Classical opportunistic in tourney opening win

LYNN – A combination of timely hits and strong pitching by No. 9 Lynn Classical along with errors from No. 24 Peabody led to the Rams? 13-4 win over the Tanners in their Division 1 North preliminary-round game Wednesday at Grace Rogato Field.
?Everybody was very consistent at the plate,” Classical coach Erica Richard said. “It was a good overall win.”
Classical (14-7) starter Tori Adams got into a bit of trouble in the first, walking the leadoff hitter and allowing a bunt single to Paige Hayward. Shelbi Wilson knocked in the game?s first run with a single to right. But Adams managed to limit the damage, and worked her way out of a bases-loaded jam.
Just a freshman, Adams settled in nicely after the rough first inning.
?She really settled down and limited baserunners,” said Richard. “We bounced back well and took away some of their momentum.”
Classical?s Alaina Gridley led off the second with a walk and scored on an error. Another error led to a run and the bases were loaded for Courtney Braswell, who connected for a two-run single.
Peabody (10-11) got a run back in the third as Hayward led off with a single, moving over on Wilson?s base hit and scoring on Michelle McHugh?s fielder?s choice.
Classical really opened up the game n the bottom of the inning. Gridley again led off the inning and reached base, this time on an error. The Tanners got two quick outs, but an error, a hit batter and singles from Jenn Ierardi and Ally Dunnigan led to two runs. Braswell delivered again with a two-run single, and Ivy Martin followed with an RBI single.
Mallory LeBlanc went the first three innings for the Tanners, allowing nine runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks.
Shelbi Wilson, who had been sidelined with an injury and hasn?t pitched in the Tanners? last six games, relieved LeBlanc in the fourth and struck out the side.
But even with Wilson — “one of the best pitchers in the league,” Richard said — on the mound, the Rams were able to adjust.
?(Wilson?s) got one of the best changeups,” Richard said. “We did a good job of jumping out ahead in counts so we didn?t have to see it as much.”
The Tanners scored a pair in the fifth on an RBI single from McHugh and a sacrifice fly from Ashley Jenkins. The Rams responded in the sixth with four runs on hits from Adams, Madison Angelli and Braswell.
Braswell finished the day going 4-for-5 with five RBIs. Richard couldn?t say enough about the way her catcher played in all facets of the game.
?(Braswell) came up huge for us,” Richard said. “She?s sneaky good. She does so well behind the plate and blocks balls that a lot of people might not.”
Adams went the full seven for Classical and earned the win, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks, striking out eight.
The freshman has come into her own on the mound after replacing Martin, who is injured, with weeks left in the regular season season. Adams stepped into the role immediately after returning from a broken bone in her face, suffered when a line drive hit her at first base. The very same game she returned, Martin had to leave the mound, and Adams took over.
?She has some big shoes to fill, but she?s done a good job of keeping us in it,” Richard said.
Of the 13 runs the Rams scored, 12 were unearned. Wilson ended her high school career allowing four runs (none earned) on six hits and striking out seven.
?We pushed her to the limit today,” said Melanaphy. “She?s had an awesome career with us. I?m going to miss her. I?m going to miss all of our seniors.”
Melanaphy said that it was the team?s defense that led to Wednesday?s loss, something that has been an issue for the Tanners all season.
?Errors killed us,” he said. “Classical made the plays and got the hits when they needed them, but we just didn?t do that today. I give them credit.”
The Rams will host No. 25 Central Catholic (10-11) from the Merrimack Valley Conference Saturday at Grace Rogato Field.Katie Morrison can be reached at [email protected]. Follow h