By STEPHEN MARTELLUCCI
LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High softball coach Hector Longo gave out six individual awards at the team’s end-of-season banquet held at the Route 1 Grill House in Saugus on June 11.
The Offensive MVP Award went to Morgan Hubbard. The junior shortstop was 33 for 69 at bat for a .478 average and in 79 plate appearances, she had 10 walks and only struck out twice. Hubbard also made the Cape Ann League First-Team All-Stars this spring.
The Defensive MVP Award was given to Lily Williams. The sophomore catcher allowed only six steals this spring.
Kaila George took home the Team Player Award. The junior left fielder hit .382 with 17 runs batted in.
The Coaches Award went to senior third baseman, Ava Gamache. The co-captain made the CAL Second Team All-Stars this year.
Gamache, who was a CAL First-Team All-Star twice in her career, hit .257, scored 20 runs and knocked in 10.
Catie Kampersal received the Spirit Award. The senior captain played in center field this season.
The Heart Award went to senior pitcher and captain Sophia Brown. She won seven games in the circle and her earned-run average was 3.79.
The Pioneers reached the MIAA Division 4 state tournament and lost at home to Milbury, 6-5, in eight innings in the opening round on June 2.
They finished 8-13 overall and were 6-10 in the Cape Ann League. The Pioneers ended up in third place in the CAL Baker Division.
“We knocked on the door this year,” said Longo, who just completed his second year at the helm. “We play in a very tough league and pushed teams to the limit including beating Triton.”
Lynnfield will lose Gamache, Kampersal and Brown to graduation.
“Ava is a gamer and her defense at third was tremendous,” said Longo. “Kampersal is a three-sport athlete and she was outstanding in center the second half of the year. Sophia gave us everything she had and she worked hard during the off-season with her pitching coach.”
Longo was also impressed with how the three led as tri-captains.
“Those three showed the value of having captains,” he stated.
The Pioneers are expecting nine veterans to return next year.
“We have a lot of good players coming back including some good defensive players,” said Longo. “Replacing Sophia’s pitching and Gamache at third will be tough.”
Several of the Pioneer players will be playing in summer leagues to enhance their skills.