The Lynn Senior Little League Softball All-Stars played a complete game Monday morning with stellar pitching, flawless defense and key contributions through the batting order. Lynn’s end result was a 12-1 win over Rhode Island at Worcester State’s Rockwood Field in the East Regional Tournament.
Lynn, 3-0, remains undefeated in the regional and has outscored its opponents 26-2 in the process.
“The girls are swinging the bats well,” Lynn manager Chad Wilkins said. “It’s all throughout the order. The girls are all contributing. It’s been a team effort. Our defense was phenomenal (Monday). We didn’t commit any errors, the pitching was great and the offense was there. That was a gritty Rhode Island team. That didn’t reflect in the score. We were just on (Monday).”
Pitcher Lily Newhall brought her A-game again. Newhall tossed all seven innings, allowing just four hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts.
“Lily really had her changeup working,” Wilkins said. “She kept it down in the zone and kept hitters off balance. Her fastball had some pop. She was really on. This might have been her best game in the tournament and that says a lot because she’s had a great tournament.”
Leadoff batter Julia Nickolau continues to set the table for Lynn’s offense. Nickolau scored three runs and went 3-for-4.
“Julia’s 5-for-11 in the tournament,” Wilkins said. “Even when she doesn’t get a hit, she hits the ball hard. She rarely strikes out. She struck out in her first at-bat during our first game and that’s it. She’s a great leadoff hitter. She hits the ball hard and she’s a menace on the bases. She’s a very good baserunner.”
Amanda Wilkins went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Wilkins delivered a bases-clearing triple in the top of the fifth to help put the game out of Rhode Island’s reach.
Riley Mannion and Emely Rodriguez each went 2-for-3. Newhall helped her own cause, going 1-for-3 with a run scored. Gianna Coito, Ava Foglietta and Anna Fringuelli (two runs) contributed with one base hit each.
With the win, Lynn clinches the top seed in “Pool A” and will play the No. 4 seed from “Pool B” in a single-elimination game Wednesday (1).
“The girls definitely feel good about themselves,” Wilkins said. “They know the road’s going to get tougher. There’s a lot of good talent in the other bracket. These girls are a good group and they don’t take anything for granted. We haven’t lost yet but the girls know there aren’t any easy wins here. The road’s only going to get tougher.”
The Lynners close the pool-play round Tuesday with a 10 a.m. tilt against Connecticut at Rockwood Field. Lynn defeated Connecticut 7-1 when the two teams met Saturday.
“They probably have the best pitcher we’ve seen in our bracket,” Wilkins said. “I expect a tough game. It was a 7-1 win but we scored four unearned runs on some throwing errors. You take those errors away and it’s a closer game. They’re a tough team. We expect a tough game.”
