Lynn Babe Ruth softball 16’s bow out in New England Regionals

LYNN – It was two-and-through for the Lynn Babe Ruth 16’s on Saturday. The team was eliminated from the New England Regionals, courtesy of a 3-2 nine-inning loss to seventh-seed Somersworth (NH) in Pool B action at Grace Rogato Field.Click here for a photo gallery.Earlier in the day, eighth-seed Lynn absorbed a 15-2 setback to sixth-seed Pittsfield.Extra hitter Shadai Gosselin opened the top of the ninth for Somersworth by singling to right off Lynn righty Chelsey Martin. Gosselin advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches, and she gave her club a 3-2 lead, scoring on teammate Megan Estabrook’s single into left.Lynn had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the frame. First baseman Keri Donovan led off with a single, but Somersworth hurler Taylor Lyman retired the next two batters. Left fielder Thaliana Cuevas (who made two of the greatest catches in the contest, running into foul territory off the bat of second baseman Ashley Eastman) walked to put runners on first and second, yet second baseman Gabby Trahant hit the first pitch by Lyman to second to end the game and Lynn’s hopes.The team had a great opportunity to win in the eighth. Lyman walked shortstop Angela Erelli on a full count leading off the inning. A pair of sacrifice bunts moved her over to third. Martin was walked intentionally, but catcher Paola Otero bounced into an infield out to end the threat.”We couldn’t capitalize on those situations,” said Lynn coach Judy Bower. “Angela made it to third with two outs (in the eighth), but we couldn’t get her in.”Trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Lynn put together a two-run rally to even the score. Third baseman Sam Earp singled to right on the first offering by Lyman. A bunt sent her to second, and one out later, she took third on an infield error. Earp put Lynn on the board soon after, crossing the plate on a wild pitch (with Donovan, who got aboard on the error, taking second). Extra hitter Shawna Drown then promptly doubled to left, bringing Donovan home with the tying run.Somersworth touched Martin for a pair of runs in the top of the first. Shortstop Nicole Hinchey walked to begin the game, then teammate Hayley Junkins reached on an infield error. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and catcher Sam Crossman singled to left to score Hinchey. The ball eluded Cuevas, and Junkins came home on the error.Martin settled down afterwards, walking one in each of the first four innings and scattering seven hits.Against Pittsfield, Lynn scored twice in the first, but couldn’t do anything further.”We didn’t have too much time to get the team together (prior to all the various tournaments) after the regular season, as we had the ASA tournament four days later, then the state tourney last week, and then the regionals this weekend,” Bower said. “We had some tough situations, but I’m very proud of the girls, and I hope they enjoyed the season.”Bower lauded the leadership and play of seniors Cuevas, Donovan, Drown, Trahant and right fielder Taylor Newhall.