Lynn Babe Ruth softball 14s prep for New England Regionals

The Lynn Babe Ruth 14-year-old softball all-stars have been working hard this week shoring up the weak spots, according to manager Wayne Kerrins, but if the team’s performance in the states two weekends ago is any indicator, the question could be, “What weak spots are we talking about?”The 14s are off to the New England Regionals in Pittsfield this weekend after making easy work of the competition at the state level. The team didn’t allow a run in three games, winning by scores of 11-0, 5-0 and 5-0.Pitchers Katie Cuozzo and Brooke L’Abbe were about as stingy with the hits as you get, with Cuozzo throwing a no-hitter in the first game and allowing only two hits in the third game. In between, L’Abbe was equally tough, surrendering only three hits. Both pitchers also had plenty of support behind them.”Our defense has been exceptionally strong,” Kerrins said. “Even when they make a mistake, they recover fast. When they would make an error, they would turn around and get an out somewhere else. They don’t panic.”Lynn is scheduled to open Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. against a team to be announced. The original opponent, Rochester, dropped out, but was replaced. Lynn is scheduled to play two more games on Saturday (8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.). The teams that make it out of pool play face a single elimination format on Sunday with games scheduled at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. There are 12 teams in the tournament.Last year, the Lynn 14s reached the finals of the New England Regionals, where they lost to a team from Concord, NH. Several players from that team are back this year, including Cuozzo and L’Abbe on the mound/first base, third baseman Samantha Earp, shortstop Kim Shinnick and centerfielder Angela Erelli.The veteran contingent is joined by catcher Paola Otero, first baseman/outfielder Olivia DeJoie; second baseman Danielle Moran; and outfielders Marianne Halas, Chelsey Martin, Taylor Cash, Jerrica Della Santos, Meaghan Walker, Caitlin Calef and Tatiana Doucette. Doucette is frequently used as a courtesy runner and Calef as an extra hitter.”Our bench has been excellent,” Kerrins said. “We have a lot of versatility and we have a lot of speed. This is a good bunch of girls. They know their roles and they work hard.”