PEABODY — Behind a big offensive performance and a stellar day in the circle by Abby Bettencourt, the Peabody softball team rolled to a 16-0 win over Salem in five innings at Kiley Field Wednesday afternoon.
Bettencourt went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a two-run triple, but her performance on the mound was just as impressive. She tossed a complete game with 11 strikeouts, four hits and five walks.
“Bettencourt is one of the hardest working players on this team, and she does not give up,” said Peabody coach Tawny Palmieri. “One thing that really gives her an edge on the mound is the fact that her sister (Isabel Bettencourt) is behind the plate.”
Penny Spack also stepped up big for the Tanners, going 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in the first, defining the flow of the game.
Salem eighth-grader Liv Loux was a bright light for the Witches in what was a less than preferred outcome, going 2-for-3 with a single and a double. Barbara Rowley was also able to get on a base, going 1-for-3 with a single.
“There were a lot of positives and a lot of things that I’m really excited about,” said Salem coach Rich O’Leary. “We went up against one of the best pitchers in the state, and to have Liv get two hits was really impressive.”
Another thing Salem was proud of was its defense. Even though the scoreboard may not have reflected so, the girls were able to make some dynamic plays to get out of tight innings and make their way back to the plate.
“I’m honestly very proud of these kids and how well they played today,” said O’Leary. “Yeah, there were things that we need to work on, but they responded very well on defense. This is a young team. We only have one senior starting, the rest are freshmen, sophomores and even eighth-graders.”
For Peabody, its momentum just carried from the first pitch of the first inning to the final pitch of the fifth — never wavering. With every single person in the lineup notching at least one hit, these girls had a lot to be proud of.
“For us, we take every game seriously,” said Palmieri. “Every game is our most important, and we never underestimate our opponents. Salem is a great team, and we knew we couldn’t take them lightly.”
Salem (0-2) will try to bounce back Thursday (4:30) on the road at Swampscott.
Peabody (3-1) looks to continue its momentum Thursday (4:30) against Beverly on the road.
