The Classical softball team opened its Florida trip Sunday with a 3-1 loss to South Carolina powerhouse Gilbert at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Despite the loss, the Rams have plenty to be proud about after going wire-to-wire with a talented opponent.
Brooke Warren tossed seven innings and allowed three hits, two earned runs and no walks. Warren tallied nine strikeouts.
Kayla Morrill and Isabella Saessler each went 1-for-3. Saessler, who recorded her first career varsity hit, scored Classical’s run. Madison Dana went 1-for-2 with a RBI.
“We battled with one of the best teams in their state,” Classical coach Erika Richard said. “They were playing their 15th game, we were playing our first. Brooke pitched a great game. She commanded the plate. The defense made plays to keep it 0-0 until the sixth inning. I just wish we scored earlier but I’m happy with how we started the season.”
Classical plays Noble (ME) Tuesday morning (8).
SOFTBALL
Gloucester 4, Saugus 0
Saugus hung tough with the Fishermen, down 1-0 through five innings, but Gloucester added three key insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal its win.
“We had to maintain our composure and we just didn’t,” Saugus coach Steve Almquist said. “We played solid defensively. Third baseman Leah Ventre made a lot of putouts. She played a great game. We just couldn’t do anything offensively.”
The Sachems had just one hit, junior Emily Creador’s single to right field in the top of the third.
Saugus stranded runners on second and third in the third inning.
“We couldn’t do anything to get any momentum,” Almquist said. “We tried to put down a couple bunts and they made the plays there. We didn’t execute. That’s too good a team at Gloucester. We made too many mistakes.”
Fishermen pitcher Sydney McKay pitched a complete game. McKay fanned seven Sachems. Saugus pitcher Caitlyn Wood pitched six innings and allowed one earned run on seven hits. Wood tallied two strikeouts .
The Sachems (1-1) are back on the diamond Wednesday (10) when they host Danvers in their home opener.
Krystle Campbell Tournament
The Swampscott girls softball team lost two games over the weekend in the Campbell Tournament in Medford. Swampscott lost to Medford, 9-4, Saturday. Katie Watts highlighted the defeat with two doubles in a 3-for-4 effort at the plate.
The Big Blue lost Sunday’s game, 9-3, to Billerica. Nicolette Fraser went 2-4 with a double and hit her first home run of the season. Emma Bragan logged her first career varsity hit.
Swampscott travels to Danvers Tuesday (4).
The tournament is named for Krystle Campbell, one of the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Methuen 5, Marblehead 3
The Magicians dropped their season opener at Methuen Friday.
Mercedez Pelletier went 3-for-4 to lead Marblehead’s offense, while Jolie Quintana went 2-for-4.
Magicians pitcher Charlotte Plakans pitched a solid game.
“Methuen’s an excellent team and highly-rated,” Magicians coach Johnny Gold said. “I was happy with the way we played. There were a lot of positives.”
Marblehead’s back on the diamond Tuesday afternoon (4) when the Magicians host Winthrop in their home opener.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Peabody 17, Dracut 2
On the road in a non-conference tilt, the Tanners cruised to victory and remain undefeated (4-0). Colleen Crotty powered Peabody’s offense with seven points. Other key offensive contributors were Hailee Lomasney (six points), Olivia Kiricoples (five points), Maddy Lomasney (three points), Amber Kiricoples (three points) and Catherine Manning (three points).
Hailey Baker and Kassidy Butt had one point each.
Defensively, Jordyn Collins, Alex Houlden. Sophie Izzo and Alyssa Saraceni played well.
Olivia Lavalle (six saves) and Katie Rice (three saves) split time in net.
The Tanners jump back into Northeastern Conference play Tuesday morning (11:30) when they host Medford in Peabody.
BASEBALL
Austin Prep 7, Bishop Fenwick 4
At Fenwick, errors doomed the Crusaders in a Catholic Central League loss. Fenwick dropped to 2-2 on the season, 1-1 in CCL play.
Pitcher Cory Bright earned the start for Fenwick and tossed 4 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts. Trey Deloury and Jake Miano followed in relief. At the plate, Deloury went 0-for-3 but collected two RBI. Leadoff hitter Angelo McCullough went 2-for-4 and scored two runs. Keegan O’Connor and Scott Emerson each went 1-for-3 with one RBI.
Fenwick aims to bounce back into the win column Tuesday morning (10) when the Crusaders travel to Pentucket.
