Wilson throws blanks as Peabody tops Classical

PEABODY – Pitcher Shelbi Wilson hurled a shutout as the Tanners topped Classical, 2-0, Wednesday in Peabody.
?Classical is a tough team to beat,” said Tanners coach Butch Melanaphy. “It was a good team win. We needed something to perk us up, and this win could do it.”
Courtney Braswell got things started for the Rams with two outs in the first inning, reaching on a single, advancing to second on Ivy Martin?s walk, and stealing third. Classical stranded the two runners, and that?d be all the offense it could muster against Wilson until Alaina Gridley singled in the fourth. Those were Classical?s only two hits of the day.
?We hit the ball hard, but we hit them right at people,” Classical coach Erica Richard said. “Wilson?s a great pitcher, she kept our batters on their toes. We just couldn?t get the big hit when we needed it.”
Wilson went the full seven, allowing just one walk and fanning six, striking out the side in the second frame.
?She was hitting her spots today,” said Melanaphy. “When she does that, it?s really tough to hit her. Classical?s a good hitting team, too. She also picked up her speed a bit, you could really hear the ball pop when it hit the catcher?s glove.”
The Tanners? relied on small ball to push across their two runs. Mallory LeBlanc started the bottom of the third with a leadoff walk, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt, and to third on a groundout. Ashley Jenkins? RBI single produced the first run of the game.
The Tanners would score again in the fourth, with Michelle McHugh working a leadoff walk, advancing to second on Dom Del Benne?s walk, and to third on Kayla Santos?s sac bunt. McHugh would come around to score on a dropped third strike to Courtney Sabino.
It truly was a pitcher?s duel, as Classical?s Martin allowed just three hits, struck out five, and walked four.
?She pitched well,” Richard said of Martin. “The loss certainly wasn?t for lack of effort on her part.”
Both teams played solid defense, with neither making an error. The defensive highlight came from Classical?s Emma Dejoie, who scooped up a single off the bat of McHugh in the fifth and fired a throw into third, nailing Gabby Koch for the final out of the inning.
With the win, Peabody improves to 5-5.
?It?s been a frustrating year, we win one and then we lose one,” Melanaphy said. “We?ve got to string them together. Now we?re thinking ahead and have our sights set on making the tournament.”
Classical dropped to 7-3.
?We have a great group of girls,” said Richard. “They get along very well and they?re all working hard.”Katie Morrison may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KatieMo61.