Classical powers past English

LYNN – If patience is indeed a virtue, then consider the Lynn Classical softball team the model team for the mantra.Mired by a three-game skid, the Rams drew 18 walks against Lynn English pitching, propelling Classical to a 20-3 victory on Tuesday afternoon.Classical (6-6) took advantage of the plethora of free passes by banging out 13 hits, with seven of them coming in a nine-run fourth inning.?We?ve been struggling as of late, so any win is a big one for us,” said Rams coach Chris Warren. “English was having trouble in the circle, so we stayed patient and focused and struck when we had our chances.”The visitors grabbed two runs in their first trips to the plate, but the Bulldogs responded with three of their own to grab an early lead off Classical starter Ivy Martin.After Classical?s Gabby Kenniston and Jen Ierardi drew bases-loaded walks to open the scoring, the hosts got consecutive singles from Sarah Tobin (2 for 3) and Keri Bryson in the bottom of the first.Tobin scored on a groundout by Shanna Zeramby before Bryson came across after a pair of defensive miscues. Jill Bowden tacked on an RBI single, scoring Rachel Calnan.?We came out strong and actually looked very good for an inning or two,” reflected English coach Alisa Fila. “I was very happy with the start but our pitchers really struggled with command and credit Classical for taking advantage of it.”The wheels would fall off the Bulldogs? wagon from there, however, as the Rams grabbed two in the second before a five-run third and nine-run fourth.Amongst the barrage of walks, the visitors got RBI knocks from Franki Galeazzi in the second, third and fifth, third-inning singles from Martin and Kenniston and similar outcomes from Jillian Strileckis, Ally Dunnigan and Courtney Braswell in the fifth.?The offense coming around was great to see, especially when considering we were down after an inning,” said Warren. “We took advantage of the walks as the game went on, obviously, but credit English for coming out swinging.”Kaitlyn Marcinko came off the bench to deliver a two-run double in the fifth, scoring pinch-hitters Lindsey Tobin (double) and Emma DeJoie (single), who both made solid contact with one out in the inning.?We were able to get everybody into the game for two or three innings apiece and each of them contributed, which is always a great feeling,” said Warren.For English, the loss drops the Bulldogs to 1-13, but Fila remains satisfied with both her team?s attitude and effort despite the record.?We?ve had some curveballs thrown at us this season, but the kids show up every day and give it their all,” said Fila. “That?s really all I can ask of them.”