

The Newburyport defense was also strong. There was a dropped popup but the team was mistake-free otherwise. Kendra Dow made several long/strong throws from short.

The most important Clipper play in the game was turned in by leftfielder Catherine Casellini. In one of the early innings, catcher Lauren Singer tried to nail a runner getting back to third. Her throw sailed over third baseman Maddie Stanton’s head……but there stood Catherine, where she was supposed to be, backing the play up. Catherine caught the errant throw and the run was saved.

And against a good team like Rockport, all those things had to be in place or the result would have been different.

Rockport’s Kristin Turner pitched well enough to win and the defense behind her, especially shortstop Gabby Muniz, was very good. However, with base runners all over the place Rockport never turned the makings of big innings into realities with a clutch hit or two.

And if you’re looking for just one reason for the Viking loss, pin it on base running. They made three outs on the base paths. One runner was picked off third, another was out by plenty at the plate, and the final out of the game was a failed attempt at stealing second.

Rockport pitcher Kristin Turner talks with Coach Diane Parisi after getting hit by a line drive.

A scary moment happened in the sixth inning when a sharp Lea Tomasz liner grazed off the top of the head of Rockport pitcher Kristin Turner. She and the rest of us were thankful that she was wearing a face shield.

The weather was downright pleasant at Cashman Park. What happened to the wind, mist, and temps in the 40s?

I learned at the game that Kristin Turner learned to pitch from her older sister who pitched for Beverly. The older sister now attends Salem State.

I thought that there might be some sort of on-site newspaper coverage of the game. However, when I checked the CAL schedule afterwards for today, I noticed that 10-1 Masco was playing 10-1 Amesbury at Amesbury today. I suspect that the details of that game will be extensively covered.

Rockport will host Amesbury on Wednesday, weather permitting. On the same projected rainy day, Newburyport is scheduled to visit Pentucket.

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

Shortstop Gabby Muniz

Rockport catcher Mollie Watson catches a foul pop.

Kendra Adams scores a Rockport run

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Filed under Newburyport, Rockport

Tagged as Beth Castantini, Catherine Casellini, Gabby Muniz, Kristin Turner, Lauren Singer

April 13, 2012 · 10:15 pm

Masconomet defeats Newburyport (9-6) in nine innings in softball

Lauren Singer tagged out at third by Julia OReilly.

Rachel Shamon pitched nine innings and had three RBI

(Newburyport) A lot of, “Where have you been’s,” were probably heard after the Masco/Newburyport softball game at Cashman Park on Friday afternoon.

Why? Those on hand saw nine innings and thirty hits (fifteen apiece) before Masconomet (4-0) defeated Newburyport, 9-6, and some of those attending may have gotten home a little late for supper.

The Clippers (1-2) tied the score in the sixth on a Lauren Singer RBI single and had promising opportunities in the seventh and eighth to get a walk-off win.

Masco pitcher Rachel Shamon, however, escaped a 2-on situation in the 7th by getting Molly Rowe to ground out. In the 8th, Carley Siemasko led off with a single and reached second on a wild pitch but Rachel got Lea Tomasz to fly to right to end that threat.

Maddie Stanton – three hits and two RBI

The Chieftains won this game with three runs in the ninth. Rachel Shamon drilled a shot to center that brought home two of the runs. Later, Alexandra Mendelsohn would deliver the third run with a single to right.

That was more than enough runs for Rachel to work with in the bottom of the ninth. She gave up a hit to Beth Castantini to lead off the inning but retired the next three batters in order to end the game.

Rachel (junior) ended up with three RBI and five strikeouts.

Masco took a 1-0 lead in the second when Shannon Beaton’s bloop single over the drawn in Clipper infield scored Alexandra Mendelsohn.

Vicki Allman came across in the second for Newburyport on Kendra Dow’s single to right to tie the score.

RBI’s by Molli Marshall and Rachel Shamon put Masco in front 3-1 after 2 ½ innings but the Clippers came right back with three runs of their own to get ahead, 4-3. Lauren Singer drove in the first of the three runs with a single past first and later Maddie Stanton’s single up the middle brought in two more.

The Clippers handed out two gifts in the fourth. After Julia O’Reilly reached on an infield single, Shannon Beaton dropped down a bunt. The Clippers tried to get the runner going to second. The throw was wild and by the time Newburyport recovered, Julia had scored and Shannon was on third. So instead of an out and a runner on, Masco had a run in and a runner on third. A wild pitch enabled Shannon to score Masco’s third run of the inning and sixth run of the game.

Carley Siemasko nailed at third.

In the bottom of the fourth, Newburyport ran into an out. Molly Rowe reached on an infield single. Carley Siemasko hit a long triple scoring Molly but was picked off after putting on the brakes too far beyond third. As luck would have it, two batters later Lauren Singer hit a single that would have scored Carley. The Clippers had to settle for only one run in that inning but they had tied the score at five.

Masco went ahead once more in the fifth as Julia O’Reilly’s sacrifice fly scored Alexandra Mendelsohn.

Newburyport would rally to tie the game in the 6th and have chances to end it in the 7th and 8th. Masco, however, held on and put this one away in the ninth.

Shortstop Taylor Evans had three hits for Masco and made several strong throws in the field.

Freshman Lauren Singer and Senior Maddie Stanton each had three hits for Newburyport. Lauren took a ball on the thigh (she’s the catcher) that was painful.

Beth Castantini pitched the first five for the Clippers and Molly Rowe the last four.

Shortstop Kendra Dow made a complete recovery in the field from the adventure she had against North Reading.

Masco boxscore

Newburyport boxscore

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

Taylor Evans reaches second

Alexandra Mendelsohn slides home

Kendra Dow tries to get runner going to third

Carley Siemasko – triple, single, two walks, and two runs scored

Masco mound conference

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Filed under Masconomet, Newburyport

Tagged as Carley Siemasko, Julia O'Reilly, Lauren Singer, Maddie Stanton, Rachel Shamon, Taylor Evans

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.)