Classical blanks English in clash between Lynn teams

LYNN – The Lynn Classical Rams relied on solid pitching and big hits from their middle-of-the-order bats to top Lynn English, 5-0, on Wednesday at Grace Rogato Field.
English played solid defense in the first, and pitcher Shanna Zeramby allowed one baserunner as Courtney Braswell reached on an infield hit. Classical stranded her at second base after courtesy runner Michelle Scuzzarella stole a base.
The Bulldogs had something cooking in the bottom of the frame as Zeramby reached on an infield single, Sam Holey drew a walk and Emma Trahant loaded the bases on a bunt single. But Classical pitcher Tori Adams induced a groundout to end the inning, escaping the jam.
Zeramby retired the side in order in the top of the second and pitched her way out of a tight spot in the top of the third, getting a pop out with runners on first and second with two down.
The Rams started off the fourth with a bang as Ivy Martin and Alaina Gridley hit back-to-back home runs.
?I don?t think I?ve ever seen that before,” said Rams coach Erica Richard of the back-to-back blasts.
Zeramby settled down and retired the side in order after the two roundtripppers, but the runs would be all the Rams needed to secure the victory. Adams held the Bulldogs to five hits, striking out seven and issuing two walks. Trahant went 1-for-2 with a walk for English, and Sara Tobin, Lindsey Lannon and Holey each had a hit.
In the bottom of the fifth, Martin continued her big day at the plate and gave the Rams a little insurance, smacking a two-run double and advancing to third on the throw.
?(Martin) had a great day at the plate,” Richard said. “She made the adjustments she needed to and hit well after that.”
The Rams grabbed one more run to complete the scoring, and Adams went the full seven for Classical.
?(Adams) pitched well for us. She definitely kept them on their toes,” said Richard. “We?re happy to get this win heading into the Holland Tournament this weekend.”
The Rams improve to 11-5 with the victory and will face St. Mary?s in the annual tournament on Saturday.
For English, the loss drops them to 0-16, but coach Jack Bartlett is seeing progress from his young team.
?We cut down on the errors today,” said Bartlett. “We?re a new, young team and we?re learning. We have a group of very good students, and we?re working to have them learn the game as well as they learn in their classrooms.”Katie Morrison may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KatieMo61.