PHOTO BY ANN MARIE TOBIN
Lynn’s Sophia LeBert will look to be a key cog in the Wyoma softball team’s success in the upcoming District 16 tournament next week.
By NATALIE DURAZO
Last year was a successful one for the Wyoma Little League softball all-stars. They won the District 16 championship and made it all the way through the regionals before falling to eventual state runner-up Woburn.
Manager Jay Newhall hopes to duplicate that success this year, beginning Monday when the tournament begins with games in Saugus and Peabody.
There are six teams in this year’s tournament: Wyoma, a combine of East Lynn/West Lynn/Pine Hill, Saugus, Marblehead, Salem and Peabody. Among the towns not represented in District 16 is Swampscott.
According to tournament director Mike Pickering, Swampscott — which has won several district titles over the years — was not able to field a team.
The mainstay from last year’s Wyoma team, pitcher Abby Fila, is gone, “and she’s going to be difficult to replace,” Newhall said. He’s hoping Lily Newhall can pick up the slack.
“However,” he said, “we still have the bats we had last year. We’ve been practicing a lot, and as long as we get the girls in the right positions, we’ll have a chance.”
Newhall will count on the experience the likes of Riley Mannion, Sophia LeBert, Andrea Brazell, Keri Clougherty and Amanda Tobin can provide.
“I tell the girls the only way you can create good memories is to win,” he said, “so why not win and create very good memories.
“I think we should have a solid team,” he said. “We’re hitting the ball in practice. But you know how it is. They’re all kids. We have to go in hoping we keep the mistakes at a minimum and that we hit the ball.
The East Lynn combine will be at Saugus Monday (5:30 p.m.), while Salem will go to Peabody (5:45 p.m.). Wyoma and Marblehead drew the byes. Marblehead will host the East Lynn/Saugus winner Wednesday at 5:45 p.m., while the Salem/Peabody winner will travel to Wyoma Tuesday, also at 5:45 p.m.
East Lynn, under the direction of former Classical head varsity coach Chris Warren, brings back seven starters from last year’s team. Among them is his daughter, Brooke, who is slated to be the team’s No. 1 pitcher.
“She’s been working really hard to prepare for this tournament, practicing anytime she has,” Warren said.
In last year’s tournament, East Lynn was eliminated in a close loss to Saugus, and Warren says it is itching to get back and try again.
“The girls are practicing and working hard every day, yes we want to win because winning is always a good thing,” he said. “But all we can hope for is that they enjoy themselves too and that is what this tournament is really about.”
Saugus knows what it is in store for when it faces East Lynn.
“They were tough last year, and we expect them to be tough again this year,” said manager Steve Almquist.
Saugus is led by four returning players, including Leah Ventre, who will serve as the No. 1 pitcher after switching from shortstop last year. Kyra Jones, Madison Niles and Hannah O’Brien are the three others returning.
Inexperience will be a factor for Saugus this year, but Almquist has no doubt his girls will be prepared and ready to compete.
“The girls are excited, we are competitive, and we are fast so if we play smart we will do well,” he said.
Salem had an early exit last year, winning one and losing two, but is looking for better results this time around. It three returning players from the previous season, and manager Dana Hutchinson says the fun will be the challenge of working so many inexperienced players into the lineup.
“We feel like we are ready, and the girls are excited,” Hutchinson said.
