Marblehead L.L. softball all-stars capture District 16 championship

LYNN – There?s a new sheriff in town.The Marblehead Little League softball All-Stars won the District 16 championship Wednesday with a 9-2 win over Saugus at Wyoma?s Lynn Woods Field. This is the first time Marblehead has won the district.?This is our first district championship,” Marblehead manager Andrew Trasher said. “I?m very proud. These girls played awesome in all the games.”Marblehead had its ace, Charlotte Plakans, in the circle and Emma Howard pitched for Saugus. Plakans has been pretty stingy throughout the tournament and she was tough again in the final, allowing only five hits while striking out five and walking one. Heading into the game she had only given up two walks in three games and she had struck out over 17. Her ERA was 1.80.?She?s been phenomenal,” Trasher said. “We really wouldn?t be where we are without her. It?s her control and speed (that make her so effective).”Marblehead scored two runs in the second inning. The first came on an RBI single by Darcy O?Sullivan that scored Frances Paik, who had walked, and the second run came in on a passed ball. Marblehead added another run in the third inning on an RBI single by Plakans.Saugus made some noise in the top of the fourth inning when Molly Granara doubled and scored on an error and Jennie Iudice singled and scored on a fielder?s choice, but it was all Marblehead in the bottom of the inning.Marblehead scored four runs in the fourth with Rachael Saulnier driving in one on a single to center field and Plakans driving in one on a groundout. Mercedez Pelletier singled and ended up scoring on a passed ball and Kathryn Percy, who reached on a bunt single, also scored that inning. Marblehead put the game out of reach with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on RBI singles by Madi Dimare and Corinne Ahern.One of the interesting things about this year?s championship game is that it featured two teams that have never won before. Marblehead has been to the District 16 final, but lost. Saugus had never played for the title. Up until last year, when Peabody won the district, Wyoma Little League and Swampscott Little League dominated. Neither team made it out of the losers? bracket this year.?I know the kids were disappointed,” Saugus Little League manager Steve Almquist said. “But this is nothing to hang your head about. This was the first Saugus team to get to the district final.”Saugus had a rough road to the final after dropping into the losers? bracket. Last night?s game was the team?s fifth in a row.?Every night (after losing Saturday) we faced elimination and the kids rose to the challenge,” Almquist said. “We played well. Unfortunately Marblehead played a little better. They?re a classy group of kids and a classy organization. We had a good ride. Unfortunately it came to an end.”Marblehead will play July 2 against the winner of District 7.