ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
Wyoma’s Kenzie McLaren rounds second base during a win over Peabody in the District 16 softball tournament on Wednesday.
By MIKE ALONGI
LYNN — The Wyoma bats came alive on Thursday afternoon, leading to a 10-3 win over Peabody in the District 16 softball tournament at Lynn Woods Field. Amanda Tobin, Sophia LeBert and Riley Mannion each had two RBIs to lead the way, while Lily Newhall and Kenzie McLaren each had one RBI.
Wednesday’s contest was the first for Wyoma in the tournament. The team got a bye in the first round, waiting for the winner of Peabody and Salem.
“We practiced a lot, and I think we just needed to play a game,” said Wyoma coach Jay Newhall. “Everybody hit the ball, everybody did what they were supposed to do, and we came away with the win.”
Newhall also got the win on the mound for Wyoma, pitching a complete game and giving up three runs on two hits with four strikeouts.
For Peabody, Isabella Bettencourt, Caitlin Desmond and Gina Terrazzano each had one RBI. Peabody’s pitcher, Abby Bettencourt, pitched a complete game with three strikeouts.
Peabody struck the first blow, grabbing a run on an RBI groundout by Isabella Bettencourt. Peabody threatened with runners on second and third with two outs after that, but Newhall got a big strikeout to get out of the jam.
Wyoma tied it up and took the lead in the bottom of the first. It got a runner to third with just one out for LeBert, who smashed an RBI triple to right-center field. Mannion was up next, and hit an RBI groundout to give Wyoma a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the second, Wyoma got runners to second and third for Tobin, who hit a two-run single. She then moved over to third on a throwing error to set up LeBert, who grabbed her second RBI with a single to centerfield.
Wyoma kept it going in the bottom of the third with three more runs. It started with McLaren’s RBI infield single. McLaren scored on the next play thanks to some savvy baserunning, scoring all the way from first on a single when Peabody decided to throw the ball to second base. Wyoma got another run after a throwing error, and the score was 8-1.
Peabody scored again in the top of the fourth on an RBI groundout by Desmond, then grabbed another run in the top of the sixth on Terrazzano’s RBI single.
It wasn’t enough, however, as Wyoma added a couple more insurance runs and Newhall closed the door to seal the win.
“It’s good to get a win, but we are just 1-0, and it’s only one game,” said Newhall. “But it was a good effort and we needed to get it under our belt. Hopefully we can continue this momentum into Friday.”
Wyoma will move on to play Marblehead on Friday, while Peabody will play East Lynn/West Lynn/Pine Hill in a loser’s bracket game this afternoon.
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Marblehead 8, Saugus 7
Saugus battled back from a 6-1 deficit to take a 7-6 lead into the top of the sixth inning, but it wasn’t enough to put Marblehead away in the District 16 softball tournament. Marblehead rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth and then held Saugus scoreless in the bottom of the inning to steal the win.
Leah Ventre pitched a great game on the mound for Saugus, tossing a complete game and striking out eight batters.
On the offensive side, Lanna Queiroz (2-for-4) and Nicole Stewart (2-for-3) each had two RBIs, while Madison Niles (2-for-4) had one RBI. Cat Schena also went 2-for-4 in the loss.
With the win, Marblehead moves on to face Wyoma in the second round on Friday. Saugus will face off against Salem in a loser’s bracket game this afternoon.
