Fenwick softball team returns to action with victory

PEABODY – After four days off, the Bishop Fenwick softball team looked refreshed and in top form during Monday afternoon?s 5-1 win over visiting Matignon.Natalie Moore was solid in the circle for the Crusaders, who broke open a 1-1 tie with two runs apiece in the third and fifth off Kayla McKinnon, who presented the hosts with a not-often-seen challenge.?I thought the rest we got over the last few days helped us a lot,” explained Fenwick coach Paul Lyman. “Natalie was strong the whole way and our offense did a nice job in scraping some runs across despite being kept off balance for most of the game.”McKinnon, a lefty, relied on her primary pitch, a looping changeup, to keep the Crusaders honest over her six innings.?It was a bit of a struggle today, their pitcher had us fooled,” said Lyman. “Our girls were forced to move up in the box and sit on their back foot. Fortunately, we were able to put the ball in play enough to take advantage of some errors (three total) and grab a few big hits as well.”The third saw the hosts grab a one-out single to right from Jen Crovo, scoring Bridget Corcoran and Chandler Wilder, who reached on a fielder?s choice and error, respectively.Two innings later, Fenwick put the game to bed, helped along by a returning force.With one out, Gabby Hart reached on an infield single that turned into a fielder?s choice when Crovo was thrown out at second.Charlotte Powers followed by ripping a 3-2 pitch to left for a run-scoring triple.Mikayla Porcaro would draw a free pass to set the stage for Gianna Pizzano, making her first appearance in over two weeks after suffering an injury.The senior all-star wasted little time making her presence felt, ripping the second pitch she saw through the 5-6 hole, plating the Crusaders? final tally.?I asked her if she felt ready enough to hit and she obviously was,” said Lyman of his welcomed-back addition. “Having her back will really reset our lineup going forward and allow us to get back to where we were before the injury.”The hosts grabbed a run in their first trips to the plate.Corcoran led off with a single before advancing to second on a passed ball, leading to a successful sacrifice bunt from Wilder. Crovo?s ensuing fielder?s choice broke the ice.The Warriors responded in their half of the third.Leadoff hitter Julia Graff drew a walk before stealing second and reaching third on a passed ball. An ensuing groundout to shortstop by Natalie McAllistor knotted things.In earning the win, Moore yielded just five hits (three by Jocelyn Tager) while walking four and striking out seven.Fenwick (9-5) hosts Archbishop Williams on Friday (3).