Softball: Saugus rallies to defeat Winthrop in extras

The Saugus softball team found itself in a big hole early at Winthrop Wednesday night, but the Sachems rallied back and defeated Winthrop 8-5 in extra innings.Saugus coach Jessica Lucier was happy with her team’s performance.”I expected this game to be a tough one. It was a battle from beginning to end, but my team was fortunate enough to come up with a few more plays than Winthrop,” Lucier said.Winthrop was up 5-0 after three innings on its senior night. Saugus fought back and tied the game 5-5 in the top of the fifth inning. The score stayed 5-5 until the top of the 11th inning. Jessica Allen hit the game-winning single that made the score 6-5. Alyssa Furtado gave the Sachems insurance by driving in two more runs to make the score 8-5. Saugus pitcher Meghan Molloy got stronger and stronger as the game progressed (11 innings, 5 runs). Molloy gave up five runs through the first three innings, and did not give up one through the next eight innings. Saugus is now 8-8.North Reading 1, Lynnfield 0At North Reading, Lynnfield outhit North Reading by seven (8-1), but North Reading took advantage of a couple Lynnfield mistakes in the third inning to steal the game. Lynnfield pitcher Mel Mancinelli was brilliant on the mound (7 innings, 7 strikeouts, 2 walks, 1 hit, 1 run). The only hit Mancinelli surrendered was in the first inning, and she faced only three more hitters then the minimum she could face. Lynnfield finished the season at 13-7.Peabody 4, Revere 3At Revere, the visiting Tanners (10-8) qualified for the state tournament behind a solid outing from starting pitcher Shelbi Wilson, who picked up the win while striking out five. Olivia Brothers (1-2, triple, RBI) and Katie French (1-2, RBI) paced Peabody offensively.Marblehead 7, Swampscott 5At Swampscott, it was a tie score (3-3) after three innings. In the top of the fifth inning, Marblehead’s Emily Messinger hit a grand slam that gave Marblehead a comfortable 7-3 lead. Olivia Vener had a strong day at the plate as well for the Magicians (2 hits). Swampscott freshman Sam Rizzo had a strong performance (3 hits, RBI). Tori Thistle hit a home run for the Big Blue and Merry Ball chipped in with two hits. Swampscott is now 12-5.Salem 5, Beverly 1At Beverly, Salem pitcher Samantha Mento surrendered three hits and one run in the first inning, but then settled down to shut down Beverly. Mento only gave up one hit total after the first inning (7 innings, 4 hits, 1 run). Joanna Coleman and Desiree Martin were both on base four times and scored a run each for Salem. Salem is now 2-15.