Rams softball tops Bulldogs, reaches tourney

LYNN – The Classical High softball team?s road to the state tournament hasn?t been as smooth as in past years, but the Rams arrived at their destination Wednesday night thanks to a 19-3 win over English at Grace Rogato Field.?This one gets us to 11,” Classical coach Chris Warren said. “It gets us into the tournament. From 6-9 to get to this point … I?m very proud of this team. They had to claw their way back, but they reached their goal.”The Rams started the season strong, taking a 4-1 record to Florida, but they lost three of four and when they came back, it was a struggle. At one point Classical had lost six of seven games.The Rams have now won five in a row and they head into the John Holland Tournament this weekend playing for a better seed rather than playing to keep their season alive.The Bulldogs (1-17) have a game remaining against Malden and then it?s on to the Holland Tournament. English was in danger of being shut out and no-hit, but the Bulldogs finally got to Classical pitcher Ivy Martin in the top of the fifth inning. They strung together back-to-back hits with two runs coming in on a couple of throwing errors.?I?m proud of the team. A lot of teams would have hung their heads and given up, but they scored three runs,” English coach Alisa Fila said.The Rams pounced early, scoring four runs in the first inning and three in the second for a quick 7-0 lead. Martin not only stymied the Bulldogs by only allowing one baserunner in the first four innings, she also got the job done with the bat with an RBI single in the second inning and a two-run double in the third.The Rams took advantage of a half-dozen walks and a couple of errors in those first two innings to seize control early. The third inning proved deadly for the Bulldogs, with the Rams adding seven runs to take a 14-0 lead after three.?We?re struggling with the pitching,” Fila said. “I have kids pitching who have never pitched before, but the kids show up every day and they work hard.”Warren went to his bench early, but the Rams still managed to add five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.Rams contributors included Franki Galeazzi (2-for-2, 2 runs, 3 walks); Courtney Braswell (2-for-2, 2 RBI); and Alina Gridley (in her varsity debut), who went 1-for-1 with a run scored. Jess Perez had a hit, two walks and two RBI and Martin went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI. Madison Angelli had a hit and scored a run.English?s Emma Trahant spoiled Martin?s no-hit bid with a single up the middle and Alyx Newhall followed with another single up the middle. They both scored on an error. Center fielder Keri Bryson was another bright spot for the Bulldogs with several nice catches in center field.The Rams are 11-9 with two games remaining and English is 1-17 with three games left.