Softball: Big days for Swampscott, Lynnfield

Courtney Russo drove in Alex Wilson with the game-winning run on an infield single in the bottom of the 12th as Swampscott edged Marblehead, 6-5, to claim a share of the NEC South title with Danvers at Swampscott on Wednesday.”It was pretty exciting,” Swampscott coach Frank Kowalski said. “It was emotional. It was senior night in Swampscott. I’m very proud of the girls.”Swampscott (13-5) trailed 5-1 in the bottom of the seventh before Kellie Birchmore drove in three runs with a double and scored to tie it on a passed ball.Cortney Fletcher pitched all 12 innings to get the win.Lynnfield 6, North Reading 5 (13 inn.)On senior day for Lynnfield, the seniors were able to do something for the first time in four years: defeat North Reading. After a thrilling 13-inning affair, the Pioneers claimed victory at home.Lynnfield starting pitcher Rachele Milordi was both a hero on the mound and at the plate. Milordi was responsible in the bottom of the 13th for a hard ground ball at the pitcher, which caromed away and allowed for Abby Tobin to score from third. Milordi also pitched a complete game, giving up four earned runs, striking out three and allowing only two walks.Lynnfield (7-12) faced defeat several times during the course of the game. After Lynnfield had taken a 4-3 lead in the fifth inning, North Reading tied the score in the top of the seventh. In the eighth inning the Hornets took a 5-4 lead and threatened to extend their lead before Milordi was able to close out the inning with two consecutive strikeouts on called third strikes.In the bottom frame, Julia Goldstein singled and reached second and third on wild pitches. Tobin then singled to score Goldstein and tie the score.The Pioneers were also able to come up with big defensive plays in extra innings, specifically big outfield catches by Kelsey Mancini and Terri Whelan in the 10th.For Lynnfield, Tobin finished 3-6 with two runs scored and one RBI while both Julia Goldstein and Mancini each finished 2-6 with a run and an RBI each.Danvers 11, Gloucester 5At Danvers, the Falcons clinched a share of the Northeastern Conference South title with Swampscott. For Danvers, Taylor Marie Dullea pitched a complete game, scattering six hits, striking out three and allowing only two earned runs.Offensively for Danvers, Kate Ward finished 3-3 with a run scored and two RBI while Janelle Saggese went 2-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Also knocking in runs for Danvers (14-4) were Logan Carabello and Hannah Demirdogen.Peabody 10, Revere 8At Revere, Katie Brunelle went 3-4 with a triple and an RBI to lead the Tanners to their 10th win on the season. For Peabody (10-5) Holly Smith drove in three runs while MaryKate Helas went 2-5 with a double and two runs knocked in.For the Patriots (3-16) Casandra Petrolla and Lindsey Gurska each put in good performances.Wakefield 2, Fenwick 1At Wakefield, hitting woes once again did in the Crusaders. Fenwick was only able to scrape together four hits and could not knock in runners reaching on walks and errors. For the Crusaders (7-9) Katherine Melanson went 2-3 and Gabby Trahant recorded an RBI when she drove in pinch runner Katie Hart.Alysa Begin started for Fenwick, allowing only six hits and one earned run while striking out six.After only scoring one run in the last three contests, Wednesday’s loss for Fenwick eliminates the Crusaders from postseason play.”We went into a hitting funk these last three games and it hurt us,” said Fenwick coach Paul Lyman.