Softball: Classical dodges Danvers

The Classical softball team got off to a rocky start in Northeastern Conference play earlier this season, but after losing their first two league games, the Rams have now won five in a row, with the latest victory a 2-1 thriller over Danvers Monday at Danvers.Sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Coppinger was all business, allowing five hits, striking out nine and walking one for the win.”She is having a monster year,” Classical coach Chris Warren said. “She gave us everything she had in the last inning. She withstood some scary moments.”Hannah Byrne took care of the offense, as she went 2-for-3, scoring one of the runs and knocking in the other. She also had a great game defensively with a combination of eight assists and putouts at shortstop. Freshman Angela Erelli also came up big with a potentially game-saving catch in right-centerfield.Logan Carabello had a strong game at the plate, going 2-for-4 for the Falcons (4-3). Classical is 8-2.Fenwick 13, Williams 1At Bishop Fenwick, Alyssa Begin pitched a whale of a game, allowing only one hit (a home run in the seventh inning). Begin struck out 11 and walked one. She was also a force at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a single, four RBI and three runs scored. The Crusaders (5-6) also had good games from senior Amanda McInnis (2-for-3, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI) and Gabby Trahant of Lynn (2-for-2, RBI).English 12, Gloucester 2At Lynn, Tiffany Drown fanned 12 and allowed only four hits for the Bulldogs (3-5). Drown had support from Cathia Hernandez (2-for-2, RBI, 3 runs scored); Val Fiaccaprile (2-for-3); Cara Crowley (hit, 2 runs scored) and Sam Earp (hit, 2 runs scored). The Bulldogs also played well defensively.Swampscott 8, Peabody 3At Salem, the Big Blue scored eight runs in the third inning, with two walks with the bases loaded and three big hits doing the bulk of the damage. Sophomore Alexa Battersby pitched the first two-plus innings for the Tanners with senior Nicole Wilson coming on in relief in the third with the score 8-0. Wilson went the rest of the way.Cortney Fletcher (RBI double); Moe Bradley (RBI single) and Alex Wilson (RBI single) provided the Big Blue an offensive spark. Kirstin Vinal went the distance for Swampscott, scattering six hits and striking out three. MaryKate Helas (2-for-3, RBI) and Olivia Brothers (2-for-4, 2 RBI) helped out Peabody at the plate.St. Mary’s 5, Marian 1At Framingham, the Spartans (8-2) scored three runs in the sixth inning to give themselves a little maneuvering room. Sam Kiley went the distance, allowing four hits, a walk and striking out three.Ariel LaRosa swung the bat well, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Maria Nazzaro (4-for-4) and Michelle Macchione (3-for-3) also helped out.Beverly 3, Saugus 2At Beverly, the Panthers’ Monica Cassola hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Saugus tied the game in the sixth, but Beverly’s Courtney Brennan hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the winning run. Junior Sarah Pezzulo picked up the win for the Panthers (3-5). She allowed three hits and struck out four.Saugus pitcher Nicole Lowe (9 hits, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts) took the loss. Offensively, the Sachems (6-4) had big games from Christine Canada (2-for-3, two singles); and Steph Terrazzano (double) and Gina Reppucci (RBI).Marblehead 5, Salem 2At Mack Park, the Magicians scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to pull out the win after Salem catcher Rachel Channen had singled to left with two outs and a full count to send the game to extra innings. Kathryn DiGiammarino (3-for-5) and Maggie Herman (2-for-4) supplied the Marblehead firepower. Sarah Hastings allowed 10 hits, fanned four and walked two for the win. Salem pitcher Sarah Chasse allowed five hits and struck out seven.Salem is 8-2 and Marblehead is 5-4.Winthrop 3, Revere 0At Revere, the game was scoreless until the top of the fourth inning when Winthrop’s Amanda Brogna led off with a double and scored on a single by Angela Pettee. The Vikings (6-4) scored again in th