PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
The Wyoma all-star softball team runs with their District 16 championship banner after beating Saugus on Monday.
By LILY DOOLIN
LYNN — Though the Wyoma little league softball team struggled in the opening innings, its players stayed composed and persevered to get the nail-biting victory over Saugus, 2-1, to win the District 16 championship.
“My girls, they hung in there the whole game,” said Wyoma manager Jay Newhall. “There wasn’t one inning where we gave up.”
This marks the second year in a row that Wyoma has brought home the title.
Even though the game was at Lynn Woods, Wyoma was designated as visitor Monday. It could get nothing going in the top of the first as Saugus pitcher Leah Ventre made quick work of the Wyoma hitters.
In its half of the first, Saugus came out hot, getting on base and using its speed to get runners in scoring position. However, Saugus couldn’t get the hit that might have given it the early lead.
Wyoma couldn’t get anything going in the top of the second either, as Ventre kept mowing the hitters down. She wasn’t overpowering, but Wyoma hitters couldn’t square up the ball.
Saugus finally broke through in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded, Lanna Queiroz singled home Cat Salvo, putting Saugus up 1-0.
Wyoma got a base runner to lead off the third, but Ventre came back to strike out two straight batters before getting the third on a fly out.
Though his team was frustrated, Newhall was happy with the way his players kept their composure.
“We were losing those first three innings,” said Newhall. “But I said to them, ‘let’s go out and win a couple of innings,’” said Newhall.
That’s just what Wyoma did. Pitcher Lily Newhall found her rhythm. Behind her, Sophia LeBert and Riley Mannion made nice plays in the field to keep Saugus from extending its lead.
“They went out and they bore down on Saugus,” Newhall said.
From then on, Wyoma took control of the game. Kalen Jennings hit a single, stole second, then came home on Kenzie McLaren’s base hit to tie the game at 1-1.
McLaren and first baseman Mannion then helped Newhall shut Saugus down, as Newhall set the side down in order in the bottom of the fourth. In the fifth inning, Wyoma finally broke through.
Amanda Tobin reached first and swiped two bases to get to third. She made it home on a base hit by Andrea Brazell.
With Wyoma up 2-1, Saugus was desperate to find a spark, but was held at bay the rest of the way.
“We paid attention, and we did the right things,” said Newhall. “We benefitted off their mistakes and stopped our own.
“I’m very happy for the girls. It’s been a great experience.”
Wyoma’s next stop is the state sectional, which begins Tuesday, July 5. Wyoma will play at home against the winner of District 7 at 5:30 p.m. The other two areas competing are District 11 and District 13, The sectional concludes Sunday, July 10, at Gonsalves Park in Woburn.
