New era begins for Classical softball under Richard

For the first time in 15 years, there is a new leader of Lynn Classical softball.
Erica Richard, a St. Mary?s alum and Thurgood Marshall Middle School English teacher, accepted the position last November. She replaces Chris Warren, who coached the Rams to seasons of success over 15 years but stepped down after a promotion to vice principal at Classical last summer.
?It?s just an amazing opportunity,” said Richard, who as an assistant for seven seasons at St. Mary?s but is a first-time head coach. “Chris Warren did an incredible job with the program and the girls are very close.”
Classical finished 10-8 and qualified for the state tournament last season, and the team has lofty aspirations again this year. Led by senior captains Ivy Martin, Jen Ierardi, and Taylor Ferraro, the Rams plan to be a very competitive squad.
?I?ve been able to bounce ideas off them and they?ve helped bring the team together,” said Richard. “We?re not changing what works, we?re adding to it. They?ve been my sounding board to mesh everything together.”
With snow still covering fields all over the North Shore, Classical will start its season by traveling to Cape Cod in two weekends to play in a series of scrimmages at Mashpee High School.
?We?re really looking forward to spending that time together,” she said. “You could feel the nervousness on the first day of tryouts, but we?re really excited to get started. At least we?ll spend that time together as a team.”
?I’m hoping we really come together and improve on last year,” she said. “Our goal is to make the tournament, and win the Northeastern Conference. It?s been a lot of fun so far, but we know there is still a lot of work to do.”Justin Barrasso can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.