Published May 12, 2021

By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI

LYNNFIELD — In their 2019 campaign, the Lynnfield High softball team reached the Division 3 North semifinals before losing to the eventual state champions, Austin Prep, to end up at 14-8. 

The Pioneers lost three seniors from that team and then lost one senior from last season, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peter Marinelli is back as the Pioneers head coach for his 10th year.

There are only two players back who played significant time back in 2019 and they are both this year’s senior co-captains: Reilly Ganter is a pitcher while Chloe Shapleigh is a shortstop.

“We have a very young team this year,” pointed out Marinelli, who has started four sophomores and two freshman in his team’s first couple of games. “Our goal is to improve everyday and get that experience we need.”

The Pioneers will play a 13-game regular season as all of the games will be Cape Ann League contests. They will play the Kinney Division schools twice and the Baker Division teams once.

The league has one less squad from 2019 as Masconomet left for the Northeastern Conference back in September.

On Monday afternoon, the Pioneers won their home opener against Triton 8-6 to go to 1-1.

“I was extremely proud of the girls,” stated Marinelli. “The seniors showed outstanding leadership.”

With the scored tied at 5-5, Lynnfield plated three runs in the bottom of the 6th to lead 8-5. The Vikings scored once in the top of the 7th as Ganter was able to get the win in the circle as she went to 1-1.

Shapleigh went 2 for 3 at bat with a solo home run. Ganter helped her own cause going 2 for 4 while sophomore Lauren Amico was the team’s third multiple hitter going 2 for 4 with a pair of triples.

In the season opener on May 7, Lynnfield lost at North Reading by a count of 8-1.

“They look like they have another strong team this year,” said Marinelli about the Hornets.

Shapleigh had the lone run batted in.

On Wednesday (May 12), the Pioneers host Triton. They then go to Hamilton-Wenham on Friday (May 14). Both of those games will start at 3:45 p.m.

On May 17, Lynnfield welcomes Newburyport with that game starting at 4:45 p.m.