Softball: Classical rallies back for big win over Malden

The annual Coaches vs. Cancer always has special significance for the Classical High softball team and its opponent of the last two years, Malden High.It raises money (more than $2,000 in three years) for a cause close to many people connected with the team who have dealt with cancer in any capacity. This year, the fans who braved the rain were treated to a great game. The Rams (9-9) battled back from a 3-0 deficit heading into the bottom of the seventh inning to win 4-3 on a two-run single by Kathy Perez. The game was at Grace Rogato Field.”We kept our composure, kept our heads in the game,” Classical coach Chris Warren said.Both pitchers, Classical’s Ivy Martin (5 hits, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts) and Malden’s Alex Brown (8 hits, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts) had to contend with the rain at time. Martin’s troubles came in the third inning when walked a couple of batters and Brown doubled to drive in two runs and another run came in on a hit for a 3-0 Malden lead.Classical had runners on base throughout the game, but couldn’t get the big hit. The Rams did, however, shut down Malden (12-3) the rest of the way.”We had opportunities and they kept closing the door,” Warren said.That changed in the seventh inning. Jen Ierardi reaching on a nubber in front of the plate and Ally Dunnigan delivered the run with a triple to left-center field. Franki Galeazzi reached base and when Lindsey Tobin bunted, Malden threw the ball away and Dunnigan scored to make it 3-2. Galeazzi tried to score, but the bad throw to the plate bounced back to the catcher and Galeazzi was out.The rally continued, however, with Jill Strileckis and Martin walking to load the bases for Kathy Perez, who singled to left center, scoring Krista Cuozzo and Michelle Scuzzarella, who were in to run.Prior to the start of the game, Mark Abernathy (father of assistant coach Lauren Phelps) threw out the first pitch. Abernathy has battled cancer. Leah Warren (Warren’s wife) also threw out a pitch in memory of her cousin, Jack Emerzian, who died of cancer earlier this week. His funeral was Friday morning.Winthrop 4, Peabody 3At Winthrop, the Vikings (12-6) had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning. Taylor Thomas. Peabody had a three-run top of the sixth, which tied the game 3-3. In the bottom of the sixth, Winthrop freshman Regina Guarufo hit the game-winning RBI single with two outs. Winthrop scored all four of its runs with two outs. Maura Lanza had a solid performance on the mound for the Vikings (7 innings, 9 hits, 6 strikeouts, 2 walks, 3 runs, 2 earned runs). Guarufo (2 hits, 3 RBI) and Taylor Thomas (2-for-3, run scored, RBI) led the way for the Vikings.Peabody pitcher Shelbi Wilson struck out nine, allowed five hits and walked one. The Tanners had a two-run single from Shannon Pieres and an RBI single from Dana Collins. The Tanners are 10-4, 9-3 in the Northeastern Conference.Fenwick 2, Williams 1At Bishop Fenwick, the Crusaders scored a run in the third inning when Natalie Moore singled and ended up scoring on a passed ball. They scored the winning run in the fourth when Chandler Wilder reached on an infield hit, went to second on a sacrifice by Jen Provo and then scored on an RBI double by junior catcher Gaby Hart. Archbishop Williams got one back in the fifth.Moore (6 hits, 5 walks, 13 strikeouts) go the the win. She and the Crusaders are 10-5. They qualified for the state tournament with the win.Revere 3, Westford 2At Revere, the score was tied 0-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning. The Patriots (12-5) scored three runs in the fourth, with clutch hits from Cassandra Divella (RBI single) and Stephanie Gregorio (RBI single). Cheyanne Fullen pinched hit for Revere in fourth, and put down a perfect bunt on a squeeze play that produced the Patriots third run. Revere pitcher Sabrina Palermo was cruising until surrendering a two-run home run in the top of the seventh with two outs. Palermo got the last batter to pop out to preserve the win (7 innings, 11 strikeout