UPDATE: Pioneer softball wraps up regular season falling to Pentucket, beats Rockport, edged by North Reading

 

After press time:
Lynnfield falls to Pentucket 10-3 (May 22)

 

Published May 22, 2024

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — It was a rough afternoon for the Lynnfield High softball team on Monday as they were blanked, 13-0, by guest Amesbury in a five-inning mercy-rule game.

With the loss, the Pioneers moved to 8-11 overall and 6-9 in the Cape Ann League. The Red Hawks improved to 13-3 overall and 10-1 in the CAL.

“They have a tremendous pitcher (Izzy Levasseur),” said Pioneers head coach Hector Longo. “We only got one hit off her and she struck out 11 in only five innings.”

The one hit was by Kaila George.

“Kaila also made two nice plays in left field,” pointed out Longo.

Amesbury, who won the CAL Baker Division title last year, scored once in the second inning, twice in the third and five times in the fourth and fifth innings to break the game open.

Pioneer pitcher, Sophia Brown, went four innings allowing eight runs (six earned), nine hits, no walks and she struck out one.

On May 17, the news was much better as the Pioneers rolled over Rockport, 14-2, on the road in a six-inning mercy-rule game.

Brown got the win as she pitched four innings allowing no runs, three hits, no walks and she fanned one. Gia Gagnon pitched the final two frames allowing two runs. .

“We capitalized on their mistakes,” pointed out Longo, as the Vikings committed four errors and their pitchers walked seven.

The Pioneer offense had seven hits led by Sierra Scanlon who went 3 for 4 with three runs batted in.

“That was her best game of the season,” stated Longo.

Freshman Chloe McEwen was 2 for 4 with two runs batted in and that was her first-two career hits.

Morgan Hubbard and Catie Kampersal both had RBI doubles.

Lynnfield scored in five innings as they had one in the first, four in the third, two in the fourth, four in the fifth and three more in the top of the sixth.

On May 15, the Pioneers were edged, 6-5, at North Reading. The Hornets were able to complete the season sweep over LHS as they won the first meeting, 11-3, on April 25.

“I could not have been more thrilled with the way we played,” said Longo, despite the result. “We did not commit any errors and played well.”

The long-ball was the back-breaker for the Pioneers as the Hornets had three homers to account for all six runs including a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth.

The Pioneers had 10 hits led by Olivia Kelter who went a perfect 3 for 3 at the dish. Catcher, Lily Williams, was 2 for 3 with two RBI. Libby Considine was the team’s other multiple hitter going 2 for 3.

Brown pitched all six innings allowing six runs, nine hits, no walks and she struck out two.

Lynnfield lost at Essex Tech, 8-5, up in Danvers on May 14 as the Hawks were able to split the home-and-home series as Lynnfield won the day before, 4-2.

Gagnon gave up six earned runs (eight total), nine hits, six walks and she struck out two.

“She struggled with her control and they took advantage of that,” said Longo. “We also came out flat after beating them the day before.”

Geroge led the offense going 4 for 4. Kelter was 2 for 4 with two RBI while Kampersal was also 2 for 4.

Lynnfield had 10 hits overall.

The Pioneers wrap up the regular season on May 22 as they host Pentucket at 4 p.m. Lynnfield is looking to try to split the season series as the Panthers won the first match-up, 2-0, back on April 29.

Lynnfield entered this week seeded 15th in the MIAA Division 4 power rankings. The top 32 schools, at the end of the regular season, automatically qualify for the state tournament.

If the Pioneers can finish in the top 16, they will get a home game in the first round.