Tawny Palmieri played for Peabody High when the Tanners made it to the Division 1 North quarterfinal. She doesn’t recall the team ever having gone further — either before she played, after she graduated, or until this year, now that she’s the coach.
But that’s where the Tanners will find themselves Tuesday night (7) at Martin Park in Lowell when they play Wachusett for the right to play in the Division 1 state final later this week.
The Tanners, whose only two losses this season came against Amesbury — two tight, well-pitched games — bring a relatively young team into this game. There are only two seniors, shortstop Emma Bloom and first baseman Gina Terranzzano, both of whom are captains.
“They have both been all-around leaders, on and off the field,” Palmieri said. “The way they are setting the tone will help us for years to come. I couldn’t ask for better kids.”
Palmieri doesn’t know much about Wahconah, except “that from what I’ve heard, it’ll be just like playing us. Which is good. You want to be able to say you beat the best.”
She has some knowledge of Wahconah’s pitcher, Rhode Island-bound junior Avery Vale-Cruz.
“I’ve heard she has a good rise ball and good speed,” she said. “She has a couple of pitches that move, and a decent off-speed pitch and changeup.”
However, she said, Peabody’s approach is basically the game-to-game: “We just tell our kids to pick their pitch and hit it.”
As for the Tanners, they have the Bettencourt battery: sophomore Abby on the mound and junior Isabel behind the plate — or, as Palmieri likes to call them sometimes, Dottie and Kit (a homage to “A League of Their Own”).
“Abby throws hard, consistently,” she said. “She’s a hard worker, and a good athlete. She has a lot of movement on her ball, and she’s not going to just serve on up there.”
Her sister, Palmieri said, is a vital component to the team.
“We are tough on our catchers,” she said. “We expect a lot out of them. Isabel has the perfect attitude. Physically, she’s one of the best catchers I’ve been able to coach. She has a good arm, blocks the ball well, and she’s very quick on bunts.”
Palmiero says Isabel is also Peabody’s second-best hitter.
Going around the horn, Terranzzano may be the No. 8 hitter in the lineup, but she leads the team in home runs with 8.
Peabody fans might recognize the name of second baseman Logan Lomasney. Her father, Steve, is one of the best players ever at Peabody and progressed to the Triple-A level with the Boston Red Sox.
“Her defense and baserunning is superb,” said Palmieri of her No. 7 hitter. “She can lay down a bunt and beat it out for a hit.”
Bloom, who hits second, “can handle the bat. She has a smart approach at the plate.”
Kiley Doolin, at third, the No. 6 hitter, “hits a lot of line drives and is excellent at working the count,” Palmieri said. “And she’s fearless, which is what you need over there.”
Cleanup hitter Penny Spack is in left, “and when she hits the ball it’s almost insane,” Palmieri said. “It’s almost like watching college kids.”
Avery Grieco, the No. 5 hitter, is in center, “and she’s an extremely athletic kid. Our whole outfield is quick.”
The flex player is Alanna Sweeney on the right.
“She can really track a fly ball,” Palmieri said. “She’s excellent, with a strong arm.”
Hitting for her in the lineup is Jessica Steed, who bats leadoff, who just returned to the lineup after being out three weeks with a broken wrist.
“Her first game was our last one against Newton North, and she had two hits,” Palmieri said.
